Alien Invasion

George P. Kraemer, Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology, Purchase College

The globalization of human societies and actions is not a phenomenon unique to today’s world.  Rather, it has been happening since humans took their first steps out of Africa.  Biologically, humans continue to engineer a mixing of the old with the new through migration and trade.  Non-native species have impacts that include ecological and economic. This workshop will cover non-natives mostly from the viewpoint of the former, starting generally with what characterizes successful non-natives and their vectors, and ending with a local focus on our invaders. The concept of unintended consequences threads through the discussion.

The Ashcan School and the Culture of Display

Michael Lobel, Assistant Professor of Art History Purchase College

The end of the nineteenth century saw the emergence of a new, modern consumer culture in the United States. Advances in advertising and display (including the introduction of the plate-glass window) fundamentally changed how Americans envisioned the buying and selling of consumer goods. This class will scrutinize these changes by looking closely at the work of some of the artists of the Ashcan School, who championed a new approach to urban realism in New York City in the early years of the twentieth century. We will also consider how these issues are connected to the work of contemporary writers like Theodore Dreiser and L. Frank Baum, the creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

How Smart are YOU?:  SmartBoard for the Mathematics Classroom

Bill Tozzo, Fox Lane High School Faculty

The SmartBoard is becoming more common in today's classroom. Participants will get a quick review of the basics of using a Smart Board and then be introduced to functionality that is of particular use in the mathematics classroom. Topics covered will be screen capture, mathematics gallery, object grouping, internet incorporation and mathematical symbols. This workshop will also be helpful to science teachers.

Poetic Forms: Science and Nature

Mark Puckett, English Faculty

Poetry comes from the word "poein"--to make--and the craft of poetry contains a certain science in and of itself.  We don't often see poems about science, but we do read many about nature with Robert Frost coming immediately to mind.  When do science and nature converge in poetry, though?  In form.  the sonnet, the sestina, and the pantoum (to name a few) are all rigidly architected.  In this workshop, you will be introduced to three strict forms that you will analyze and attempt to write.  In addition we will read poetical works from Frost, Gary Snyder and various Native American poems, plus a few "scientific" poems as well.

Science in a flash…

Nancy A. Zook, Assistant Professor of Psychology,Purchase College

In a world where information needs to be conveyed in brief snapshots, whether it is on the internet or on the news, it is important to evaluate the quality of this information. Is the reporting of science oversimplified to the point of being worthless? Is information being left out of reports? How can information in the popular media be evaluated for its level of scientific integrity? This workshop will cover the dangers of oversimplifying results in science with an emphasis on topics in neuroscience.

Cuttlefish Bone Metal Casting Workshop

Eric Wildrick, Purchase College Faculty

Participants will carve directly into cuttlefish bones creating molds into which molten Brittania metal will be poured.  Brittania metal, also known as lead-free pewter, has a very low melting temperature.  The metal can be heated to its melting temperature and cooled in the molds quickly. This ancient process will enable everyone to carve, pour metal and leave the workshop with a small casting.  All tools and materials will be provided.

(NOTE: Enrollment is limited to 15 students on a first come, first serve basis and requires payment of an additional $30 materials fee This workshop runs through 3 sessions, from 9:00 AM – 12:50 PM)

Come Fly With Me (Google Earth in the Social Studies and Science Classroom)

Steve Kluge Adjunct ScienceFaculty

Since its release in June 2005, Google Earth has become an arguably essential tool in modern geography and geoscience related classrooms.  Used simply as a demonstration tool, as a supplement to existing classroom activities, or even as a stand alone exploration tool, the flexible and easily customized Google Earth platform offers you and your students a whole new way to explore geospatial information and concepts.  In this workshop you'll learn the potential of Google Earth in your classroom, explore some "ready to use" content, and begin to develop your own Google Earth files.  Participants will receive a copy of a recently published guide to creating lessons with Google Earth, and will have the opportunity to "play" with the program during the workshop.  Participants should bring a USB memory drive, and if possible their own wireless capable laptops with Google Earth installed (if you bring a laptop from your school, make sure you can get on line without going through your school's network!)

The Constructive Use of New Media and Technology in the Classroom

Brooke Singer, New Media

Wrangle the power of Web 2.0 (blogs, social networks, wikis and moblogs) to engage students in learning, collaboration and dialogue. This workshop will cover how to utilize the visual and interactive language of New Media rather than compete with it.

Microfiction

Catherine Lewis, Purchase College Creative Writing Faculty

How short can a short story be? Here’s a well-known one attributed to Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Short fiction is defined in part by specific word length. Microfiction stays within the range of 250 words or less. If writing is a muscle then exercising it in this short form will have you scrutinizing every word and its relation to the one next to it. Writing in such a compressed form is harder than it may appear at first yet enormously gratifying when it all comes together. In this workshop we will define, examine, and discuss the elements that make for scintillating microfiction. Next, you’ll try your hand a writing a microfiction of your own. Lastly, we’ll share ideas about how this form might be integrated into a classroom lesson or assignment.

Music of Protest

James McElwaine, Professor of Music, Purchase College

A survey of the past 50 years of popular protest music. We will look at the power of pop music and the artist’s role in shaping contemporary society, with a focus on three eras of social upheaval in the U.S.: the civil rights movement, the war in Vietnam, and the emergence of punk and hip-hop. As preparatory material, early 20th-century blues and socialist “magnet” songs are also examined. Artists include Woody Guthrie, the Weavers, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, the Stooges, Pere Ubu, the Sex Pistols, Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, Tupac Shakur, and Rage Against the Machine. Includes readings, musical analysis, and listening.

Note: The ability to read musical notation is not required, but a working knowledge of contemporary pop music is critical.

Natural Products, Money, and Politics

Frank H. Bellevue III, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Chemisrtry, CSTEP Coordinator, Purchase College

Throughout the centuries, plants have been a source of medicinal compounds.  There is a growing nutraceutical trade, and an increase in the prevalence of the idea that only natural compounds are good for you and safe to use.  The recent problem with ephedra is a recent counterpoint.  As rainforests and other natural greenspace areas are reduced, there is a loss of a plethora of potential new drugs.  This workshop will compare ‘natural’ vs ‘synthetic’ drugs, and how economics and politics influence the availability of each.

The Rise of China and 2008 Beijing Olympics

Renqui Yu, Purchase College Faculty

This workshop will discuss the recent rise or re-emergence of China as a great power and the country’s preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. We will discuss how the Post-Mao Reform and Opening Up to Outside World policies transformed China from a poor and isolated country in the 1970s to an economic powerhouse in the early 21st century; how ordinary Chinese citizens have been affected by this transformation; and how this revived country, with renewed confidence, a new world view, and new economic and social problems that have arisen from recent rapid changes, is expecting and preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Global Crisis vs. "Kinder" Capitalism

Peter Bell, Economics Faculty

Bill Gates recently urged world leaders to work for a "Kinder Capitalism". Meanwhile the current financial crisis threatens to engulf the global economy with billions of dollars of losses and extensive foreclosures. Crises provide many teaching/learning opportunities: How did the crisis arise? Crisis for whom (capital or labor)?  Are crises normal? Should they be solved by "free" markets or by government regulation? Are crises consistent with a "kinder" capitalism? These questions will be addressed in a non-technical manner.

Making Race: The Historical Construction of Whiteness

Lynn Mahoney, Associate Professor of History & Associate Provost for Integrative Learning, Purchase College

Americans often find it difficult to talk about race—a consequence of the complicated nature of the history of race in the US. White students and white Americans tend to hear race and think blackness. But making race is actually just as much about whiteness, especially the historical construction of whiteness. In this workshop, we will review briefly three key historical periods to see how race was constructed and reconstructed over the course of US history (late 18th century, 1840-1920, and 20th century victory of white supremacy) and discuss strategies for getting students actively engaged in discussions of race. By helping students see how racial ideas were created, by exploring how real humans, actual individuals, “made” race, we can engage them in discussions about “remaking” race and transforming race relations.  By exposing the human agency behind racial thinking, we empower students by exploring how that which has been made, can be unmade, and remade.

Math x Ecology = Environmental & Societal Significance

George P. Kraemer, Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology, Purchase College

Math is too often viewed by students - of all ages - with dismay and even distaste.  However, understanding the science of ecology and environment requires a basic understanding of a set of mathematical principles and tools.  By extension, math also has real world human relevance.  This workshop will consider a broad range of applications, from allometric growth of individuals to resource-limited growth of populations and the Earth’s human carrying capacity.  Bringing a scientific calculator may be helpful.

New Tricks for Old Dogs: Using Vectors to Solve Projectile Motion Problems at the Desk and in the Lab

Jerry Ludwig, Fox Lane High School Faculty

Traditional projectile motion sends many students running for cover.  Given the launch velocity, students are asked to determine maximum height, or horizontal range, or some other quantity.  Under the theme of 2d motion, students begin by separating the initial velocity vector into its x and y components, and then use the equations of motion to try to determine the answers to the questions asked.  If your students struggle with this approach, or if you would like an alternative solution process that will enhance student understanding, this workshop will explore projectile motion through vector analysis.  The goal is to understand the projectile’s real displacement, velocity and acceleration.  Techniques of vector analysis will be demonstrated and tied to the actual physical phenomena of motion.  As an example, if a ball is launched with v_o = 50 m/s at 60°, could you determine the maximum horizontal range without breaking the v_o into components?  This workshop will guide you through this and other related questions at the Regents and AP levels of difficulty.

Out of Africa: Bringing African Art and Culture to your Classroom

Eleanor Phillips Brackbill and Briley Rasmussen, Education Department, Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College

Reorganized and newly reinstalled, African Art and Culture: Selections from the Permanent Collection forms the basis for a workshop in which participants will be introduced to key concepts in traditional African art and will then use gallery activities, appropriate for different age levels and various learning modalities, to encourage interpretation.

Teaching Mandarin Chinese: Why and How?

Rita Kwan and Chun Li, Mount Vernon School District

Global communication requires facility in the dominant languages of the world.Chinese children are learning English at an early age; our students deserve the opportunity to learn Chinese.  This workshop will explore the ways to set up a viable program for effective teaching of Mandarin in the schools and will review the resources available to teachers plus proven strategies for success.

Registration

Space is limited, so register as soon as possible by clicking the link below to download and print the Teacher Workshop Day Brochure and Registration Form. 

Teacher Workshop Day Brochure and Registration Form

For more information about the Partnership contact Dennis Craig, Vice President and Associate Provost for Enrollment. He can be reached by e-mail at dennis.craig@purchase.edu or by phone at (914) 251-6306 and by fax at (914) 251-6314.