TMRA Uranium Camp Friday 7/15

Today, (Friday) we wrapped up the camp. We completed our job fair portion of the camp. Each of us had a job function which we had researched during the week. We then created a display of the job and we had a gallery walk among the different jobs and descriptions of each. We exchanged contact information among the different participants and instructors. I will say that the experience working with so many professional teachers was a much needed boost for my career. I do hope that we will be able to keep in touch and that the experiences can be shared with many more.

TMRA Uranium Camp Thursday 7/14

All I can say is WOW!!! The trip to the south Texas project nuclear power plant was incredible. On the way to the plant we had a stop at the Blessing Hotel in Blessing Texas. If you are ever there be sure and drop in for lunch and some fantastic home cooked food! Our plant tour was very good, I want to commend Sheila, and all the others there, for the excellent work they did in directing the tour. The scale of the plant is mind boggling big. After extensive security, we toured the control room and the outer parts of the power plant. We then went through additional security and were issued dosimeters with which we toured the more inner workings including the spent fuel rod pool. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with my students. After the experience I can see why our potential energy independence will probably depend on nuclear power.

TMRA Uranium camp Wednesday 7/13

Today thankfully, after last nights bus debacle, we were here at the hotel. We had several sessions going over plops (samples they use to examine the layers when a well is being dug) and how we could have simulated plops for our students. We learned to read graphs that geologists use to determine where the ore can be found, and had several activities that we could use in the class. I'm really enjoying the workshop and being able to network with other teachers and get ideas that I will be able to use effectively in class. The TMRA staff has done a VERY GOOD job taking care of all of us.

TMRA Uranium Camp Tuesday 7/12

Tuesday was a "fun" day. We went to visit an in-situ uranium mine. It was in the middle of nowhere.... The tour was great, we learned many things about how the uranium is mined and how they process it to become what is called yellow cake. The staff at the mine was very good and knowledgeable about the work being done and was happy to share with all of us. Our adventure began when on the way out of the mine area we apparently damaged the bus and we were not able to get up to a descent speed. We ended up spending 3+ hours at the Falfurrias Walmart ( a very small Walmart) waiting for the bus company to send another bus to get us. We finally were able to get on our way to a late dinner. We had a wonderful dinner at Kings Inn restaurant, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anybody. We got back on the bus ready to go, however, the bus could not go, apparently the air brakes would not charge up. Luckily we had a participant who lived nearby and was able to call family and friends to pick us up and take us back to the hotel, plus a employee of the restaurant drove some particpants back and one of the instructors wife was able to come and pick the last of us up, a 1 hour trip, each way. We arrived back at the hotel at 1AM... It all made for a long day, but, I did feel like I learned alot I could share with my students and other teachers back at school.

TMRA Uranium camp Monday July 11th

Today we had a great time in the hotel conference center. Several presenters came and talked about different aspects of what we will be doing this week. I left my notebook in the conference center so I will come back and add the names of the presenters later. We introduced ourselves and each teacher had to come up with the name of a book to describe themselves. My book name was clay, it seem that I'm always molding somebody or something... Anyways we were given some background information on the nuclear industry. I wish more people were aware of the FACTS not just what the media puts out. We were then given supporting information on the mine that we will visit tomorrow. Afterwards we all went for pizza, paid for by one of the contributing companies. Many thanks to all those who made these camps possible.

TMRA uranium camp

Yep, you read that right, URANIUM camp. I'm excited to be here at the 2011 uranium camp here in Corpus Christi. Tonight we had a get together of all the participants and instructors. Being the first day, it was a travel and get to know each other day. The drive in wasn't too bad, my wife insisted that I rent a car instead of driving my own... More money we don't have but..... At least I'm able to participate. After tonights meeting I went strolling on the beach. Very pretty beach and very nice and warm water. Our tentative schedule includes a couple of days here at the hotel and 2 tour days. The first tour is of the uranium mine and processing and the 2nd tour is of the south texas nuclear power plant. I will try to update this blog everyday with my thoughts and activities of the day.

TCEA 3rd Day

A Great experience!! What else can I say. After a long drive home I'm entering this a day late but what a day Wednesday. Started out the day with a session on using Firefox browser. I've already been using it but I did learn more about other add-ons that I could use. I went to the opening session with a speech by Leigh Ann Tuohy. She was very inspirational. I went to a session on Web 2.0 sites and I was blown away by the incredible sites that were presented. Very hard to describe how the sites could be used effectively to meet many differentiated needs of various student populations. Sadly we rushed thru the exhibit hall to be able to leave for home. BIG concerns on being able to get home at all due to the ice on the road. Overall it was an incredibly beneficial conference to be a part of. You will soon see various links I've gathered listed with some of my thoughts of each.

Day 2 TCEA

WOW, what can I say..... today at the TCEA pre-conference we worked with the TATN

(Technology Applications Teacher Network). Many classes on various software and other technology for the classroom. Overall the conference has been VERY well run and a benefit to all involved. Today I learned about Glogster, Second life, wordle, Prezi, and other sites, some I've worked with before and others I am just learning about. I am psyched to get back and work on getting the school informed and up to speed on what I have learned. I believe that many of these sites and programs could help get our students to the next level. Technology is not a cure all, but several teachers have shown how effective use of technology can make a difference in the learning process. One teacher showed a video of his classroom students using various technology and the students were actively involved and when asked questions they were using proper science vocabulary and seemed to have an advanced understanding of the concepts. To say I was envious would be an understatement. I have seen the goal and it is my intention to take my school to the next level of achievement.

TCEA

Texas Computer Education Association conference in Austin. Today we spent our day learning more about Google and how to incorporate Google docs and other functions in the classroom. I am very impressed with what was given today... on lil tidbit was texting to 466453 and you will receive an answer to a question or just type in wx name of city and it will come back with a forecast for that city. Many other sites within Google was shown and I am excited about bringing this back to my school.

Teacher Academy Day 3

Today was a good day in training. We went over some information for 8th grade science and we covered how the different TEKS have changed and where they might have moved too. Our presenters Lisa and Pam did a very good job explaining and presenting. I'm glad I was able to participate in this 3 days of training with these professionals.

Science Academy day 2

Today we covered 6th and 7th grade information. The information and activities were very helpful and was presented very well. My back is much better today, I sat on a chair not on a lab stool.. :)

The presenters and other attendees have been very professional. I'm looking forward to wrapping it up tomorrow.

Summer teacher training

Now we get to the required teacher training. Today I spent the day at Sherman High School at a teacher academy. The good news is that we are being paid a $100 a day stipend for this training. Anytime I can get paid for training, its a good day :) Today we mostly covered the new TEKS coming soon, and the new STAAR test that will replace the infamous TAKS test. The afternoon covered some 5th grade activities which I plan to incorporate into my lesson plans even tho I now teach 6th grade. I will increase the "rigor" and expectations for my students to bring them to the next level of accomplishment. Overall the class has gone well, I will say that I will try to sit in a chair tomorrow.... the lab stool has killed my back..