FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2007
Contact: Melissa Hathcock
(512) 646-6407
University of Houston Offers Continuing Education for Texas Science Teachers
Apply now to be eligible for $1,200 in free tuition sponsored by Texas Chemical Council and Association of Chemical Industry in Texas
HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Science Teachers apply now for a hands-on continuing education course at the University of Houston. The course will be held July 8 through 20, with all tuition, lodging and meal expenses are sponsored by the Texas Chemical Council (TCC) and the Association of Chemical Industry in Texas (ACIT).
Science Teachers and Industry, Learning about Chemicals and the Environment is a summertime learning opportunity for science teachers of grades 5- 12. The program, led by the University of Houston's Dr. Eugene Chiappetta, gives teachers a chance to learn more about the Texas chemical industry, its technology and products, and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Chiappetta schedules academic, governmental and industry experts to present a full scope of environmental viewpoints. During the ten-day program, teachers spend six hours a day being students again, participating in a broad spectrum of instructional exercises, completing assignments, being part of a panel discussion and touring various chemical plants and industrial waste disposal sites on facility field trips.
"The Science Teachers' Institute is the best professional development course I have ever taken," said Melissa Paul, a chemistry teacher at William Travers High School in Fort Bend ISD. "This was an extremely beneficial experience with great presentations, field trips and discussions. I took back to my classroom many useful activities and ideas."
The course is correlated to the TAKS and TEKS tests, and participants will be eligible for 3 hours of graduate credit through the University of Houston and 41 hours of TAGT Professional Development Credit. Teachers will return to the classroom with many tools, resources and interactive activities to share with their students.
For more information and to register, visit www.txscienceteachers.com. Applications must be received by April 30. Space is limited and applicants will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. If accepted to the program, applicants will pay a non-refundable registration fee of $25. If accepted, all other course expenses, lodging and meals (valued at $1,200) will be provided by sponsoring organizations through the Texas Science Education Foundation.
About the co-sponsors
Dr. Eugene Chiappetta has led the curriculum of the Science Teachers Institute since its inception in 1990. Dr. Chiappetta has worked at the University of Houston for more than 30 years, teaching science methods at all academic levels, from elementary school to college. His expertise is in methods and materials for teaching science in middle and secondary schools. Dr. Chiappetta has organized several funded programs for educators, including the Aerospace Institute and Petroleum Institute. He has also earned awards for his work promoting science in inner-city communities.
The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, is one of the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.
Texas Chemical Council (TCC) is a statewide trade association of chemical manufacturing facilities in Texas. Currently, 85 member companies produce vital products for our way of life, fulfill educational and quality-of-life needs, and provide employment and career opportunities for some 70,000 Texans at more than 200 separate facilities across the state. Their combined economic activity sustains about 400,000 jobs for Texans.
Association of Chemical Industry of Texas (ACIT) was founded in 1983 and has become one of the state's most active and productive leaders in the effort to move Texas forward to a bright and healthy economic future. The Association represents both big and small businesses ranging from basic chemical manufacturers to formulators, contractors to consultants, suppliers and service companies to distributors. Currently, ACIT is more than 400 member companies strong with 2000 individual members.