NEWS
1st Annual Energize New Mexico Teacher Institute
Energy is everywhere! Science teachers and their students wrestle with energy concepts at nearly every grade level. What is energy? How are energy and matter related? Where does New Mexico’s energy come from? Is energy from the sun the same as or different from the energy that powers our everyday lives, from our cars to our bodies? The Framework for K-12 Science Education (NRC, 2012) provides a foundation for K-12 teaching and learning about energy as a crosscutting concept across the disciplines.
The New Mexico Informal Science Education Network (NM ISE Net) educators used the Framework for the first Energize New Mexico Teacher Institute, held in Albuquerque on June 9-13, 2014. Twenty-six elementary school teachers from three school districts increased their conceptual understanding of energy and learned strategies for exploring energy with their students. Highlights from the week including the construction of rollercoasters and waterwheels, exploration of New Mexico’s energy resources, and children’s literature connections.
In order to facilitate future implementation, teachers attended the Institute as part of a school team that included principals. Institute participants will be supported by NM ISE Net educators throughout the school year and will attend the NM Science Teachers Association conference in the fall.
Institute Instructors
- Selena Connealy, NM EPSCoR
- Rachael Cutrufello, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
- Eric Meyer, ¡Explora! Children's Museum
- Tish Morris, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
- Deb Novak, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
- Marcia Barton, New Mexico Public Education Department
Albuquerque Public Schools
- Carlos Rey Elementary School
- Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School
- Griegos Elementary School
- Mitchell Elementary School
- San Antonito Elementary School
- Sunset View Elementary School
Rio Rancho Public Schools
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
- Sandia Vista Elementary School
Farmington Municipal Schools
- Ladera del Norte Elementary School
