Disequilibrium July 3, 2009

After 5 days of disequilibrium, I am still a little off kilter. I was completely immersed in horses, horse psychology, horse body language, horse herd behavior.

My thinking and boundaries concerning safety were continually pushed and tested. My picture of myself and how I related to others and life in general was being challenged.

In the middle of this, I received an email about presenting at a technology conference. I enjoy technology and get a lot of satisfaction from teaching people how to utilize these tools for education. However, I have been in such an intensive training that required complete concentration and focus that I was a bit taken aback by this email.

“Am I still that person? Do I present technology workshops? Is that me?”

What an odd response….

I am still finding my footing.

Training in Lubbock July 1, 2009

I have just completed 5 days of training in Equine Assisted Growth and Learning.  I am exhausted.  I was continually challenged on several levels.  I stayed uncomfortable most of the 5 days.  I know that is the state in which the most learning occurs, but I am now so tired.  There is a part 2 training for which I am now signed up and will obtain a certification from EAGALA to practice Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning as a member of a 2 or 3 part team.  I will be the Equine Specialist and work with a mental health professional.

The power of this work is overwhelming to me personally.  I look forward to sharing it with others.  I will be using it as a part of a science curriculum this fall for at-risk students, Lord willing.  I’m not sure where it will go from there.

I’m really excited about working with my horses and preparing them for this work as well.

I am in a state of disequilibrium and it makes it hard to formulate my thoughts.  I am growing and changing and can sense it happening, but it will take some time of rest and focus on other things before I will be able to articulate all that is going on inside of me.  I have a blog where I write exclusively about horses and my work with them:  Learning with Horses.

Blog Improvement April 7, 2009

There is a 31 day better blog challenge on the web.  I have been interested in it, but haven’t launched into the sequential 31 day steps. However, one of the days’ challenges is to survey the readers and get feedback for making your blog better.  So….here goes.  I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas you have about how to improve this blog.  Getting a sense of how you see this blog will help me to improve this site.

Thanks so much!

These are some questions I have:

• What is In His Image about to you?
• What’s the first topic that pops into your head?
• What would you like to see more of?  Less of?
• Any suggestions?

Thanks for any feedback!

Fellows Program in Washington, D.C. January 8, 2009

From: Jennifer Carter <jcarter@societyforscience.org>
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 13:57:23 -0500

Subject: New Fellows Program AT Society for Science & the Public

Hello Everyone,
My name is Jennifer Carter and I am the new Director of Outreach for the Society for Science and the Public located in Washington DC. Society for Science & the Public (SSP) is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the public engagement in scientific research and education. Our vision is to promote the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, inspire.

Inform – To deliver the events and news of the scientific world daily. Through online and print media, we keep the world informed of the latest scientific news and advances.

Educate – To further the many disciplines of science by reaching students, teachers and the public.

Inspire – To encourage and nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers and teachers, through our acclaimed science competitions.

In January of 2009, Society for Science and the Public (SSP) is launching a new Fellows program for high school science and/or mathematics teachers (administrators) in U.S. schools. The official announcement has not been released, but I thought since you all may know of competitive candidates, I would give you a heads up and hope that you will call or write so I can help either you complete the application or help someone you know complete the application over the next few months. I have used information off this portal before to help others so I thought that this program may benefit someone you know.

Below are some important facts about the program:

All potential candidates will be ranked based on the following criteria and the most competitive, meeting all the criteria will be selected for the Fellows program for 2009. This Fellows Program in no way creates an advantage for the teacher or student who participates in Science Talent Search (STS). STS students are selected based on merit alone regardless of how they came to the program.

Selection Criteria:

Demonstrated interest in research but actual research experience not required.

Have taught or actively teaching 9-12 grade science (must have teaching credentials) -If you are not actively teaching but have in the past, you must demonstrate access to students to mentor.

Teacher (Administrator) must be from a school that has enrollment that is at least 40% underrepresented minority and/or have at least 30% of students receiving free or reduced rate lunches

Demonstrated evidence of engagement with students (e.g. Field trips, science clubs, mentoring requiring time to teach, supports independent research)

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Must be able to attend Fellows Institute in Washington DC –July 27 through July 31, 2009 – fully paid trip

Each applicant must submit the following electronically:

1. Completed online application (not until Mid-January)

2. A written Essay describing the following: a 400 word description – See application guidelines for guidance on how this should be written

Methodology by which the applicant will recruit and mentor students over the commitment period

A brief description of what the teacher/school is currently engaged in recruiting and mentoring students in the production of science fair projects or project based research and the support network that is             already established to support those students or if not established description of plans to establish.

3. Copy of Curriculum Vitae

4. Proposed Budget of $ direct support funds for each year over the 1 year commitment

5. 1 Recommendation letter from school or district administration

6. Administration should state how they will substantively support teacher’s efforts.

Example:

Each teacher may be granted up to two hours of administrative leave per week, not to exceed ten hours per calendar month, to participate in the Society for Science & the Public Fellows initiative, including participating in an established mentoring program serving a school district.

“Coaches” pay

Laboratory/classroom space

Community Partnership/Co-op program

Substitute pay

There will be a significant stipend given to each teacher (up to $8500/year) if Fellowship is awarded. The Institute may have college credit or continuing education credit awarded to it which can be used to complete a degree or certification. The commitment is for 1 year with an option of non-competitive renewal after the first year for 3 more award years.

You may know a teacher who is already making a difference with minimal resources and we want to give them the additional resources to be as effective as they can!

This is going to be a great Program so thanks for spreading the word if you can!

Jennifer A. Carter
Director of Outreach
Society for Science & the Public
1719 N Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-2801
202.872.5140 (phone), 202.822.3922 (fax)
jcarter@societyforscience.org <blocked::mailto:jcarter@societyforscience.org>

www.societyforscience.org <blocked::http://www.societyforscience.org/>
www.sciencenews.org <blocked::http://www.sciencenews.org/>