Saskatchewan Science Network

Professional Development for Teachers

Mathematics and Science Teacher Associations

Saskatchewan Science Teachers' Society (SSTS)
SSTS' objectives are to: (1) to improve the quality of instruction and the level of teacher competence, (2) to improve practice in the teaching of the natural sciences by increasing members’ knowledge and understanding of science, (3) to act as a clearinghouse for ideas and a source of information of trends and new ideas, (4) to be involved in the continuous development of curricula, implementation and evaluation, and (5) to furnish recommendations and advice to the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation Executive and its committees on matters affecting the teaching of sciences.
http://ssc.stf.sk.ca/ssts/index.html

Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers' Society (SMTS)
The purpose of the SMTS is to foster excellence in mathematics education in elementary, middle, secondary, and post-secondary education institutions. The objectives of the SMTS are to: (1) promote excellence in the teaching and learning of mathematics, (2) contribute to the development and implementation of mathematics curricula which reflects current trends in mathematical education, (3) increase public and professional recognition of the need for improved numerary and, as a consequence, the need for improved teaching of mathematics, (4) represent teachers of mathematics in matters concerning mathematics education, (5) act as a clearinghouse for information about new developments in mathematics education.
www.smts.ca

Conferences,Symposiums & Workshops

Alberta Ingenuity Summer Institute in Biogeoscience Education
The Alberta Ingenuity Summer Institute in Biology Education is a professional development program providing biology teachers the opportunity to work with internationally recognized ecologists and science teacher educators to develop innovative ecology education resources for High School Biology, Geology, or Environmental Sciences Program of Studies. The program consists of an 8-day summer institute (plus 2 travel days), wherein participants have an opportunity to work in the field with leading scientists to learn about current biogeoscience research regarding climate change and headwater streams of the Canadian Rockies and Foothills.
http://bgs.ucalgary.ca/workshops/AISIBE/program/

ASSIST
The aim of the ASSIST Institutes is to increase excellence in science education in Saskatchewan schools. This is achieved by providing in-service training of Saskatchewan teachers and students through annual, intensive, technology focused, one-week summer institutes. ASSIST is offered yearly, alternating between Saskatoon and Regina.
http://ssc.stf.sk.ca/ssts/assist.html

Below Zero
Below Zero is a fun, hands-on resource based, instructional Activity Guide, supplementary to the K-12 curriculum. Below Zero is a completely Canadian companion guide to Project WILD and focuses on the survival strategies of species during the Canadian winter, as well as exploring characteristics of the snow and ice environment. Like Project WILD, it is suitable for students in multi-level classrooms, is based on co-operative learning and suits a variety of student learning styles. Educators receive a free 194 page Below Zero Activity Guide with 46 new lesson plans in a half to one-day professional development workshop. Below Zero is offered through a partnership between the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Contact:
Environmental Education Unit - Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Park Plaza
Suite 420 - 2365 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 4K1
Tel: (306) 787-5242 or (306) 787-0918
Fax: (306) 787-0780
E-mail: ProjectWILD@swa.ca
www.swa.ca/WatershedEducation/ProjectWild.asp

Canadian Light Source, Synchrotron Summer Workshop for Teachers
This three day workshop provides teachers with a deeper understanding of synchrotron research, and explores how to incorporate these concepts into the classroom to stimulate student interest in science. Through hands on participation in experiments, scientific presentations, and interactive discussion with CLS scientists, Canada Research Chairs, and fellow educators, this workshop provides teachers with knowledge about current synchrotron research that can be incorporated into classroom activities and connected with curriculum objectives. It is the first step to bringing your students into the facility to participate in world class scientific research. Scheduled for early August annually.
www.lightsource.ca/education/teacherworkshop

National Bioscience Educators' Conference - Canadian Biotechnology Education Resource Centre (CBERC)
This conference will provide an opportunity for secondary school science teachers to hear from some of Canada’s leading bioscience researchers and to learn about activities and programs that will help with their delivery in the classroom. Laboratory workshop sessions will permit participants to gain some experience in performing lab activities that complement the current educational curriculum. Information about academic and career choices for students will be highlighted.
www.cberc.ca

Native Prairie Curriculum Project: Unit 1 - Native Prairie Plants
The Native Prairie Curriculum units are being designed to directly match the provincial science curriculum for plants, animals, habitats and ecosystems. These lessons help young students identify and appreciate native prairie plants, wildlife and landscapes. They contribute to an understanding of prairie stewardship. The first complete unit, including five complete lesson plans with multiple activities, all necessary student pages, teacher references and Wildlife Cards is available to be downloaded free of charge at the website listed below. Unit 2 – Native Prairie Plants is currently being completed. These units build upon and make reference to related lesson plans in Project WILD and Project WET.
Contact:
Environmental Education Unit - Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Park Plaza
Suite 420 - 2365 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 4K1
Tel: (306) 787-5242 or (306) 787-0918
Fax: (306) 787-0780
E-mail: ProjectWILD@swa.ca
www.swa.ca/WatershedEducation/NativePrairieCurriculum.asp

Project WILD Saskatchewan
Project WILD is a fun, hands-on, resource based, instructional resource Activity Guide, supplementary to the K-12 curriculum. Project WILD meets the needs of students with differing learning abilities and learning styles, and is well suited for use in multi-level classrooms. Educators receive a free 462 page Project WILD Activity Guide, with 121 complete lesson plans, through a one day Project WILD professional development workshop. Project WILD Saskatchewan is a partnership program of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
Contact:
Environmental Education Unit - Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Park Plaza
Suite 420 - 2365 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 4K1
Tel: (306) 787-5242 or (306) 787-0918
Fax: (306) 787-0780
E-mail: ProjectWILD@swa.ca
www.swa.ca/WatershedEducation/ProjectWild.asp

Project WET Saskatchewan
Project WET is a fun, hands-on resource based, instructional resource Activity Guide, supplementary to the K-12 curriculum. Project WET is complementary to Project WILD and focuses on safe drinking water, wise management of resources including sustainable development in watersheds, climate change and the physical and chemical properties of water. Project WET is well suited for use in multi-level classrooms and meets the needs of students with differing learning abilities and learning styles. Educators receive a free 517 page Project WET Activity Guide, with 91 complete lesson plans and mini-units, through a one day Project WET professional development workshop. Project WET Saskatchewan is a partnership program of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, the Ministry of Education and the Canadian Water Resources Association, Saskatchewan Branch.
Contact:
Environmental Education Unit - Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Park Plaza
Suite 420 - 2365 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 4K1
Tel: (306) 787-5242 or (306) 787-0918
Fax: (306) 787-0780
E-mail: ProjectWET@swa.ca
www.swa.ca/WatershedEducation/ProjectWet.asp

Saskatchewan 1905-2005 Guide for Teachers – Lesson Plans and Resources
As part of the Western Development Museum’s newest exhibits, Winning the Prairie Gamble, we have incorporated a variety of science related themes including weather, natural resources, transportation, and agriculture. Corresponding curriculum based lesson plans for each of these themes (and many more) can be found in our Saskatchewan 1905-2005 Guide for Teachers. This Guide contains four lesson plans per theme, links to relevant resources, and lists of fast facts that focus on the Saskatchewan connection. It is available in all Saskatchewan school libraries, for sale at WDM locations, and online. Hands-on programming for each theme is also available at all WDM museum locations. Booking is required for all museum programs.
Contact:
Education/Extension Division - Western Development Museum
Tel: (306) 934-1400
Fax: (306) 934-4467
Email: lnewman@wdm.ca or kmontgomery@wdm.ca
http://www.wdm.ca/EdPrograms/educationprograms.htm

Sciematics
Sciematics is a provincial conference for Science and Mathematics teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Sciematics is offered every second year (alternating between Saskatoon and Regina), and is hosted by the Saskatchewan Science Teachers’ Society and the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers’ Society.
www.sciematics.com

Saskatchewan Mining Association: Teachers' Tour and Teachers' In-Service
For details please call (306) 757-9505.

Other Organizations

Knowledge and Education Exchange Network (KEEN)

KEEN was formed in 2002 and is currently a small group of educators and researchers from diverse disciplines such as Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics and Physics.
KEEN has been organizing some workshops and symposia over the last two years. The workshops bring educators together where they discuss discipline-specific educational topics of mutual interest. The symposia are meant to showcase all disciplines to young students and to motivate them to identify themselves the subjects of their interest and pursue them.

To date, KEEN has been meeting at the U of S faculty club over coffee, snacks or a drink. KEEN intends to organize into various subgroups of cognate disciplines to maximize the interaction among the individual disciplines. Each subgroup will set its own format, venue, times etc., mainly intended to be informal discussion groups. The entire group of KEEN members will meet quarterly or semi-annually. KEEN members:
If you are interested in getting involved and/or you need more information, please contact Lydia Jackson (306) 966 5776 or lydia.jackson@usask.ca

Newsletters and Magazines

The Accelerator
A science newsletter published several times a year, the cost of the publication is included in Saskatchewan Science Teachers' Society membership fees.
http://ssc.stf.sk.ca/ssts/accelerator.html

The Numerator
A mathematics newsletter published several times a year, the cost of the publication is included in the Saskatchewan Mathematics Teachers' Society membership fees.
www.smts.ca/