SC2: Scientifically Connected Communities
Inspiring the next generation of scientists!
Scientifically Connected Communities (SC2), based at New Mexico State University, is dedicated to improving the scientific literacy of southern New Mexico students by providing professional development to K-12th grade teachers that emphasizes critical-thinking strategies and pedagogy to enhance scientific inquiry for all students. SC2 collaborates with a network of teachers, scientists, administrators, and district leaders to increase teacher science content knowledge, promote scientific inquiry curriculum, and to provide resources and materials for the classroom.
SC2 Summer Institutes
It’s official- the Scientifically Connected Communities (SC2) Summer Institutes have been scheduled. The theme for this summer is Making Meaningful Connections. With a new science framework, new math and literacy standards, it’s time to look at the Big Picture- How to keep your sanity while navigating changing curriculum while facilitating meaningful instruction; integrating science throughout literacy and mathematics to engage students’ interest and learning.
The SC2 Summer Institute for June 4-7 and the the June 18-21 SC2 Summer Institute are now closed.
If you would like to be placed on the wait list, please email thansen@nmsu.edu with your name, school, district, grade, and subject.
The stipend for full participation is $400. Lunch will be served.
Prehistoric Trackways Workshop
Please join Scientifically Connected Communities for a field experience at the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument led by Bureau of Land Management ranger, McKinney Briske on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 8:30am-12:00pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the unique fossils found only here in the Robledo Mountains by Las Cruces and add your voice to the creation of classroom kits about the Trackways! You will receive a $50 stipend for participating. Please wear good walking shoes as part of the hike is through an arroyo, and bring water. Snacks will be provided.
The workshop is currently full. If you'd like to be placed on a wait list, please contact thansen@nmsu.edu.
Dinosaurs of Mt. Cristo Rey
Scientifically Connected Communities (SC2) is hosting a workshop to visit El Paso’s only dinosaur fossils, discovered in 2002 by a UTEP student at Cerro de Cristo Rey, Eric Kappus who will be our guide on Saturday, April 14 from 8:30am-12:00pm. We will rendezvous at the Stateline Restaurant parking lot, 1222 Sunland Park Drive, El Paso, TX. Please be there by 8:30am so we can depart on time to carpool/caravan to the Mount Cristo Rey site.
This trip will be a leisurely walk on the North side of Cristo Rey to look at marine fossils, cool layers of sedimentary rocks, and dinosaur footprints. This dinosaur track site is from the middle-Cretaceous period, and is the southernmost extension of the “Dinosaur Freeway.” There is much history at this location, and we will discuss Paleontology, Archaeology, WWI and 20th century impacts to the land, as well as current developments. Eric will have many classroom resources to bring back to your classroom. Make sure to wear good walking shoes and bring a camera and plenty of water. Registration is limited to 30 people. A $50 stipend will be provided.
Yes the area is safe, as we will not be hiking up the mountain. Children are welcome, as long as they are supervised… there are several areas that are dangerous for unsupervised children.
The workshop is currently full. If you'd like to be placed on a wait list, please contact thansen@nmsu.edu.
Hope to see you out there!!
Hold down the Control button to see the map of area.
Have you played the game "Science Pirates" with your students? NMSU Media Productions needs your expert advice as they redesign the game for mobile devices. They are seeking 4-8 teachers to participate in a discussion on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 20. Participants will be reimbursed with gift cards. Contact Barbara Chamberlin if you are interested and able to participate.
The New Mexico Science Teachers’ Association (NMSTA) gave four teachers Excellence in Teaching Science Awards at the October conference held in Farmington, NM. This is the first year for these awards. The NMSTA will continue recognizing teachers and those who support science education at every state conference. The four teachers: Bonnie Dodge from Infinity High School, Belen; Brian Claar from Camino Real Middle School, Las Cruces; Jennifer Evans from Mesa and Nizhoni Elementary Schools, Shiprock; and Thelma Peterson from Riverside Elementary, Sunland Park. Mary Jo Daniel received the Service to Science Award. For more information, click here for the entire article.
For free materials and curriculum, visit the American Physical Society website.
Through a generous donation, educators can receive a free DVD copy of the Christa McAuliffe: Reach for the Stars film. It's easy and free - just click here and enter the address you want it mailed to.
The SC2 Team is planning some exciting new events for the fall semester. Stay tuned for more announcements!
If you would like to become a Project GUTS or Supercomputing Challenge coach and have participated in the PD, please contact Terri Hansen.
Only New Mexico public school teachers who have attended SC2 events are eligible to check out equipment
SC2 Equipment Checkout
Please Click HERE to see which equipment you can checkout
Please Click HERE to fill out a form for checking out various equipment
Please check here often for upcoming 2011-2012 events
More information
For more information, please contact Dr. Susan W. Brown, 575-646-1397 at susanbro@nmsu.edu, Terri Hansen, 575-646-2350 at thansen@nmsu.edu, Noemi Espinosa, 575-646-2585 at noemig@nmsu.edu, or Jacky Diaz at jdia@nmsu.edu