NASA Science News for December 6, 2007
Astronomers using Japan's Hinode spacecraft have discovered an important new form of solar activity: abundant x-ray jets.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06dec_xrayjets.htm?list111411



NASA Upcoming Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshops Announced
http://astronomy101.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/index.cfm

The Center for Astronomy Education announces a series of educator workshops for astronomy educators. Advanced workshops are available for participants who have taken part in previous CAE workshops.
The Teaching Excellence Workshops focus on learning how to create productive learner-centered teaching environments for college-level introductory astronomy classes. Participants will achieve this through reviewing research on the nature of teaching and learning; setting course goals and objectives; and using interactive lectures, peer instruction, engaging demonstrations, collaborative groups, lecture-tutorials, ranking tasks, and online homework systems. These workshops culminate with participants learning how to implement these teaching strategies into effective learning sequences for the learner-centered classroom.
One-day Regional Teaching Exchanges are also available. The Regional Exchanges bring past workshop participants, as well as those local to a particular region who were not able to participate in a past workshop, the opportunity to network with their local community of instructors.

Jan. 6-7, 2008 -- Austin, Texas
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop

Mar. 1-2, 2008 -- Orange, Calif.
Advanced Strategies for Creating a Learner-Centered Introductory College Astronomy Course: A Tier II (Advanced) Workshop

Mar. 14-15, 2008 -- Berkeley, Calif.
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop for Future Instructors

Apr. 12-13, 2008 -- Jamestown, N.C.
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop

Apr. 12, 2008 -- Kalamazoo, Mich.
NASA CAE Great Lakes Regional Teaching Exchange

May 31-June 1, 2008 -- St. Louis, Mo.
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop

July/August/Sept. (Dates to be Determined) -- Cleveland, Ohio
Improving the College Introductory Astronomy Survey Course for Non-Science Majors Through Active Learning: A Tier I (Introductory) Workshop




NOVA

Predicting Survival
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/denali/core.html
Learn what physiological factors may play a role in whether a
climber does well at high altitude or not. (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Dispatches
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/denali/dispatches.html
Read accounts of the Spring 2000 NOVA expedition sent in from the
field. (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Climb Denali
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/denali/climb.html
Explore the route from base camp to the 20,320-foot summit.
(QuickTime plug-in required; printable version available.)
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Survival Skills
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/denali/skills.html
Learn about four survival skills that climbers must have before
tackling Denali. (Flash plug-in required; printable version
available.) (Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Body Breakdowns
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/denali/body.html
See how extreme cold can affect the human body.
(Grades 6-8, 9-12)

Teacher's Guide
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/programs/3303_denali.html
In this classroom activity, students learn more about some of
Earth's extreme environments and some of the possible dangers
they present. (Grades 6-8)

Denali for Kids
http://pbskids.org/nova/denali
Find out where Denali is, learn what the NOVA team ate for
dinner, see what high altitude can do to your body, and more.
(Grades 3-5, 6-8)

Program Transcript
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcripts/3303_denali.html
The site includes a complete narration for this program.