Fall 2008 HealthRICH Online Courses

Discover sensational, issue-based science for teachers of grades 5 and above. HealthRICH online courses are designed to provide substantial science content tied to the National Science Education Standards in a way that’s sure to have relevance to your life and the lives of your students. The course includes content readings, web searches, question and answer sessions, and lots of hands-on activities for use in the classroom, informal education (such as science clubs and camps), and outreach.

For each course, teachers should plan on about 16 hours of doing fun, hands-on activities for themselves using household items (typically available from grocery and discount stores), as well as discussing and reviewing the activities online. In addition, a final project will require teachers to implement the activities in their classrooms, lead their students in a service learning outreach activity based on the course, and do an online presentation to share these innovative activities with others in the class.

The course is funded by a Science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health. Therefore, teachers are required to aid in the evaluation of student learning by administering pre- and post-surveys and gathering demographic information.

By registering for this course, you agree to do the following:

• perform the hands-on activities for yourself as you work through the online materials and questions
• discuss those activities with other teachers in the course online
• implement some of the activities in your classroom and lead your students in a discussion of an ethical scenario
• engage your students in a service learning outreach activity based on course activities
• use an exciting new interactive presentation technology that you’ll learn about in the course to report on your classroom and outreach efforts
  
  

• Bottled or Tap: The Science of Drinking Water
• Around the House: Indoor Air Quality and Household Chemical Safety

Benefits

Credit

Graduate credit requires previous completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university/college. The course may be taken for a grade or pass/fail, but may not be audited. To receive full program benefits and credit, participants must actively participate in all components and satisfactorily meet all course requirements, including completing a final project, using course materials with students or the general public, and reporting results.

Application Procedure

Complete the online application or call (513) 727-3392. Terrific Science does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

A $50 application fee is required for EACH course. You can apply online and pay the fee with a credit card or by a mailed check payable to Miami University. If you must withdraw from a course, $25 of the fee will be refunded if you notify Terrific Science at least 1 week before the start of the course. After that, the application fee is nonrefundable.

Terrific Science Workshops Application

Deadline

Please submit your online application no later than November 14. Late starts may be accepted.

Questions

Have questions about the application process or course details? E-mail us at courses@terrificscience.org or call (513) 727-3392.

	Bottled or Tap: The Science of Drinking Water In the “Blue Marble” photo of Earth captured by Apollo 17, water is clearly a predominant and distinguishing feature of planet Earth. Water is a unifying topic among many disciplines. Students learn that water is the universal solvent in chemistry class, an essential part of nearly every living organism in biology, and an important topic in health classes. In this online course you’ll gain experience with hands-on activities that explore the physical and chemical properties of water and provide opportunities to consider the risks and choices associated with drinking water. Grade Level: Geared toward 5th grade and above, but applications from lower grades will be considered. Course Dates: Materials available online November 15 and must be completed by May 1, 2009. No face-to-face meetings required for this online course. Credit: 1 semester hour of graduate credit provided Required materials including Wet Your Whistle! Student Activity Handbook and small amounts of water test paper and hydrophilic polymer (sold as a set, item # WYW1008) are available for purchase at a discounted price for participants. Details provided upon acceptance into the course.

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	Around the House: Indoor Air Quality and Household Chemical Safety In our own homes, we expect the air we breathe to be clean and the products we use to be safe.  What actions can you and your students take to ensure a safe and healthy home environment?  This course will help you to empower your students to make knowledgeable choices about reading household chemical labels and ensuring healthy indoor air at home and school. Grade Level: Geared toward 5th grade and above, but applications from lower grades will be considered. Course Dates: Materials available online November 15 and must be completed by May 1, 2009. No face-to-face meetings required for this online course. Credit: 1 semester hour of graduate credit provided Required texts entitled Breathing Room! Indoor Pollution Activity Handbook and Safe Not Sorry! Chemical Safety Activity Handbook are available for purchase at a discounted price for participants. Details provided upon acceptance into the course.

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