Master of Science in Education - Geoscience Education
The Master of Science in Education with a major in Geoscience Education is a cooperative degree program between the School of Education and the Department of Geology, Geography, and Physics available to individuals who obtained a bachelor's degree in education from an accredited college or university and who are professionally licensed to teach elementary or secondary education.

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EARTH SCIENCE WEEK



Additional supporting information is available at the Earth Science Week website, www.earthsciweek.org/


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2009 TSTA TAS Professional Development Institute and Conference


Information__________________________________________________________________________________________________


September 20, 2009

Link to view PDF

Advisors:

Dr. Don W. Byerly
Dept. of Geological Sciences
The Univ. of Tennessee Knoxville
Email: dbyerly@utk.edu

Dr. Lionel Crews
Dept. of Geology, Geog, and Physics
The Univ. of Tennessee at Martin
Email: lcrews@utm.edu

Dr. Michael A. Gibson
Dept. of Agriculture, Geosciences &
Natural Resources
The Univ. of Tennessee at Martin
Email: mgibson@utm.edu

Dr. Ann Holmes
Dept. of Physics Geology & Astronomy
The Univ. of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Email: Ann-Holmes@utc.edu

President Treasurer
Patricia Royle Christine Henry
619 Oak Shadow Drive 2805 Woodson Drive
New Johnsonville, TN 37134 Knoxville, TN 37920

Phone: (931)535-9615 Phone: (865)609-9344
Email: patricia.royle@tennk12.net Email: cahenry53@hotmail.com





Dear GeoScience Educator,

TEST is delighted that you are considering attending the TSTA Conference in Nashville in November. TEST realizes the financial burden of attending this conference and are offering free night stay on November 6, 2009. These rooms have already been reserved for our newTEST guests with a minimum of a double occupancy. The rooms are limited so you might want to contact the TEST colleague who gave you this letter or contact me directly at patricia.royle@tennk12.net as soon as possible. If there are 2-4 GeoScience teachers who want to share a room just let your contact know. TEST is asking new TEST members to support our organization during the TSTA Conference by:

• Attending at least one TEST session on Friday, November 6th (see attached sessions).
• In addition to a TEST session, we are asking that you come to our Annual TEST Board Meeting on Friday, November 6th .
• Participating in the Geology in the Park on Saturday, November 7th - this field excursion will be approximately 1-2 hours.

TEST is a nonprofit organization that promotes collaborative efforts between the business and educational community with the primary focus on the enrichment of earth science education. TEST provides, encourages, and promotes professional growth opportunities for all levels of earth science teaching.
We are excited about this year’s sessions and hope that you can join us. For further questions, please contact patricia.royle@tennk12.net .



Sincerely,

Patricia Royle

Patricia Royle
TEST President

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Friday, November 6th

Session 1 Plate Tectonics & Early Oceans of Tennessee
presented by Dr. Don Byerly

Our planet is composed of continents and oceans. The distribution of the continents and oceans changed throughout geologic time. The bedrock of Tennessee formed in ancient oceans of the past. This program will explore evidence of Tennessee’s earliest oceans and the role of plate tectonics in their formation. PowerPoint and models will be used.

Session 2: Components of Sediment
presented by Dr. Ann Holmes and Dr. Michael Gibson

The Rock Cycle Game
presented by Nancy Stetten and Jane Luhn

Components of sediments build on the oceans them with near shore and coastal processes, sources for sediments, and weathering of rocks. Teachers will receive rock & mineral samples, a PowerPoint lecture, and associated teaching tools.
The rock cycle game teaches the basic principles of geology. Participants will use a dice game to simulate The Rock Cycle which they will get to take with them.

Session 4: Ocean Environments - Modern and Ancient
presented by Dr. Michael Gibson and Dr. Ann Holmes

This session builds on Ocean Science STEM for teachers at the middle school level. Hands-on instruction comparing modern and ancient oceanic environments formed by tectonic processes will be part of the presentation. Teachers receive samples. Tennessee oceanic settings including tectonic margins and limestone platforms as sediment and rock and include fossils.

Session 5: Annual TEST Board Meeting
You are invited to a meet and greet with professors of Earth Science, Geology, and Paleontology from across the state as well as veteran elementary, middle, and high school teachers. We discuss resource information including local and state organizations, projected field trips, continued education opportunities, and more for educators. Let us know what your needs are as an instructor in the classroom and in the field.

Saturday, November 7th
9:00 am  Geology in the Park presented by Dr. Michael Gibson


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Saturday, November 7th
9:00 am Geology in the Park presented by Dr. Michael Gibson

TENNESSEE EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS
Presents
GEOLOGY IN THE PARK

Many parks offer wonderful opportunities to study geology, ecology, and the environment. Join TEST at Nashville's Bicentennial Park for a brief trip to the State Capitol and tour around the Park to observe the fact that the Park offers more to see than modern history.


Drive or carpool to the Park. We will meet beneath the RR trestle near the Visitor's Center at the entrance off James Robertson Parkway. There will be parking in several lots along 6th and 7th Avenues as well as along 6th and 7th Avenues. The trip will end before lunch.


Pasted Graphic


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TEST Annual Summer Meeting
August 29, 2009
Cool Springs, Tennessee

Presiders: President Pat Royle, Advisors Dr. Michael Gibson, Dr. Lionel Crews, and Dr. Ann Holmes
14 Present: Dr. Ann Holmes, Dr. Michael Gibson, Dr. Don Byerly, Dr. Lionel Crews, Pat Royle, Christine Henry, Nancy Stetton, Jane Luhn, Tina Coleman, Jane Skinner, Tina King, Bob King, Fran Hamilton, and Rose Lumus

      Total Balance $3334.96 We discussed the need to set up a Quicken Sheet for record keeping. Christine
      will forward the records to Dr. Gibson in order to have it compiled. B. Membership is low currently with 13 paid members. Let’s try and bring at least
      one new recruit to the TEST meeting on Friday at the TSTA Conference!

        currently been tabled to be considered at a later date. B. OEST Award to be presented to Fran Hamilton by Dr. Michael Gibson C. President Elect was discussed. Any suggestions? D. Pat Royle agreed to finish her current term and accept the position as president
        for one more term. E. Donations were discussed for funding of the Convention’s Workshop. Middle TN
        Gem and Mineral Society has not responded. Tina King is going to follow up on
        this. Dr. Gibson discussed the possibility of asking MAGS for a donation.
        F. TEST members from each region (East, Middle, West) should consider planning a
        30 minute demonstration for our sponsors (MAGS was suggested) in order to stay
        in touch with these valuable sponsors and to model how we help teachers across the state. Please give this some thought and we will pursue this subject at the November Annual Board Meeting further.

          Through STEM
           November 6-7, 2009 Marriott Cool Springs Franklin, TN

            2. 10:00 to 11:00 Nancy Stetton and Jane Luhn: Rock Cycle Game (Sets for participants to be assembled prior to the session.) Jane Skinner will assemble these sets, making extra sets to be sold at the convention. Thanks to everyone who is helping to glue the labels on the blocks.
            3. 1:00 to 2:00 Dr. Ann Holmes and Dr. Michael Gibson: Components of Sediments
            4. 2:00 to 3:00 Dr. Michael Holmes and Dr. Ann Holmes: Ocean Environments Modern and Ancient (Discussion of exactly how far the beach was to be extended in this presentation lead to changing from beach to oceans in order to incorporate Coon Creek as part of the session.)
            Rock and mineral samples: granite, sandstone, limestone, basalt, chert, shale, slate, phylite, gneiss and schist all in quart ziplock bags. Rock sets to include one large sample and 8 small for lab stations. 50 light scopes to be purchased, any extras from session will be sold. Below is a list of resources to be collected.
            Granite: Christine Henry
            Sandstone: Dr. Ann Holmes
            Limestone: Jane Skinner
            Basalt: Dr. Ann Holmes
            Chert: Pat Royle
            Shale: Nancy Stetton
            Slate: Jane Luhn
            Phylite: Nancy Stetton
            Gneiss: Christine Henry
            Schist: Dr. Ann Holmes
            Quartz: Nancy Stetton
            Feldspar: Dr. Ann Holmes
            Muscovite: Dr. Ann Holmes
            Calcite: Dr. Ann Holmes
            Marble: Christine Henry
            5. 3:00 to 4:00 TEST Board Meeting (The TEAMS Board Meeting will be from
            4:00 to 5:00)

                Agriculture, Geoscience and Natural Resources
                With this move to a new department there is a drive for Geoscience Institutes to be established and developed. One possible option is for student field trips if a grant is funded. A new STEM center is also being brought to UTM.
                 B. TESTTUBE articles are due to Jane by the end of September.
                 VI. President Pat Royle moved to adjourn. Rose Lummus seconded the motion.