SHELLS Conference / April 16-19, 2008
Conference Schedule

April 16 Registration
8:30 Registration • Bryant Conference Center • Room: Registration A and B
   
April 16 Meetings • Bryant Conference Center • Room: Rast B
9:00-9:05 Welcome and Introductions: Dennis Sunal, University of Alabama, Science Education
9:05-9:15 Welcome to the University: Joe Benson, University of Alabama, Assistant Provost
9:10- 9:40

Introductory Comments: Amanda DeWald, Teacher and Journalist, Producer of Alabama Public Radio Series,
“Hispanic Alabama,” Hudson, New York

  • Summary (PDF)
9:40-10:40

Strand 1:
Status and Programs: What is the status of pre-service science teacher education programs addressing needs of Hispanic students in K-12 science classrooms?

Miguel Mantero, University of Alabama, Department Head, Curriculum and Instruction, English as a Second
Language/English Language Learners
Cory Buxton, University of Miami, Science Education

Moderator: Michael Odell, Director, East Texas Science and Mathematics Center, University of Texas at Tyler

Session Files:
10:40-10:55 Break
10:55-11:55

Strand 2:
Academic and Sociocultural Factors: What aspects of sociocultural life and academic needs of students should built upon in the classroom?


Panel
Dely Roberts, Alabama State Department of Education, English as a Second Language/
English Language Learners
Dianne Robinson, Hampton University, Director of Interdisciplinary Science Center, Science Education
Glenda Ogletree, Early Childhood Education, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah GA

Moderator: Josie Prado, University of Alabama, Past Coordinator-English as a Second Language/
English Language Learners Education, Tuscaloosa City Schools

  • Summary (PDF)
11:55-1:20 Lunch will be provided
1:20-1:40 Overview/Summary of Morning Discussion and Conference Participant Discussion

Craig Shwery, University of Alabama, Teacher Education
Dennis Sunal, University of Alabama, Science Education
1:45-2:45

Strand 3:
Effectiveness: How effective are new pre-service science education models in addressing Hispanic students’ needs?

Stephanie Wisener, System ELL/Migrant Specialist, Marshall County School System
Elaine Hampton, University of Texas at El Paso, Department Head Teacher Education, Science Education

Moderator: Cheryl Mason, San Diego State University, Biology and Science Education

Session Files:
2:45-3:00 Break
3:00-4:00

Closing Comments and Discussion:

Panel
Wayne Urban, University of Alabama, Education Policy Center
Emmett Wright, Kansas State University and the Globe Program, Science Education
Cynthia Szymanski Sunal, University of Alabama, Curriculum and Instruction

Moderator: Charlotte Pass, University of Alabama, ESL/ELL education

  • References on Immigrants and Educational Success (PDF)
Dinner and Evening on your own
 
April 17, 2008
8:30 Registration • Bryant Conference Center • Room: Registration A and B
April 17 Meetings • Bryant Conference Center • Room: Rast B
9:00-9:05 Welcome and Overview of the Day:

Cynthia Szymanski Sunal, University of Alabama, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
9:05-9:10 Introduction: James McLean, Dean, University of Alabama, College of Education
9:10-9:40

Keynote Speaker:

Barbara Burke, California Polytechnic University, Pomona, Chemistry Department
Supporting Hispanic Students in Academic Success

  • Presentation File (PDF | PPT)
  • Summary (PDF)
9:40-10:40

Strand 4:
Models: What pre-service program model characteristics address the teaching of science content to meet the needs of Hispanic students?

Judy Reinhartz, University of Texas at El Paso, Associate Dean, Education
Pamela Fraser-Abder, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Teaching & Learning,
New York University

Moderator: Emmett Wright, Kansas State University, Science Education

Session Files:
10:40-10:55 Break
10:55-11:55

Strand 5:
Preparation for Change: What differences in pre-service preparation must occur as classrooms change?

Robert Leier, Auburn University, English as a Second Language/English Language Learners
Trish Stoddart, University of California, Santa Cruz, Science Education

Moderator: Charlotte Alvarez, English as a Second Language/English Language Learners Coordinator,
Tuscaloosa County Schools, Alabama

Session Files:
11:55-1:20 Lunch will be provided
1:20-1:40

Overview/Summary of Morning Discussion and Conference Participant Discussion

Cory Buxton, University of Miami, Science Education
Cheryl Mason, San Diego State University, Biology and Science Education
1:45 – 2:45

Practice and Practitioners: The Status of Teacher Preparation in Science for ELLs in the Southeast

Panel
Susan Spezzini, University of Alabama at Birmingham,
Sandra Ray, Alabama State Dept. of Education
Margaret Jensen, English as a Second Language/ English Language Learners Teacher, Liberty Park
Elementary School, Alabama
Donna Turner, Biology Teacher, Jackson Olin High School, Birmingham, Alabama
April Nelms, Biology Teacher, Muscle Shoals High School, Alabama

Moderator: Vivian Wright, University of Alabama, Technology Education

Session Files:
2:45-3:00 Break
3:00 – 4:00

Closing comments and Discussion:

Michael Odell, Director, East Texas Science and Mathematics Center, University of Texas at Tyler
Miguel Mantero, University of Alabama, Department Head, Curriculum and Instruction, English as a
Second Language/English Language Learners
Benjamin C. Ngwudike, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, Science Education

Session Files:

Dinner and Evening on your own