HUNCon: Conference Agenda
2009 HUNCon, University of Houston-Downtown
Theme 1
The Gathering Storm:
Theme 2
Building STEM Communities:
Theme 3
STEM In the Classroom:
Theme 4
STEM Pedagogy
FRIDAY, February 20, 2009
Registration
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Continental Breakfast
9:00 am – 9:20 am
Opening Ceremonies
Keynote Address: Dr. Brad Hoge, Director of HUNSTEM – Connecting Houston’s Entire
Learning Community through Effective Cyberinfrastructure
(Auditorium)
Sessions
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Workforce Needs
and STEM Education
How Can HUNSTEM
Help You?
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
(Special Events
Center Area)
(White Oak Room)
Lunch – Keynote Speaker (TBA)
Lunch provided for all registered participants and guests
Houston’s Learning
Community –
Resources for
Collaboration
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Strategies and
Resources for
Hands-On Learning
(Auditorium)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
How Does the
Brain Work, and
How Can We
Teach So that
Students Will
Learn?
Informal Science
Education – How Can
We Work Together?
(Special Events
Center Area)
What Is
Constructivism
and Can It Really
Work in Today’s
Classroom?
(Auditorium)
Exhibits and Posters in the Special Events Areas
Visitors in the
Classroom – What
Do Teachers Need
from the Larger
Learning
Community?
(White Oak Room)
SATURDAY, February 21, 2009
8:00
am
–
Registration
noon
Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – 9:00 am
9:00
am
–
Exhibits and Posters in the Special Events Area
noon
9:00 am - 9:40 am
Work Solutions –
Looking to the
Future
(Auditorium)
HUNSTEM Workshop
– Rube Goldberg
Machines
(Special Events
Center Area)
RICE Science
Program TAKScopes
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
(White Oak Room)
HAM TMC Library Classroom
Resources from
the National
Library of
Medicine
Environmental
Educators
Exchange – How to
Teach Science
Outdoors
Break
9:40 am – 9:50 am
Workshops
9:50 am – 10:30 am
Learning About
Water
(Auditorium)
HUNSTEM Workshop
– Kitchen Chemistry
(Special Events
Center Area)
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
(White Oak Room)
HUNSTEM Workshop
- Caminalcules
UTHSC HEADS UP –
Immune System
HUNWiki –
Collaborating
Online
(Special Events
Center Area)
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
Break
10:30 am– 10:40 am
10:40 am – 11:20 am
Learning About
Energy
(Auditorium)
(White Oak Room)
Break
11:20 am – 11:30 am
11:30 am - 12:10 pm
Preparing for the
Science TAKS
(Auditorium)
12:40 – 3:40 pm
UTHSC HEADS UP –
Transgenic Mouse
HUNSTEM Workshop
– Hopscotch through
Geologic Time
(Special Events
Center Area)
Technology in the
Classroom
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
Afternoon Field Trips - see schedule
(brown bag lunch available with pre-registration)
HUNSTEM Lesson
Database – Keeping
Up with What’s Out
There
(White Oak Room)
Building a Better Learning Community for Houston
General Information
Registration in the UHD Academic Building, 3rd floor: Friday morning from 7-noon.
Welcome and orientation in the UHD auditorium: Friday morning at 9 a.m. Continental
breakfast is provided.
Keynote Presentation: “Connecting Houston’s Entire Learning Community through Effective
Cyberinfrastructure” – by Dr. Brad Hoge, Director of HUNSTEM
Sessions: Sessions will follow a variety of formats, include presentations followed by round
table discussion; interactive hands-on activities and demonstrations; Town Hall style discussions
and debate; panel discussions; and a “lesson plan potluck”. Read the Session Descriptions to see
which sessions will follow which format, and how each format will work.
All sessions will be mediated by STEM professionals and will provide hands-on learning
opportunities. Presentation and discussion topics will differ between sessions, but themes will be
repeated so that conference participants can participate in each theme.
Presentations and roundtable discussions depend on you! Come "put your words into action!"
Lunch will be provided for all registered guests and participants. A variety of sandwich and salad
choices will be available.
Saturday morning interactive workshops (concurrent) from 9:00 to noon.
Abstracts for workshops are included in the Program on pp 12-27.
Poster session from 9 a.m. Friday morning to noon Saturday: on topics in STEM, for everyone
in the STEM community (that includes all k-12 students, pre-service teachers, classroom
teachers, informal educators, etc.)
Exhibits in the UHDAcademic building from 9 a.m. Friday morning to noon Saturday
A list of exhibitors is included in the Program on pg 9.
Field Trips: Saturday afternoon from noon to 4 p.m. (box lunch provided for pre-registered field
trip participants, but everyone is welcome to join!)
A list of Field Trips is included in the Program on pg 10.
Directions to UHD:
From North I-45 – Take the I-10 / Downtown Houston exit and stay left to enter Downtown
Houston. Take the Milam Street entrance into Downtown and turn left on Commerce or Franklin.
Turn left from Commerce or Franklin onto Travis. Turn right from Travis on Girard St. Turn
right from Girard St. into the visitor parking lot.
From US 59 North and US 59 South – Take I-10 West from US 59 North or South. Take the
San Jacinto / Downtown exit from I-10 West. Turn right onto Wood St. from San Jacinto and
then left onto Girard St. just before Main Street. Take Girard past the UHD Police Station and
turn left into the visitor parking lot.
From I-10 East - Take the Milam Street entrance into Downtown and turn left on Commerce or
Franklin. Turn left from Commerce or Franklin onto Travis. Turn right from Travis on Girard St.
Turn right from Girard St. into the visitor parking lot.
From I-10 West - Take the San Jacinto / Downtown exit from I-10 West. Turn right onto Wood
St. from San Jacinto and then left onto Girard St. just before Main Street. Take Girard past the
UHD Police Station and turn left into the visitor parking lot.
Directions and Information Hotline: (713) 221-8289
Directions to the conference area from UHD entry points:
Main Street Entrance – if you are entering through the Main Street entrance, proceed to the end
of the hallway and turn left. This will bring you to the Academic Building which is where the
conference will be held. Proceed past the elevators and turn right to the auditorium and special
events area.
Visitors Parking Lot – if you are parked in the visitor lot, you will enter the building through
the elevators on the first floor. Take elevators to the 3rd floor. Proceed down the hallway to the
Academic Building which is where the conference will be held. Proceed past the elevators and
turn right to the auditorium and special events area.
South Deck – if you are entering the building from the South Deck, please enter through the
doors to the auditorium or cafeteria areas. Proceed to the registration area just outside of the
auditorium.
North Deck – if you are entering the building from the North Deck, enter the building through
the entrance opposite the Student Life Center. Proceed down the hall to your right to the main
hallway. Turn right at the main hallway and proceed to the end of the hall to the Academic
Building which is where the conference will be held. Proceed past the elevators and turn right to
the auditorium and special events area.
From the Drop Off Area – if you are being dropped off on Gerard Street near the UHD Police
Station, enter the building through the doors at the top of the steps leading to the Police Station
and take the elevator to the 3rd floor. Proceed down the hall to your right to the main hallway.
Turn right at the main hallway and proceed to the end of the hall to the Academic Building
which is where the conference will be held. Proceed past the elevators and turn right to the
auditorium and special events area.
Directions and Information Hotline: (713) 221-8289
Building a Better Learning Community for Houston
Session Descriptions
The Gathering Storm: Friday morning from 9:30 – 11:30
Workforce Needs and STEM Education (Kristina Hardwick, moderator)
A presentation on current trends in career needs and opportunities, including new data from the
Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC), and
WorkSolutions. A presentation from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
on the power of informal education, will also be incorporated.
The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.
The Gathering Storm: Friday afternoon from 1:30 – 3:30
Houston’s Learning Community – Resources for Collaboration (Alexia Bieniek, moderator)
Panel Discussion: Panelists representing STEM programs from around Houston will share
information about their programs and then answer questions from the audience. Particular
attention will be made to how these programs can help teachers in the classroom as well as
providing professional development and connections to informal science opportunities.
Panelists invited are:
Lawrence Spence, President of the Environmental Educator’s Exchange
Dr. Reagan Flowers, Director of CSTEM
Dr. Barbara Foots, Education Director of The Visual Realization Program
Xandra Earlie Williams, Program Director f of Secondary Science, Aldine ISD
Building STEM Communities: Friday morning from 9:30 – 11:30
How Can HUNSTEM Help You? (Dr. Brad Hoge, moderator)
A presentation of HUNSTEM, the Houston Urban Network for Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics focusing on how to use HUNSTEM to find resources, use learning
community tools, and find collaborations.
HUNSTEM is a learning community that includes schools, informal science institutions,
professional societies, and institutions of higher learning working together to promote STEM in
the Houston area. HUNSTEM brings a wealth of resources together through an interactive
gateway that is extensive, user-friendly, and quality controlled via the integration of national
(NCTM, 2000; NRC, 1996), state (TEKS), and local mathematics and science standards.
HUNSTEM is unique in its approach because it concentrates on community, not just on
providing STEM curricula, and because it fosters collaboration between all facets of the learning
community rather than just acting as liaison. HUNSTEM helps students, teachers, administrators
and families move freely between the far-flung resources of their schools, professional
organizations, and informal science centers. HUNSTEM is become a model for learning
community development for the entire nation. The HUNSTEM website includes portals for
teachers, parents, students, professional scientists and engineers, informal science educators, and
administrators. Each portal takes visitors to a myriad of resources.
Building STEM Communities: Friday afternoon from 1:30 – 3:30
Informal Science Education – How Can We Work Together? (Kristina Hardwick, moderator)
Demonstrations of activities available from Houston area informal science centers and STEM
organizations will be followed by a round table discussion about how classroom teachers can
best utilize informal science resources.
Invited participants include:
The Children’s Museum of Houston
The Health Museum
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Environmental Educators Exchange
The Houston GEOAlliance
The Greater Houston Energy Education Collaborative
STEM In the Classroom: Friday morning from 9:30 – 11:30
How Does the Brain Work and How Can We Teach So That Students Will Learn? (Dr. Jon
Aoki, moderator)
A presentation by Dr. Jon Aoki (UHD) will be followed by hands-on activities that demonstrate
how to apply current research in education and cognitive psychology into your lessons.
From How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School (NAP, 1999):
1.
2.
3.
Learning changes the physical structure of the brain.
These structural changes alter the functional organization of the brain; in other
words, learning organizes and reorganizes the brain.
Different parts of the brain may be ready to learn at different times.
STEM In the Classroom: Friday afternoon from 1:30 – 3:30
What is Constructivism and Can It Really Work in Today’s Classroom? (Dr. Jon Aoki,
moderator)
Hands-on activities which demonstrate various methods of PBL (project-based and problembased learning) will be followed by a round table discussion about how these teaching strategies
can be used in today’s classroom.
Including:
Houston Academy of Medicine Texas Medical Center (HAM TMC) Library
Harris County Public Library
Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the Geophysical Society of Houston
HUNSTEM
Environmental Educators Exchange
Science and Engineering Fair of Houston
Houston Geologic Society – Maps in the Classroom
Engineering, Science and Technology Council of Houston
STEM Pedagogy: Friday morning from 9:30 – 11:30
Strategies and Resources for Hands-On Learning (Alexia Bieniek, moderator)
A presentation on the current state of STEM education in Texas will be followed by a Town Hall
style Summit on current trends in STEM education and our needs for the future.
Topics will include:




A conversation about the new 4th year requirement for Science and Math
A comparison of the new TEKS to the previous TEKS.
A conversation about the recent deliberations concerning science education and the
TEKS at State Board of Education meetings.
And more!
STEM Pedagogy: Friday afternoon from 1:30 – 3:30
Visitors in the Classroom – What Do Teachers Need from the Larger Learning
Community? (Dr. Brad Hoge, moderator)
A panel discussion about how to connect teachers and students to the resources provided by
professional societies and other STEM organizations.
Panelists invited are: Dr. Brad Hoge, Director of HUNSTEM, Associate Director of the SEFH,
and current President of ECH
IEEE representative
SAME representative
SPE representative
Carolyn Sumners, HMNS
Building a Better Learning Community for Houston
Exhibits

Houston Academy of Medicine – Texas Medical Center Library

Harris County Public Library

Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the Geophysical Society of Houston

VNet World - providing affordable online course and content management for students,
teachers and organizations.

HUNSTEM

Environmental Educators Exchange

Science and Engineering Fair of Houston

Houston Geologic Society – Maps in the Classroom

Engineering, Science and Technology Council of Houston
Building a Better Learning Community for Houston
Field Trip Schedule
Rock Walk Through Downtown Houston (led by Dr. Brad Hoge)
The purpose of the “Rock Walk” is to learn about the rock cycle. We will see examples of each
type of rock; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. As we go from stop to stop, keep in mind
the story of these rocks, and of the earth itself. We will be traveling to the core of a batholith and
out. We will ride a subducting continental plate as it is subsumed into the earth’s mantle. We
will be resting calmly in seas and lagoons, lakes and hot springs, surrounded by sea life. We will
be buried and heated and pressed into new forms. And, we will be lifted up from the depth of the
abyssal plain to the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains.
Along the way, we will also see another lesson from geology, stratigraphy. We will discuss the
earth’s history in the rocks we see, but we can also explore Houston’s “City Stratigraphy”. We
will walk over tiles once adorning the floors of banks and hotels, now paved over for parking
lots. We will see the regression of store facades from the pressures of widening streets. We will
see pieces of Texas’ history imbedded in Houston’s building like the xenoliths we see in the
rocks adorning them.
I hope you are ready for the ride.
Docent led trips to:




Houston Academy of Medicine – Texas Medical Center Library
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Health Museum
Children’s Museum of Houston
Building a Better Learning Community for Houston
Workshop Abstracts (Nancy Easterly, coordinator)
8:00
am
–
Registration
noon
Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – 9:00 am
9:00
am
–
Exhibits and Posters in the Special Events Area
noon
9:00 am - 9:40 am
Work Solutions –
Looking to the
Future
(Auditorium)
HUNSTEM Workshop
– Rube Goldberg
Machines
(Special Events
Center Area)
Workshops
9:50 am – 10:30 am
Learning About
Water
(Auditorium)
HUNSTEM Workshop
– Kitchen Chemistry
(Special Events
Center Area)
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
(White Oak Room)
HAM TMC Library Classroom
Resources from
the National
Library of
Medicine
Environmental
Educators
Exchange – How to
Teach Science
Outdoors
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
(White Oak Room)
HUNSTEM Workshop
- Caminalcules
UTHSC HEADS UP –
Immune System
HUNWiki –
Collaborating
Online
(Special Events
Center Area)
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
Break
10:30 am– 10:40 am
10:40 am – 11:20 am
Learning About
Energy
(Auditorium)
(White Oak Room)
Break
11:20 am – 11:30 am
11:30 am - 12:10 pm
Preparing for the
Science TAKS
(Auditorium)
HUNSTEM Workshop
– Hopscotch through
Geologic Time
(Special Events
Center Area)
Technology in the
Classroom
(Buffalo Bayou
Room)
Afternoon Field Trips - see schedule
(brown bag lunch available with pre-registration)

RICE Science
Program TAKScopes
Break
9:40 am – 9:50 am
12:40 – 3:40 pm
UTHSC HEADS UP –
Transgenic Mouse
Workshops may be added, and all workshops are subject to change.
HUNSTEM Lesson
Database – Keeping
Up with What’s Out
There
(White Oak Room)
Workshop Abstracts - Table of Contents:
Page
Attack of the transgenic mouse! Providing Cutting-Edge
Genetics Research for Your Students
15
HAM-TMC Library (Academy of Medicine -- Texas Medical
Center)
16
The Immune System & Infectious Diseases: Providing Cutting-Edge
Research for Your Students
17
Technology in the Classroom
18
TAKScopes.com is a K-5th grade online science curriculum designed
to help science teachers.
19
Environmental Educator’s Exchange
20
HUNWiki
21
HUNSTEM Lesson Database
20
HUNSTEM Workshop – Cartoon Laws of Physics
22
HUNSTEM Workshop – Kitchen Chemistry
23
HUNSTEM Workshop – Rube Goldberg Machines
24
HUNSTEM Workshop – Hopscotch through Geologic Time
25
Work Solutions – Looking to the Future
26
Learning About Water
27
Learning About Energy
28
Preparing for the Science TAKS
29
Attack of the transgenic mouse! Providing Cutting-Edge Genetics Research for Your Students
Health Education And Discovering Science while Unlocking Potential (HEADS UP) brings
cutting-edge health science to middle and high school classrooms with videos and classroom
activities all aligned with National Science Education Standards and Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills (TEKS) in Science, Math, Health, and/or Career Orientation. HEADS UP is made
possible by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Center for
Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health and is produced through collaboration of
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and numerous partners including
Project GRAD Houston and Spring Branch ISD. HEADS UP is a project designed to excite
students about science and health science careers!
This workshop will highlight the HEADS UP Advanced Genetics module that explores the latest
discoveries in the field of genetics and the exciting world of regenerative medicine. Topics
include gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and animal models (transgenic and knock-out), plus
ethical and policy-making considerations that influence what science can do. Designed by
researchers and teachers for pre-AP 8th graders and high school biology students, materials
feature award-winning videos with student and scientist role models that introduce basic content,
classroom activities that expand upon video topics, enrichment activities, attention-grabbing
graphics, and more. A variety of science careers are highlighted with brief video biographies of
researchers and other science professionals. Workshop participants will be given a sneak peek at
the videos and be guided through materials and classroom activities featured in the module.
Module titles include:
Genes, Health & You provides introduction to basic genetics concepts
Advanced Genetics (see workshop description below)
Diabetes/Cardiovascular Disease provides overview of the diseases and illustrates how body
systems work together
Nutrition/Physical Activity provides overview of the digestive system and introduces concepts
such as Go-Slow-Whoa foods, Nutrition Facts Labels, target heart rate, BMI
The Nervous System highlights the structure and function of one body system
The Immune System & Infectious Diseases examines the structure and function of the body’s
natural defense system in response to pathogens and provides an overview of biological safety
level laboratories and the importance of biodefense research
Research Evaluation Results
In a quasi-experimental matched comparison study involving a three-year prospective cohort of
primarily Hispanic inner-city middle school students, HEADS UP demonstrated significant
increases in Stanford 10 Achievement scores in science and interest in science.
Nathalie Sessions
HEADS UP Project Director │ Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living │
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston │ School of Public Health │
1200 Herman Pressler, RAS W910 │ Houston, Texas 77030 │ PHONE 713.500.9350 │ FAX 713.500.9329 │
www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/headsup/
HAM-TMC Library (Academy of Medicine -- Texas Medical Center)
Classroom Resources from the National Library of Medicine
The National Library of Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provides
and maintains a number of databases, websites, and online exhibitions which have applications
and relevance for teachers and students. NLM is the world’s largest biomedical library and
creator of MEDLINE®. Resources in biology, chemistry, genetics, consumer health, the history
of medicine, and careers in medicine are available for all grade levels. Many resources are
particularly relevant to middle and high school students and teachers. NLM provides FREE
access to all resources, with no login or user information required for access. The workshop will
spotlight several of these resources through demonstration and handout materials. Visit the
exhibit booth to learn more about NLM’™s superior information services. This presentation will
be given by the Houston Academy of Medicine--Texas Medical Center Library.
Cheryl Rowan
Information Services
HAM-TMC Library
1133 John Freeman Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
713.799.7154
The Immune System & Infectious Diseases: Providing Cutting-Edge Research for Your
Students
Health Education And Discovering Science while Unlocking Potential (HEADS UP) brings
cutting-edge health science to middle and high school classrooms with videos and classroom
activities all aligned with National Science Education Standards and Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills (TEKS) Science, Math, Health, and/or Career Orientation. HEADS UP is made
possible by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Center for
Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health and is produced through collaboration of
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and numerous partners including
Project GRAD Houston and Spring Branch ISD. HEADS UP is a project designed to excite
students about science and health science careers!
This workshop will highlight the HEADS UP Immune System & Infectious Diseases module
that examines the structure and function of the body’s natural defense system in response to
pathogens. Topics include Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA, Lassa fever, an overview of biological
safety level laboratories and the importance of biodefense research. Designed by researchers and
teachers for middle and high school students, materials consist of videos with student and
scientist role models that introduce basic content, classroom activities that expand upon video
topics, enrichment activities, attention-grabbing graphics, and more. A variety of science careers
are highlighted with brief video biographies of researchers and other science professionals.
Workshop participants will be given a sneak peek at the videos and be guided through materials
and classroom activities featured in the module.
Module titles include:
Genes, Health & You provides introduction to basic genetics concepts
Advanced Genetics explores gene and stem cell therapies, animal models, ethics and policy
Diabetes/Cardiovascular Disease provides overview of the diseases and illustrates how body
systems work together
Nutrition/Physical Activity provides overview of the digestive system and introduces concepts
such as Go-Slow-Whoa foods, Nutrition Facts Labels, target heart rate, BMI
The Nervous System highlights the structure and function of one body system
The Immune System & Infectious Diseases (see workshop description below)
Research Evaluation Results
In a quasi-experimental matched comparison study involving a three-year prospective cohort of
primarily Hispanic inner-city middle school students, HEADS UP demonstrated significant
increases in Stanford 10 Achievement scores in science and interest in science.
Nathalie Sessions
HEADS UP Project Director │ Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living │
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston │ School of Public Health │
1200 Herman Pressler, RAS W910 │ Houston, Texas 77030 │ PHONE 713.500.9350 │ FAX 713.500.9329 │
www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/headsup/
Technology in the Classroom
Technology in the Classroom includes six online presentations starting with the very basics and
building to fully integrating technology into science curricula.

Computer Basics

Web Basics

Presentations in the Classroom

Using Technology in the Classroom

Integrating Technology into Your Curriculum

Project-Based Learning
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
TAKScopes.com is a K-5th grade online science curriculum designed to help science teachers.
Each learning concept is identified as a SCOPE focusing on a specific TEKS student
expectation. TAKScopes.com online learning experiences use the 5E method of teaching
science. Teachers ENGAGE students in the topic, then students EXPLORE, EXPLAIN, and
ELABORATE while teachers EVALUATE student learning through diverse forms of
assessment.
TAKScopes.com online learning experiences provide many activities within every SCOPE as
follows. Lesson Outline, Lesson Presentation, Teacher Background, Materials List, Internet
Resources, Intervention. Each E of the SCOPE provides activities closely aligned to the
elementary science TEKS as follows: Engage: hands-on activity, presentation; Explore: teacher
guide, observation rubric, student guide, student journal, set, set up video; Explain: question
prompts, picture vocabulary, concept cards, flash animation; Elaborate: inquiry activity, reading
passages, extension activities, books on topic, concept builder; and Evaluate: TAKS assessment,
writing prompts, and interactive reviews.
Teachers now have the ability to access TEKS specific hands-on activities and view “how to”
implementation videos on those activities. How-To (HT) Videos show teachers step-by-step
setups of each EXPLORE hands-on activity as well as how to create student projects.
Professional Development (PD) Videos allow teachers to learn about best practices and strategies
for effective science instruction in important domains such as inquiry-bases questioning,
assessment, and literacy. Teachers learn how TAKScopes.com components can be used to
accomplish the goal of increasing science achievement for all students.
Mary Jo Parker
Rice University – School Science & Technology
6100 Main St. MS 147, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 482-7305
mparker@rice.edu
Environmental Educator’s Exchange
EEE’s purpose is to provide a network and forum for anyone interested or with expertise in the
environment, natural history, ecology, local environmental issues and especially environmental
education in order to facilitate discussion, exchange of ideas, methods, information and events
related to environmental education in the Greater Houston Area.
EEE accomplishes these goals through:
Publications: Member e-mail network pertaining to environmental education.
Speakers Bureau: EEE is a network of environmental educators. If you are in need of a speaker
we may be able to help you locate one.
Regular Meetings: EEE members meet at different venues throughout the year to share
information and enjoy what each member institution and organization has to offer.
Lawrence Spence, President
2112 Crockett Street
Houston, TX 77007
(281) 684-0288
Lawrence_spence@yahoo.com
HUNWiki
HUN Wiki is an interactive lesson development tool. We have listed lesson plans for each age
level of 13 TEKS strands. I've placed templates in each strand along with the lessons. You can
edit an existing lesson or start from scratch. You can edit the template page to create a new
lesson, and save it by putting a link to it here. You can also add a lesson you've already
developed and get feedback. We keep adding more lessons we develop here at UHD, and others
sent to us from all over. The list will keep growing, so check back often.
Links for High School lessons are listed after the 13 strands for K-8. Here are the strands for
Elementary Grades and Middle School:











Science Inquiry
Properties and Patterns
Systems
Types of Change
Living Organisms and Nonliving Objects
Living Organisms and Basic Needs
The Natural World
Physical Properties of Matter
Adaptations of Organisms
Energy and the Environment
Here are the lessons by topic for High School:






Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Earth Science
To save a new lesson, put a link on the template. Remember to include the Group name along
with your new title. Help with using the wiki can be found by clicking edit and scrolling to the
bottom of the page for Basic Editing and Text Formatting Rules. Clicking on Basic Editing will
open a new window with guidelines for editing and adding new pages, so you can work on your
entry and still refer to the guidelines.
If we work together, we can create a dynamic resource for effective STEM lessons. Let's Wiki!
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
HUNSTEM Lesson Database
We've put together some of our favorite sites for multimedia resources and lessons on the web.
All of our links to lesson plans are listed by subject: Click on these links to go directly to the
subject you're looking for:
Life Science
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Math
Physical Science
Environmental Science
Technology
Our multimedia resources are listed on the right, or organized by type in our HUNSTEM
MultiMedia Bank.
We've scoured the web and worked with our partners to bring together a lot of great videos, too.
You can find links to great videos from many sources at our HUNSTEM Video Bank.
We also want to provide access to other types of resources, such as videos and podcasts. Check
out the sidebar to find the ones we've picked so far.
We'll keep looking for great lessons, and we'll keep adding ones that we develop or find from
local teachers.
Send us your lessons, and we'll add them to the list!
We'll even come to your school and do a hands-on lesson! We can do hands-on lessons for any
subject and any age level. Just send us an e-mail to schedule a visit.
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
HUNSTEM Workshop – Cartoon Laws of Physics
Cartoons are funny because they defy common sense. This is especially funny when we are
young because we are struggling to verify our understanding of our experiences in the natural
world, so when we see the violation of the “real” laws of physics as we experience them, that’s
funny. Learning more about physics, should only increase our appreciation of cartoons and
allow us to experience them all over again. In this exercise, we will see many examples of
“cartoon laws of physics”, those violations of “real” physics that can only exist in animation.
Each “cartoon law of physics” represents a violation of a “real” law of physics. Your challenge
is to spot the “cartoon” law and relate it to the “real” law. Thhhhaaaaaat’s all folks! So let’s
begin!
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
HUNSTEM Workshop – Kitchen Chemistry
Hands on lessons to take with you:
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Alka-Seltzer Rocket
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Balloon on a Bottle
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Cloud Chamber
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Egg Suck
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Salt Lava Lamp
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Oobleck
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Gak
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
HUNSTEM Workshop – Rube Goldberg Machines
The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC) brings the ideas of Pulitzer Prize-winning artist
Rube Goldberg's "invention" cartoons to life. This Olympics of Complexity is designed to pull
students away from conventional problem-solving and push them into the endless chaos of
imagination and intuitive thought. To be specific, groups are given an elementary challenge:
something as simple as peeling an apple, sharpening a pencil, or putting toothpaste on a
toothbrush. But instead of just "solving" the problem, students have to make the solution as
complicated and as convoluted as possible. In fact, the more steps the better the Rube Goldberg
Machine. And what a machine! An assemblage of ordinary objects, mechanical gadgets, and the
oddest odds and ends are linked together and somehow get to the desired goal.
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
HUNSTEM Workshop – Hopscotch through Geologic Time
Assign each of the following time periods to groups of 3 (you may need to assign more than on
time period to a group):
Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic, Jurassic,
Cretaceous, Tertiary, Quaternary
Have each group research their time period/s and produce squares for a hopscotch game. They
can draw, cut and paste, or write information into their squares. Each group should try to find the
information and illustrations that best describe that time period.
Once all groups have completed their squares, lay them out on the floor in this pattern:
Quaternary
Tertiary
Triassic
Jurassic
Cretaceous
Permian
Carboniferous
Silurian
Devonian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Have each member of the class toss a rock onto the squares, hop to that spot and describe the
time period. Each member of the class should play at least twice.
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
Work Solutions – Looking to the Future
Houston’s underserved communities will provide the workforce of the future. Our ability to
educate them and inform them of the career opportunities ahead of them is crucial to our future
as well as theirs.
Did You Know:
HOUSTON FACTS
Number 1 Rankings
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Best Hospitals for Cancer Care: M. D. Anderson (U.S. News and World Report - July 2007)
Largest Immigrant Communities in the United States (Center for an Urban Future: A World of Opportunity
- April 2007)
Number of Overall Building Permits (Demographia - March 2007)
Number of Single Unit Building Permits (Demographia - March 2007
Top 10 Rankings
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2007 Aerospace Award for Excellence (Expansion Solutions Magazine- December 2007)
Top 10 Cities for Hispanics (Hispanic Magazine - November 2007)
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Global WiFi Usage (Houston Business Journal - September 2007)
“One of America’s Best Hospitals” – Methodist Hospital (U.S. News & World Report – July 2007)
Total Land Devoted to Parks (Trust for Public Land - July 2007)
Green Space (Trust for Public Land - July 2007)
Top Ten Cities for African Americans (Black Enterprise - May 2007)
Top 50 Big Cities for Family Relocation (Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocations LLC - April 2007)
Top Ten Underrated U.S. Cities (MSNBC.Com - April, 2007)
Most Hispanic-Owned Businesses in the United States (Center for an Urban Future: A World of
Opportunity - April 10, 2007)
Most Asian-Owned Businesses in the United States (Center for an Urban Future: A World of Opportunity April, 2007)
Total County Population (U.S. Bureau of the Census - March, 2007)
Total Metropolitan Area Population (U.S. Bureau of the Census - March 2007
2006 Top 10 Metros for New and Expanded Facilities (Site Selection - March 2007)
Top Ten Cities for Green Technology Innovation (by: SustainLane - March 2007)
Job Growth (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - March 2007)
2007 list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” – Methodist Hospital System (FORTUNE, 2007)
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Let’s Work Together!
Kristina Hardwick
Science Education and Training Consultant
tngeducation@aim.com
Learning About Water
Why should we learn about water?
Why is water education important for the Houston – Galveston area?
Why is water education important for America?
Why is water education important for your students?
How can we teach about water?
Water education includes:
o Why learn about water
o Water basics
o Water processes
o Water issues
o Water careers
o Water education
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
Learning About Energy
Why should we learn about energy?
Why is energy education important for Houston?
Why is energy education important for America?
Why is energy education important for your students?
How can we teach about energy?
Energy education includes:
o Why learn about energy
o Oil and gas
o Chemistry
o Power
o Process technology
o Alternative energy
o Energy education
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
Preparing for the Science TAKS
How to find resources to help your students prepare for the TAKS. This presentation is organized
into the following TAKS topics:
The Nature of Science
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Safety
Asking good questions
Planning and implementing an investigation
Collecting and analyzing data
Making valid conclusions
Apply critical thinking skills
The Organization of Living Things
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Cellular processes and function
Structure of DNA
Genetics
Protein synthesis
Variation in plants and animals
Classification and taxonomy
Human systems
Organisms and the Environment
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Bacteria
Viruses
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selectino
Ecology
Structures and Properties of Matter
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Properties of matter
Law of conservation of mass
Physical and chemical changes
Rules of solubility
Structure of water and water’s special properties
Motion, Forces, and Energy
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Newton’s laws
Energy
Heat
Waves and the electromagnetic spectrum
Circuits
Dr. Brad Hoge
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main St., Ste N725, Houston, TX 77002-1001
(713) 221-8289
hogeb@uhd.edu
Moderator Bios:
Dr. Brad Hoge
Dr. Brad Hoge is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at the University of HoustonDowntown. He has a Ph.D. in biogeochemistry and paleoecology from Rice University, and an
M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction Texas A&M. He teaches science education, physical
science, geology, and biology at the University of Houston Downtown. He’s taught at every age
level at one point in his life or another, including preK, elementary, middle and high school. He
also worked at The Children’s Museum of Houston where he was curator for the Magic School
Bus Inside the Earth exhibit. He was a full-time parent for nine years, and he’s a poet, by hobby.
This eclectic background gives him a unique perspective on science education, and he’s not shy,
so you never know what you'll hear from him.
Dr. Jon Aoki
In science education my research interests include the application of inquiry into the classroom
and the pedagogical training of faculty. Inquiry is at the forefront of the science education reform
movement. I am currently teaching the NS 3312 course (Life Science Studies). This is a biology
content course aimed at junior and senior level elementary school pre-service teachers. With
respect to biology, I have an interest in small mammal ecology with particular emphasis on the
foraging ecology of rodents. Population dynamics, food habits, and GIS modeling often make up
this type of research.
Ms. Kristina Hardwick
Kristina has worked offshore and at the bottom of the ocean. Her extensive portfolio of work
includes the conceptual design for MOLU: Mobile Offshore Learning Units traveling exhibits
and the master plan for the Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum. She is the author of "Project
Energy: Expanding Energy Education" and "Earth’s Energy: The Science of Offshore Drilling".
Her environmental education program designs have been featured in Newsweek ("Getting an
Early Start: Eco-education Doesn't Have to be Expensive") and in Science and Children
("Environmental Education Saves the Day"). She has been a speaker/presenter at a wide variety
of events including the first ever International Association of Drilling Contractors Environmental
Conference in Stavanger, Norway and the Women's Global Leadership Conference in Energy
and Technology in Houston, Texas.Her awards and recognition include the Educational
Excellence Award from the Engineering Council of Houston, World Oil Award as part of the
Greater Houston Energy Education Collaborative, Louisiana Environmental Interagency
Commission founding membership and six Army Commendation Medals.
Ms. Alexia Bieniek
Alexia is a multi-talented and dynamic educator with vast experience in Texas education. She is
the past president of the Texas Earth Science Teachers Association and past president of the
Houston Gem & Mineral Society. She is the author of “Status of Earth Science Education in
Texas” and is very involved in recent discussions concerning earth science education in Texas.
Ms. Nancy Easterly
Nancy Easterly is an adjunct professor at Lone Star College-North Harris who teaches a
conceptual physics class for non-majors. She taught high school physics at Cypress Creek HS in
Cy-Fair ISD for 26 years. During this time she brought technology into the physics laboratory
program across the district. She also partnered with pre-calculus teachers to device crosscurriculum physics and math technology-based lessons. After retiring from public high school
teaching she taught at University of Houston-Downtown as an adjunct professor in the
Department of Natural Sciences. Her physical science class was specially designed to meet the
needs of elementary science teachers. She was also part of the group of teachers that designed
some of the toys in space experiments for space shuttle missions.
As part the American Association of Physics Teachers, Nancy is a select member of the national
group of Physics Teaching Resource Agents (PTRAs). She is available for conducting
workshops for high school physics and physical science teachers. Her love for physics and
education spans over 30 years. Nancy has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan
University and a Masters of Education from Texas A&M University. She has received several
teaching awards locally, statewide and nationally.
Speaker Bios:
Dr. Brad Hoge
Dr. Brad Hoge is an Assistant Professor of Science Education at the University of HoustonDowntown. He has a Ph.D. in biogeochemistry and paleoecology from Rice University, and an
M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction Texas A&M. He teaches science education, physical
science, geology, and biology at the University of Houston Downtown. He’s taught at every age
level at one point in his life or another, including preK, elementary, middle and high school. He
also worked at The Children’s Museum of Houston where he was curator for the Magic School
Bus Inside the Earth exhibit. He was a full-time parent for nine years, and he’s a poet, by hobby.
This eclectic background gives him a unique perspective on science education, and he’s not shy,
so you never know what you'll hear from him.
TBA