The PALS hub meetings are listed in reverse order chronologically:
14 – 5.1.24 – Dermestid Beetles at Work
Title: Dermestid Beetles at Work
Day, Date, Time: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Arrive 4:00 for food and networking, Program. 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Contact Hours: 2.5 hrs
Food: Light dinner (pizza), drinks, and snacks provided by PALS
Location: Vista Ridge High School, 6888 Black Forest Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
Presenters: Scott Fortney
Description: Did you know that beetles can clean the flesh from bones without causing bone damage? Come learn about the Dermestid beetle and how they are used at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.
13 – 4.23.24 – Vacuum Science – It’s No Matter
Title: Vacuum Science – It’s No Matter
Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Arrive 4:00 for food and networking, Program 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Contact Hours: 2.5 hrs
Food: Light dinner (pizza), drinks, and snacks provided by PALS
Location: The Campus @ 6113 Constitution Ave, Colorado Springs 80916
Presenters: Marc Straub, Executive Director, Cool Science
Description: Join us as we explore the fascinating world of vacuum science ! Marc Straub will present the vacuum science demo show from COOL SCIENCE. Then he will lead you through the experience of building your own vacuum chamber with easy to obtain materials and you will do some fun low pressure experiments. You’ll also get a chance to learn about all that COOL SCIENCE does throughout the year including ways that Cool Science can come to your classroom.
12 – 4.15.24 – Exploring Human Physiology
NOTE: Unfortunately this hub meeting was cancelled due to a family emergency for our presenter. Also – Unfortunately we are unable to reschedule this meeting.
Title: Exploring Human Physiology
Day, Date, Time: Monday, April 15, 2024 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Contact Hours: 2.5
Food: Light dinner, snacks and drinks provided.
Location: UCCS Hybl Center, 4925 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Presenters: Sabine Allenspach, Senior Instructor, UCCS Dept of Human Physiology & Nutrition
Description: Find out what the new Hybl Sports Medicine & Performance Center is all about! Learn about the human donor program and tour the anatomy labs with current students. Participate in an organ dissection. Learn about student opportunities in Human Physiology at UCCS.
11 – 4.3.24 – Investigating Aquaponics
Title: Investigating Aquaponics
Day, Date, Time: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 4:00 – 7:00 pm Arrive 4:00 for food and networking, Program 4:30 –
7:00 pm
Contact Hours: 2.5
Food: Light dinner (pizza), drinks, and snacks provided.
Location: Emerge Aquaponics (https://www.emergeaquaponics.com/)
4135 Shoup Road; Black Forest 80908
Presenters: Emerge Aquaponics Staff
Description: Join us as we delve into the details involved in starting and maintaining an aquaponics company. We will tour the facility and explore each step in the process, including the role of the tilapia. Topics covered will include determining the plants most suitable for the facility, the chemistry involved in maintaining a balanced ecosystem and the environmental benefits of this method of food production.
10 – 3.9.24 (Sat) Hydro – Terra – Vida: Exploring CSU SPUR
Title: Hydro – Terra – Vida: Exploring CSU SPUR
Day, Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
[Bus leaves Colorado Springs at 7:15 am and returns ~ 4:15 pm]
Contact Hours: 5
Food: Bring your own lunch. PALS will provide some snacks and water.
Location: CSU SPUR 4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216
Presenters: CSU SPUR Educators
Description: Join PALS as we travel up to Denver to experience CSU SPUR ! CSU SPUR is focused on engaging PreK-12 students, families, and visitors around the topics of food, water, and health through real-world experiences. CSU SPUR connects and inspires visitors through the ability to watch ongoing research, to see behind-the-scenes of services, and to watch professionals at work. We will be attending on a 2nd Saturday where SPUR offers free and open to the public interactive programs that you will have an opportunity to experience. CSU SPUR comprises three buildings – Hydro, Terra and Vita, all three open on this day. You may view cooking activities in the CSU SPUR kitchen, have opportunities to watch veterinarians perform surgery on dogs and cats, see horses assisting with human therapies and engage with scientists at work. Also participate in several activities related to food, water and/or health. Learn more about CSU SPUR at https://csuspur.org.
9 – 2.10.24 The Physics of Everyday Things (Sat) 8:15 am – 2 pm
NOTE: Unfortunately this hub meeting was cancelled due to weather concerns… 5-6 inches of snow. Also – Unfortunately we are unable to reschedule this meeting.
Title: The Physics of Everyday Things
Day, Date, Time: Saturday, February 10, 2024 8:15 am – 2:00 pm
Workshop from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
NOTE: Participants arrive USAFA no later than 8:15 am,
meeting on the south steps of the Cadet Field House.
Contact Hours: 5
Food: Bring a sack lunch. Snacks and drinks provided.
Location: USAFA Physics Department
Presenters: USAFA Physics Department
Description: Have you ever wondered what makes the world go round?
The answer is physics! Join us at the workshop to learn the specifics.
8 – 1.20.24(Sat) 8:15 am – 2 pm Chemistry of Cooking I
Title: Chemistry of Cooking
Day, Date, Time: Saturday, Jan 20, 2024 Workshop from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
NOTE: Participants arrive USAFA no later than 8:15 am, meeting on the south steps of the Cadet Field House. Group is then escorted to Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)
Contact Hours: 5
Food: Bring a sack lunch. Snacks and drinks provided.
Location: USAFA Chemistry Department – Meet at Cadet Field House 2169 Field House Dr, Air Force Academy, CO 80840
Presenters:
- Dr. Abby Jennings, Associate Professor of Chemistry, USAFA Chemistry Department
- Dr. Ron Furstenau, Retired Professor of Chemistry, USAFA Chemistry Department
- Dr. Andrea Kelley, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, USAFA
- Stacey Lazzelle, Chemistry STEM Outreach Educator , USAFA Chemistry Department
- Sandy Lamb, STEM Outreach Coordinator, USAFA
Description: Join us to take a closer look at the chemistry of food. Participants will learn about the chemical reactions behind cooking as well as the taste of a variety of foods. You will learn how things such as acidity, cooking temperature, and even the manner in which you cut food affect the chemistry and thus the flavor and texture of foods. You’ll even get the chance to put your cooking (and tasting) skills into action. Like most of the Science HUB activities at the USAF Academy, we’ll make sure that we have something for everyone, with emphasis on middle and high school teachers. We will provide activities that (1) expand participants’ knowledge base; (2) provide the opportunity to do experiments that can be used in their classrooms, either as a demonstration or student lab; and (3) provide the opportunity to do experiments in a research-style environment using advanced equipment.
Agenda for Peak Area Leadership in Science (PALS) Workshop at USAFA
“Chemistry of Food and Cooking I”
Saturday, 20 January 2024
(last modification made on 5 Oct 2023)
0815 Meet participants on the south steps of the Cadet Field House; escort to
Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)
0815-0900 Travel to Chemistry Conference Room, Refreshments
0900-0915 Introductions, admin items in Chemistry Conference Room
0915-1000 Presentation: “Chemistry of Nutrition and Cooking Hints” (tentative) – Dr. Andrea Kelley
1015-1015 Break, Chemistry Conference Room (2N189)
1015-1100 Laboratory Experiments #1
- Group A: Extracting Capsaicin from Peppers (Dr Kelley, Capt Sherman)
- Group B: Making Perfect Pancakes
- Group C: Putting Cooking Hints into Action
1100-1145 Laboratory Experiments #2
- Group A: Putting Cooking Hints into Action
- Group B: Extracting Capsaicin from Peppers (Dr Kelley, Capt Sherman)
- Group C: Making Perfect Pancakes
1145-1245 Working Lunch with Presentation:
“More Cooking Hints” and “Pepper Chemistry” (tentative) – Dr Andrea Kelley
Capt Spencer Sherman
1245-1330 Laboratory Experiments #3
- Group A: Making Perfect Pancakes
- Group B: Putting Cooking Hints into Action
- Group C: Extracting Capsaicin from Peppers (Dr Kelley, Capt Sherman)
1330-1400 Final wrap-up of the day’s events (2N189)
14
7 – 11.11.23 – Current Teen Drug Landscape – What Teachers Need to Know
Title: Current Teen Drug Landscape – What Teachers Need to Know.
Day, Date, Time: Saturday, November 11, 2023 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Contact Hours: 5
Food: Bring your own lunch, PALS will provide drinks/snacks
Location: The Campus @ 6113 Constitution Ave, Colorado Springs 80916
Presenters:
- Officer Joseph Langlais CSPD SRO,
- Dr Krystal.Ozanick, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Children’s Hospital of Colorado,
- Megan Caraway, Science Teacher Vista Ridge High School
Description: Join us as we learn from local experts about the current teen drug landscape. Hear from a School Resource Officer at a local high school and from the Children’s Hospital Speaker Bureau. Participate in a virtual simulation of the effects of various drugs on the nervous system and activities simulating drug
5 – 10.21.23 – After the Asteroid: Stability and Change at the DMNS
Title:After the Asteroid – Stability and Change at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Day, Date, Time: Saturday, October 21, 2023 9 am – 2:30 pm
[Bus leaves promptly at 7:30 am from D20 Center of Modern Learning
at 8707 Wolf Valley Dr. 80924. Bus returns around 4:00 pm.]
Contact Hours: 5 hours
Food: BYO lunch or purchase your own lunch on site. Some drinks and snacks will be provided on the bus to carry into the museum.
Location: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205
Presenters:
- James Hagadorn PhD – Tim & Kathryn Ryan Curator of Geology
- Brandon Davis, Teacher Programs Consultant, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Tim Blesse, Teacher Programs Consultant, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Description:
Join us on a field trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Learn both science content and teaching strategies focused on 3D teaching and learning from museum resources (curator, geology collection, exhibit, Brandon and Tim, and other) during your 5 hour visit. It will be a day filled with wonder and awe!
During Part 1 of your field trip to the museum you will deepen your understanding of the worldwide Extinction Event that ended the age of the dinosaurs, as well as the amazing recent discoveries at Corral Bluffs near Colorado Springs that reveal how quickly life rebounded and diversified after this event. You will do this through a below ground, “behind-the-scenes”tour of the museum’s research geology collection and the temporary “After-the-Asteroid” exhibition on the museum’s first floor. View Physical Evidence for this Extinction Event and the changes in ecosystems before and after it.
During Part 2 of your visit you will see a large screen film in the Infinity Theatre (formerly IMAX Theatre) and participate in a short workshop about scaffolding Cross Cutting Concepts using Graphic Organizers and Mini-Lessons. Previous Museum Workshops with PALS have focused on the 8 Science and Engineering Practices: Employing Scaffolding that helps students build competence at “doing what scientists do”. But in order to effectively do what scientists do, students need to be taught to “think like scientists think”. This also requires scaffolded support as they figure out phenomena.
Agenda: Tentative Agenda – Exact Timing to be Determined – Will be 5 hours of contact time.
| Time | Activity | Location | Led By |
| 9 AM | 45 minute “Behind-the-Scenes Tour” with Geologist James Hagadorn PhD | Geology Collections B1 & B2 | James Hagadorn PhD-Curator of Geology DMNS |
| TBD | 1 hr Large Screen Movie Experience ( 45 min + transition time) ( Titles of October films not yet released ) | Infinity Theatre | Tim Blesse Teacher Program Consultant DMNS |
| TBD | 30-minute lunch on your own & free roaming time | ||
| TBD | 1 hour Visit to the “After the Asteroid Exhibition” Using Graphic Organizers on A Field Trip to build Cross-Cutting Concepts | Brandon Davis Teacher Program Consultant DMNS | |
| TBD | 1 hour Stability & Change- Cross Cutting Concepts – Mini Activity in A Studio | Tim Blesse Teacher Program Consultant DMNS |
4 – 9.26.23 – Explore before Explain
Title: Explore before Explain
Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, Sept 26, 2023 Arrive 4:00 for food and networking, Program 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Contact Hours: 2.5
Food: Light dinner (usually pizza), snacks and drinks provided.
Location: Coronado High School, 1590 W Fillmore St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Presenters: Christina Collazo, Science Teacher – Carson Middle School
Kathy Jeppson, Science Teacher – Colorado Early Colleges
Dana Malfeld, Science Teacher – Discovery Canyon High School
Traci Morey, Science Teacher – Coronado High School
Description: Are you looking for a way to maximize the impact of your science lessons on your science students’ learning? Perhaps you are working on ways to implement phenomena-based, 3-D lessons aligned with the current Colorado Science Standards while utilizing proven, research-based learning strategies. There is so much “out there” in terms of instructional models – 3-D learning using phenomena, the 5Es, Ambitious Science Teaching, Anchored Inquiry Learning, Argument Driven Inquiry, OpenSciEd – and the list goes on. Are you overwhelmed with the possibilities?
Join us to explore (and explain) how to help guide student’s sensemaking by design. In this hub meeting, participants will experience a model lesson and learn how and why this approach will make YOUR lesson planning easier and more efficient by taking learning experiences that you already do and making small shifts that will engage students, recognize the power of their prior understandings, allow them to be scientists in your classroom and encourage them to reflect on their learning experiences.
Participants may receive a book by Pat Brown that provides even more model lessons and more detail describing this method of lesson planning. The book is titled: Instructional Sequence Matters and is available for middle school and high school teachers.
- Instructional Sequence Matters, Grades 6–8: Structuring Lessons With the NGSS in Mind – September 1, 2018 [https://www.amazon.com/Instructional-Sequence-Matters-Grades-Structuring/dp/1681405849 ]
- Instructional Sequence Matters, Grades 9–12: Explore-Before-Explain in Physical Science – April 30, 2021 [https://www.amazon.com/Instructional-Sequence-Matters-Grades-Explore-Before-Explain/dp/1681408449 ]
3 – 9.23.23 – Garden of the Gods Geology
Title: Garden of the Gods Geology
Day, Date, Time: Saturday, September 23, 2023 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Contact Hours: 2.5 hours
Food: Food is not allowed in the visitor center, would be able to get snacks/drinks in the parking lot
Location: 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Presenters: Bret Tennis, Garden of the Gods Program Manager
Jennifer Heiny, Garden of the Gods Park Guide
Description: So much geological history of the region can be found in the Garden of the Gods. Join us for a moderate hike throughout the park to learn more about the geological history and programs that can be included in your classroom.
2 – 8.16.23 – The Science of Healthy Forests
Title: The Science of Healthy Forests
Day, Date, Time: Saturday, September 16, 2023 8:15 – 3:15 Bus leave Cheyenne Mountain JHS at 8:15 AM
Contact Hours: 5.0 hours
Food: Bring your own sack lunch. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Location: Manitou Experimental Forest, 232 County Road 79, Woodland Park, Colorado 80863
Presenters: Steven Alton, Forester and Site Manager, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Manitou Experimental Forest. History of the Manitou Experimental Forest. Ongoing Research.
Andy Schlosberg, Forestry: Challenges for a Healthy Forest, Colorado State Forest Service, Sandy Smith, Science Teacher, Data Puzzles
Description: The Manitou Experimental Forest (MEF) is part of the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. Currently, the site is home to several meteorological, ecological and biological research initiatives, including the BEACHON project, an NADP monitoring site, and a long-term Flammulated Owl study to name a few. Research at Manitou has been broadened to gain a better understanding of ponderosa pine ecosystems, the disturbance regimes active within them, and ways to best manage these urban-interface forests. Current studies include assessment of silviculture techniques to restore fire-dependent forests to a healthy condition, studies of fire history, fuels assessment, quantifying soil heat fluxes during prescribed burning under a spectrum of fuel loadings, studies of insect and bird biology, an intensive study of dwarf mistletoe ecology, and a major effort to assess human values and preferences in urban-wildland interface forests. Participants will explore the forest with a guide from the Colorado State Forest Service to look at signs of a healthy forest.The workshop ends with a look at a Data Puzzle – Megafires: Rare Occurrences or the New Normal? Data Puzzles combine classroom-friendly datasets with the research-based instructional practices of Ambitious Science Teaching to help students make sense of the natural world. Examining the data and discussing the causes of these megafires provides students an opportunity to explore the interaction of humans and their environment.
Agenda:
9:00 Announcements and introductions.
9:10 – 10:10 Steve Alton will give an overview of the Manitou Experimental Forest, History, Past
and Ongoing Research
10:10 – 10:15 break
10:15 – 11:30 Andy Schlosberg will lead an outdoor walk in the woods and speak on Challenges of a Healthy Forest
11:30 lunch
12:00 – 2:15 Data Puzzles. Megafires: Rare Occurrences or the New Normal? Sandy Smith
2:15 – 2:30 Evaluations and Door Prizes
1 – 8.18.23 – Solar Eclipses, Astrophotography, and Observing the Night Sky
Day, Date, Time: Friday, August 18, 2023 4:30 – 11:30 PM (Includes travel time) Bus leaves Cheyenne Mountain JHS at 4:30
Contact Hours: 5.0 hours
Food: Box dinner will be provided on the bus. Snacks and drinks provided.
Location: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, 15807 Co Rd 1, Florissant, CO 80816
Presenters: David Warren, Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
Description: Join us at the Florissant Fossil Beds as we explore the summer sky. Our view of the universe changes as we orbit the sun, allowing us to observe different stars and constellations. Study about solar eclipses and learn how to observe them safely. Florissant Fossil Beds is a great place to see these astonishing wonders through the telescopes of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society members. Solar viewing, Solar Eclipses, Introduction to Astronomy, Bringing Space Science to the Classroom
Agenda:
4:30 Depart Colorado Springs from Cheyenne Mountain JHS. Dinner on the bus. Exploring solar eclipse materials.
6:00 Observing with solar telescopes. How to safely view the sun, Learn about Solar Eclipses,
7:00 Introduction to Astronomy. Bringing Space Science to students. Astrophotography
8:00 Q & A, Evaluations, Door Prizes
8:30 Colorado Springs Astronomical Society presents the summer night sky
10:30 Depart Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
0 – PALS 2023-2024 Open House
3rd Annual PALS OPEN HOUSE Saturday, July 29, 2023 9:00 am – 11:00 am
International Dance Club @ 2422 Busch Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Drop by anytime ! Stay as long as you like.
HIGHLIGHTS of the PALS OPEN HOUSE:
- PALS will announce its 2023-2024 Program ! Be the first to see what we have in store for the year and sign up for our first meeting of the year.
- Our FIRST hub meeting of the year will be on Friday, August 18th. This workshop, Solar Eclipses, Astrophotography, Space Science, and the Night Sky, will take place up at Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument. We will leave by bus at 4:30 pm and return around 11:30 pm. You will be able to sign up for this meeting at the 3rd Annual OPEN HOUSE – or via other methods AFTER the OPEN HOUSE.
- Meet other science teachers from the Pikes Peak Region !
- Share a science lesson that is a favorite of yours and/or learn about another teacher’s favorite lesson. Bring 6-10 copies and any associated samples to share. Feel free to send an electronic file of the lesson to [email protected] by Thursday, July 27 and we’ll include them in a goggle folder so others may access them – if that is OK with you.
- We will have tables for sharing science lessons – Middle School Science – Earth & Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, High School Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Forensic Science, other and Elementary Science if some of our elementary teachers are interested.
- Tie Dye a cloth tote bag.
- Pick out some teacher “Goodies”.
- We’ll have refreshments !
- Also – If you have some science teaching materials that you’d like to pass on to other teachers, feel free to bring them and put them on our ‘freebies’ table(s) – as long as you take your “leftovers” at the end. Let Nancy Hampson ([email protected]) know if you plan to bring ‘freebies’, so we can have adequate space. Consider bringing them a bit early (around 8:30) to ensure most teachers get to check them out.