POS 2011-2012
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.
2011 - 2012 Schedule
October 11, 2011: Dr. Eric Courchesne, (Graduate Program in Neurosciences, UC San Diego)
Webpage: http://neurograd.ucsd.edu/faculty/detail.php?id=77
Seminar Title: "The Developmental Neurobiology of Autism: The First Steps and the World Ahead."
November 8, 2011: Dr. Lynne Talley, (Professor, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA)
Webpage: http://sio.ucsd.edu/Profile/ltalley
Seminar Title: "Ocean Physics and Climate Change."
December 6, 2011: Dr. Dan Moriarty, (Professor and Chair, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of San Diego)
Webpage: http://www.sandiego.edu/cas/psy/faculty/
Seminar Title: "The Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Program: Behavioral Issues."
January 17, 2012: Dr. J. William "Bill" Schopf, (Professor of Paleobiology & Director of IGPP CSEOL, UC Los Angeles)
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.”
February 7, 2012: Dr. Anca Segall, (Professor and Chair of Biology, San Diego State University)
Webpage: http://www.bio.sdsu.edu/pub/anca/segall.html
Seminar Title: “Site-Specific DNA Recombination in Nature, Biotechnology and Medicine.”
March 13, 2012: Dr. Linda Sherman, (Professor, Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA)
Webpage: http://www.scripps.edu/research/ims/faculty.html?name=sherman
Seminar Title: “Harnessing the Immune System to Fight Cancer.”
April 3, 2012: Dr. Jennifer Cha, (Professor, Department of NanoEngineering, UC San Diego)
Webpage: http://nanoengineering.ucsd.edu/faculty/jcha.html
Seminar Title: "Harnessing Nanotechnology for Solar Power Through Self-Assembly."
May 1 or May 8, 2012: Dr. Andrew Viterbi, (Co-founder, Qualcomm Incorporated and Inventor of the Viterbi Algorithm that Underlies all Missile Guidance, Spacecraft Communications, and Cellular Telephone Technology)
Webpage: http://www.link-a-media.com/aviterbi.html
Seminar Title: To be announced
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 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 program subscription fee of $80 covers ~25% of the annual cost of the POS program per teacher. Other support totaling ~75% of the program expenses comes from outside funding organizations and from the Administration of Point Loma Nazarene University. Please use our registration form.
Academic Credit
Point Loma Nazarene University offers one unit of graduate level, academic credit per year (at the highly subsidized rate of $75 per unit) to teachers who attend at least seven of the eight POS lecture/dinner 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 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 eight POS events.
Sponsorship
The Perspectives on Science program has received strong financial backing from the Point Loma Nazarene University Administration annually since its inception. Additional support over the years has come from several other organizations and agencies, including the CA Science Project: SEASAND, 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 . Since 2008, the Point Loma Nazarene University Administration has subsidized the annual cost of the POS program at a level of ~75%.
Need More Information?
Contact Michael McConnell, either at: mmcconne@pointloma.edu , or at (619) 849-2304
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