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Hi Glenn,
I'm not sure what you're looking for exactly in terms of student  
opportunities... but I did want to tell you after your last email  
about Modeling Physics. It's a program based out of Arizona State  
University... lots and lots of physics research supports the idea of  
using models to teach physics. I took a three week summer class there  
two years ago on Modeling Mechanics and have been teaching physics  
with the modeling method for the last two years. It is phenomenal how  
my students' understanding of mechanics has changed as a result.  
There is an entire physics curriculum based on the modeling method.  
In more recent years, a chemistry modeling curriculum has been  
developed. And there are a few prototypes for modeling biology and  
geology in the works by teachers who have modeled physics and also  
teach earth science.
For more info, go here: http://modeling.asu.edu/
For access to the earth science modeling materials, you need to get  
into the participant resources, so you'll have to ask Jane Jackson  
(her contact info is at the bottom of the web page I listed) for  
special permission. Tell her why--if you're looking for a project for  
your graduate research, perhaps collaborating with the creator of the  
earth science modeling materials would be an excellent start.

After my post to this list about ideas for books to use next year, I  
ultimately decided that my main curricular materials for my high  
school geology class will be these earth science modeling materials,  
as they are most consistent with how I like to teach ALL of my classes.

I hope this helps.

Aloha,
Buffy Cushman-Patz
La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls



On Apr 3, 2008, at 1:37 AM, Glenn Dolphin wrote:

> Good morning all.
>
> I will be entering a Science Ed PhD program at Syracuse University in
> the fall 2008.  I was wondering if anyone has any leads on grad  
> student
> support opportunities.  My current research focuses on the history and
> nature of science (especially teaching the theory of plate tectonics
> form a historical perspective) and the use and development of  
> models in
> science and especially Earth Science teaching.  Any insight would be
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> flipper
> Earth Science teacher
> Earth Science DAL
> Union - Endicott High School
> Endicott, New York
>
> "Anyone can slay a dragon," he told me,
> "but try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again.
>
> That's what takes a real hero."
> Brian Andreas