Perspectives on Science
Perspectives on Science is a monthly seminar series for science teachers. The seminar typically focuses on recent developments in the guest scientist’s area of expertise, with particular emphasis on those aspects that are of greatest interest and significance to science teachers. Each POS meeting begins with refreshments at 4:30 p.m., followed by the scientist’s formal seminar presentation beginning at 5:00 p.m. We start out in the Fermanian Business Center (southeast part of campus) and move to Cunningham Dining Room (Nicholson Commons building) for dinner.
2012 - 2013 Schedule
Webpage: http://www.salk.edu/faculty/sejnowski.html Seminar Title: "What Makes the Human Brain Human?" |
Webpage: http://topex.ucsd.edu/sandwell/ Seminar Title: "Earthquakes Along California's San Andreas Fault."
|
Webpage: http://swfsc.noaa.gov/staff.aspx?id=16680 Seminar Title: "Sea Turtle CSI: It's All in the Genes." |
Webpage: http://academy.asm.org/index.php/fellows/fellows/fellows-elected-in-2011/311-j-william-schopf and http://www2.ess.ucla.edu/~schopf/ Seminar Title: “The Early History of Life: A Solution to Darwin's Dilemma.” |
Webpage: http://id.ucsd.edu/faculty/richman.shtml Seminar Title: “The HIV Pandemic: Fighting AIDS in San Diego.” |
Webpage: http://kepler.nasa.gov/Mission/team/ps/williamWelsh/ Seminar Title: “NASA's Kepler Mission: Discovering Strange New Worlds.” |
Webpage: http://cmm.ucsd.edu/cleveland/home.html Seminar Title: "Therapy Development in ALS, Huntington's Disease and Beyond." |
Webpage: http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/10-08AndrewViterbi.asp Seminar Title: "The Making of the Digital World: From Alan Turing to Steve Jobs." |
October 9, 2012: Dr. Terrence Sejnowski, (Professor and Head of Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Francis Crick Professorship, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA) 
November 6, 2012: Dr. David Sandwell, (Professor of Geophysics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA)
December 11, 2012: Dr. Kelly Stewart, (Marine Biologist, Marine Turtle Genetics Program, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Service, La Jolla, CA)
January 15, 2013: Dr. J. William "Bill" Schopf, (Professor of Paleobiology & Director of IGPP CSEOL, UC Los Angeles)
February 5, 2013: Dr. Douglas Richman, (Professor of Pathology and Medicine and Director of the Center for AIDS Research, UC San Diego, Florence Seeley Riford Chair in AIDS Research, Staff Physician at the VA San Diego Healthcare System) 
March 19, 2013: Dr. William Welsh, (Professor of Astronomy, San Diego State University)
April 2, 2013: Dr. Don Cleveland, (Dept. Chair and Professor of Medicine, Neurosciences, and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego, Member of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research)
May 7, 2013: Dr. Andrew Viterbi (Wireless Pioneer - 2008 National Medal of Science Recipient, Inventor of The Viterbi Algorithm, Co-Founder of Qualcomm, Professor Emeritus, UC San Diego)Event Format and Time
Each POS meeting begins with refreshments at 4:30 p.m., followed by the scientist’s formal seminar presentation beginning at 5:00 p.m. The seminar typically focuses on recent developments in the scientist’s area of expertise, with particular emphasis on those aspects that are of greatest interest and significance to science teachers. The seminar is followed by a sit-down dinner, during which time teachers are able to dialog with each other informally in smaller groups about how the concepts of the seminar can be effectively incorporated into their classrooms. The last half hour of each session (7:00 to 7:30 p.m.) is set aside as a time for the teachers and the guest scientist to clarify and exchange ideas that might help facilitate more effective, enthusiastic student learning.
Event Location
POS events take place in the Fermanian Business Center and the Nicholson Commons building on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University. Driving directions and a map of the PLNU campus will be sent to all those who register for the program.
Registration Details
The subscription fee for the POS program is $80 which covers ~1/3 of the annual cost of the POS program per teacher (see "Program Sponsors" link below). Please use the "Registration/Payment" link below in order to sign up for this year's program.
Academic Credit
Point Loma Nazarene University offers one unit of graduate level, academic credit per year (at a subsidized rate of $75 per unit) to teachers who participate in both the seminar and dinner/discussions of at least seven of the eight POS events (this arrangement may be repeated up to a total of 6 units). Those who meet the minimum attendance requirement receive a letter and form shortly after the final POS event of the year. The form includes instructions and a deadline to abide by in order to receive academic credit. Credit may only be applied for and received within 3 months of receiving the form.
Teachers who are enrolled in PLNU graduate course BIO692 receive 2 units of credit for POS (1 unit in the Fall and 1 unit in the Spring), pay regular graduate level tuition and are required to fulfill other assignments relating to the POS presentations. BIO692 students must also pay the $80 POS program subscription fee (see "Registration Details" above). This fee helps subsidize the cost of meals and various other expenses related to running the POS program.
Program Sponsors
The Perspectives on Science Lecture/Dinner Series has received financial support over the years from several outside organizations and businesses, including the CA Science Project: SEASAND, the Science Education Association of San Diego, the Girard Foundation of La Jolla, George's at the Cove, Ocean Beach Equipment Rental, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Institutional support has been critical throughout, with the PLNU Administration funding ~33% of the annual program expenses from 1998 through 2007, and ~67% annually since 2008. Generous gifts received from several San Diego science teachers during the summer of 2012 have helped make it possible to extend POS through 2012-2013, which marks the 15th consecutive year of the program.
Need More Information?
Contact Michael McConnell, either at: mmcconne@pointloma.edu , or at (619) 849-2304
^ Back to Top ^
