Special Courses for Teachers
Teachers: Please send email to Dr. Reiff (reiff (at) rice.edu) if you are interesting in attending any of our special teacher courses, either for credit or just as an auditor. You need not be in the Master of Science Teaching program to take our courses. However, teachers interested in applying for the MST program are encouraged to take these classes, because up to 9 hours of Rice credit can apply to your degree. Some tuition waivers are available; after those are exhausted, the special teacher tuition rate is $750 per course. These classes are also generally open to Rice undergraduate non-majors, particularly those interested in teaching careers. Both the Space and Earth programs follow a four-semester sequence. Other special Rice courses for teachers in other departments may also be applied to the degree, with the approvial of the student's committee.
Spring 2007 (and Spring 2009) classes for Teachers:
PHYS 401; Physics of Ham Radio. MONDAYS 6-9 pm, HBH 223 and 355.
This class teaches the basics of electromagnetic waves, simple circuit and antenna theory, radio propagation, ionosphere, magnetosphere, and space weather, plus enough of the rules of amateur radio to pass the "Technician"-level examination.
Although designed for teachers, it is also open to currently enrolled Rice undergraduate students. Strongly recommended for teachers in the Masters of Science Teaching program, graduate students in other degree programs may enroll but should check with their advisors if it will count towards their degree program.
ESCI 511 Earth Science for Teachers, from the Earth Science Dept, Tuesday Evenings. Contact Alison Henning to enroll and for more details. A special tuition rate of $750 for teachers applies.
Fall 2007 courses: ASTR 402 and ESCI 511
ASTR 402; Teaching Earth and Space Science. MONDAYS 6-9 pm, HBH223
Learn the basics of the solar system (including the Sun and Earth), plus techniques to teach, primarily at the middle school level but open to all teachers (inservice plus preservice, plus Rice non-science majors).
It is open to currently enrolled Rice undergraduate students who are considering teaching professions.
Spring 2008 courses: ASTR 403 (Astronomy for Teachers) and ESCI 511 (Environmental Geology).
Learn the basics of astronomy (including stars, galaxies and cosmology), plus techniques to teach, primarily at the middle school level but open to all teachers (inservice plus preservice, plus Rice non-science majors).
Fall 2008 classes for Teachers:
ASTR 430; Teaching Astronomy Laboratory. MONDAYS 6-9 pm, HBH 223 plus observation times tbd.
This class teaches using astronomical and computer-based hardware and software, including telescopes , binoculars, spectroscopes, digital cameras, movie-making, planetarium software, and photographic software.
Although designed for teachers, it is also open to currently enrolled Rice undergraduate students
Summer 2008 program: (tentative):
"Macro to Micro Institute", dates TBD. Covers measurement, estimations, errors, data predictions and typical laboratory equipment with particular application to space topics. Contact Debbie Jensen (djensen (at) rice.edu) if you are interested.
Last update: Jan 6, 2007