BOONE—The Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University, through its Math and Science Education Center, will host a Science Seminar Series beginning this week and running through April 2017.

Topics range from perpetuating misconceptions as science teachers to changing air quality to using dinosaurs to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The seminars, taught by Appalachian faculty members, are free and open to the public. Teachers may earn 0.2 continuing education units for each seminar attended. The seminars all will be held in Room 124C of the RCOE on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be offered from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The schedule for the seminars is:

• Thursday, Sept. 15: “How science teachers may unwittingly perpetuate misconceptions,” presented by Jeff Goodman, curriculum and instruction
• Thursday, Sept. 22: “If everything is a wave, what’s waving? What wave/particle duality means,” presented by Dr. Tonya Coffey, physics and astronomy
• Thursday, Sept. 29: “Changing air quality and its impact on solar radiation budget in the Southern Appalachian region,” presented by Dr. James Sherman, physics and astronomy
• Thursday, Oct. 6: “Big bang and the age of the universe,” presented by Dr. Daniel Caton, physics and astronomy
• Thursday, Nov. 3: “Mountain-building events around Boone and the Blue Ridge,” presented by Dr. Jamie Levine, geology
• Thursday, Nov. 10: “How could all this just happen by chance: from chemistry to life to complex species,” presented by Dr. Mark Venable, biology
• Thursday, April 13, 2017: “Dinosaurs and STEM: Using ‘Terrible Lizards’ to teach paleontology, geology, biology and more,” presented by Dr. Andy Heckert, geology

For more information, visit http://msec.appstate.edu

About the Math and Science Education Center

Since 1985, the Appalachian State University Math and Science Education Center has offered special workshops, summer institutes, graduate courses and other instructional programs aimed at helping update and recertify teachers in Northwest North Carolina. The center’s goals are to increase the quality and quantity of mathematics and science teachers in North Carolina public schools; strengthen instruction in mathematics and science in grades K-12; sponsor research and development in mathematics and science education; and increase the use of educational technology in schools.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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