September 6, 2024

Western Dakota Technical Institute, Room C

1:00 PM

Members present: Josephine Hartmann, Kadoka; Julie Sankey, Museum of Geology at SDSM&T; Kathleen VanHorn, Meade; Joe Hillberry, Douglas; Jim Meszaros, Douglas; John Swanson, Belle Fourche; Bob Magelky, TIE Office, External Evaluator; Ben Sayler, CAMSE, NSF Project Director, BHSU; Kathy Hood, Spearfish; Mitch Chapel, Lead-Deadwood; Janet Lillehaug, Project Manager; Dorothy Keller, CAMSE, BHSU.

Members absent: Tim Creal, New Underwood; Charles Sykora, Wall; Charles Lamb, Participating Scientist, BHSU; Colin Paterson, Participating Scientist, SDSM&T.

Janet Lillehaug opened the meeting by asking Julie Sankey from SDSM&T to explain her proposed field experience that could be offered next summer. She is proposing a 2 week or so field trip that would start at Tech and continue near Marmarth, ND which is a fossil field work site. The teachers would have some practical training in reading topographical maps and used GIS/GPS equipment at SDSM&T and then travel to the field site for fieldwork. There is a boarding house available for housing the students and staff. Julie has submitted a grant proposal to NSF that hopefully will fund this venture. In the event that she does not receive the grant, possibly the Center could fund some of the expenses involved with this trip. This field experience could be offered for reduced graduate credit. The group agreed this could be a different kind of professional development for our BLAHST teachers and was very enthusiastic about this proposal. Julie should hear very soon whether or not her grant proposal would be funded. We will start putting together the necessary paperwork for reduced credit. Tentatively this field experience would be offered July 12 - 26, 2001.

Janet handed out the proposed workshop schedule for fall, 2000. The group accepted all of the dates of the workshops with the exception of the FOSS Magnetism & Electricity workshop, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 31, 2000 (Halloween). It was decided that November 2nd would be a better date. We still have a few workshops without locations. Western Dakota Technical is now charging for the use of their rooms so we need to find alternate locations if possible. Bob suggested that the TIE office has meeting rooms that could be used if they are not already scheduled. Jim Meszaros mentioned that the National Guard in Rapid City has meeting rooms that can be used for education purposes. We will check out these possibilities. As soon as locations are firm we will be sending this schedule information to the PMT members. They will distribute the information to their various buildings. We will follow up by sending hard copies to all of the principals to post in their buildings. Teachers should register by calling or e-mailing the Center Office. They should also notify their PMT representative of their registration. Our phone number is 642-6873, or e-mail Dorothy at DorothyKeller@bhsu.edu or keller.centpo@spearfish.k12.sd.us. Before each workshop, we will send confirmation to the PMT's with a list of who has registered and materials they need to bring. If there is enough interest in a workshop it is possible we will offer it again at a later date.

Dorothy handed out spreadsheets for each school district listing the professional development hours for each teacher in the project. Copies of these will be mailed to the PMT's who were absent. Dorothy will also e-mail electronic copies of these spreadsheets to each PMT to enable them to track additional hours. It was also mentioned that some of the teachers in the project have done independent studies which also generated professional development hours. We will send out reports for each of these teachers whenever they complete an independent study. These hours will be carried in the column marked "other". It was also mentioned that curriculum meetings and other training that is carried on out at the district level can be counted as professional development if it meets certain criteria. Dorothy will send an electronic copy to help districts give us the information that we need. The group was reminded that NSF wants signatures of all whom attend any meetings or workshops.

Ben gave a report on the Materials Coordinator position. After interviewing 6 applicants the search is narrowed down to 4 individuals. Any of these people would do a good job for the various projects. Hopefully a decision will be made soon.

We need an updated list of the kit inventory in each district. This will help us in deciding which kit-based workshops to provide and streamline ordering of refurbishment supplies. Please send these as soon as possible.

Janet asked for input on the South Dakota Science Standards. Janet has compiled a comparison on 4 of the kits and how they relate to the standards. This format could be used to evaluate the rest of the kits. A copy of the summary was given to each of the districts. If a district would like more information they should contact Janet Lillehaug at 642-6875 or e-mail her at janetlillehaug@bhsu.edu.

Information has been sent to the 8 BLAHST school districts and approximately 20 other school districts in the surrounding area about our upcoming EDC Conference. It is being held October 3-5, 2000 at the Student Union at BHSU. This conference will showcase science curriculum for K-12. Districts should get their RSVP in as soon as possible because space is limited. The BLAHST districts are already involved in the K-8 range but can help influence the high school choices so it should be very beneficial.

Our next meeting will be in mid-November. Janet will e-mail some choices and we will pick the best date and notify you as soon as possible.