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Teachers' Corner -- Professional Development for Teachers

[explore] LIGO adheres to the "full immersion" philosophy of professional development. We invite teachers to immerse themselves in the culture, atmosphere and research of the Observatory. Through workshops and other activities, teachers can observe scientific inquiry in real time and converse with scientists and engineers for whom inquiry is second nature. Here you'll experience "Science Standards 2.0" -- research, theoretical models and instrumentation that outpaces the standards documents, driven by LIGO's mission to uncover new knowledge. Bring the science standards books with you, however, since the breadth of LIGO's research touches many physical science and earth science learner expectations and outcomes. We strive to make our teacher programs as practical as posssible, infusing teachers with stronger understandings of inquiry and science content while providing tools and activities to improve classroom instruction.


Professional Development Programs
Math Science Partnership  LIGO partners with ESD 123, WSU Tri-Cities, Columbia Basin College and the Pasco and Othello School Districts to serve Pasco and Othello teachers in grades 3 - 8. PSD and OSD teachers can contact LIGO or their district administration for participation information. [action]
LIGO e-Lab Training  The LIGO e-Lab, part of the I2U2 project, provides teachers and students with data from LIGO seismometers and other environmental seismometers. The e-Lab's convenient Web interface connects you to a substantial archive of professisonal data. We'll train you on the use of this resource with students. [elab]
Science and Snacks  Combine a close-up look at LIGO, including a discussion with a staff scientist, with inquiry-based explorations in gravity, waves and oscillations and/or optics. Build a take home a science "snack" (a mini hands-on exhibit) to transmit your learning to your students. [snakesnack]

Do you have a request or an idea for a LIGO professional development program? Contact our outreach coordinator at 509-372-8248 or send an email to outreach(at)ligo-wa.caltech.edu

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Last modified Dec 16, 2008
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LIGO is supported by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation