STEM Education Program

CRYOCONN

Bring the magic of winter into your classroom (January 29-31, 2009).
Learn about the the physics of the snow pack and snow crystal formation, outdoor research activities for students, and fun new technologies that will spark both student and teacher.
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Video

Press Release

January 27 2009

Juneau Economic Development Council

Cryosphere Connections & Winter Science

Professional Development Workshop for State's Teachers

The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education and supports programs to better prepare young people for careers in technical fields. Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) which promotes economic development state-wide is pleased to announce the Cryosphere Connection, a Professional Development workshop for Alaska's teachers. Over twenty Alaskan Middle and High School science teachers from across the State will be attending a three day event being held at Chena Hot Springs beginning January 29, 2009. Schools planning to send teachers to the workshop include: Floyd Dryden, Valdez, Polaris, Chugiak, SAVE, Dimond, Wendler, Home School, Hutchison, Randy Smith, West Valley, Effie Kokrine, Tri-Valley, Barrow, Bethel, and Selawik.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide an opportunity for teachers to be able to work alongside scientists from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The workshop builds on NASA's History of Winter (HOW) program, adding Alaska specific research and expertise. The curriculum includes the Global Snowflake Network, Thermochron Mission, ice core and thin ice section sampling, examination of the physical properties of snow and ice, life on and under the snow, and the role of the cryosphere in earth's climate system. The teachers will learn about the physics of the snow pack and snow crystal formation, develop curriculums for outdoor research activities for students, and new technologies that that are both fun and exciting.

This workshop and others throughout the State are possible through the US Department of Defense's funding of JEDC's SpringBoard program. To learn more about JEDC and SpringBoard, please visit our websites at www.jedc.org www.springboard.org

For more information contact: Barbara K. Schetter at 907-523-2338 bschetter@jedc.org