Contact: Priscilla King 505-777-2620 Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920

July 29, 2002 NM TEACHERS FOCUS ON GEOGRAPHIC POSITIONING, UV MEASUREMENTS College of Education academy puts technology in teachers' hands Priscilla King, a science teacher at Navajo Pine, was one of the New Mexico teachers who recently participated in the Math and Science Teacher Academy at the University of New Mexico's College of Education. They just completed the final summer of a two-year commitment in the academy. King, and the other middle and high school teachers from communities statewide, was provided with laptop computers to collect and store data, GPS (global positioning system) units and UV (ultraviolet) meters. They learned to use the equipment and have developed projects in their classrooms using it. "Using the GPS unit, the students learned how to pinpoint latitude and longitude on a map. I created a scavenger hunt for the students where I hid candy at specific locations they had to find," King says. The students also learned about differences in elevation. "At Navajo Pine, we're at 7,000 feet. Farmington is at 5,000 feet. I talked to them about the thinner air at the higher altitude and we discussed how the body reacts to the change in altitude." The UV meter, Sun Safe, is a handheld device that gives an instant read. The students record the data at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Not only are they learning about peak times for UV radiation exposure, but they also learn about the scientific method and create spreadsheets to demonstrate findings. King's students conducted the UV readings, but also learned something about the ways their Navajo ancestors have traditionally protected themselves from the sun. "The Navajo people developed their own sunscreen out of red ochre and sheep tallow. They would put it on when they went out shepherding," says King. She says that the sunscreen, called 'chi'i'' has been tested for its effectiveness in blocking UV rays. "The ochre forms a barrier from the rays and the tallow keeps it from being sweated off," she says. "Navajos' awareness of the dangers of the sun goes way back. They wear long sleeves and don't expose the body to the sun," she says. Next year she plans to have the students conduct a study comparing the effectiveness of chi'i' with commercial sunscreens. Additionally, she shared general information about cancer with her students by relating it to the experiences of the uranium mine workers. "New Mexico has high melanoma rates and we recognize the need to educate children about the long term affects of early sun damage. Cancer may not show up for 20 or 30 years after exposure. Many adults may use sunscreens, but may not be encouraging use among children," says Anna Wilder-O'Neil, a doctoral candidate in Multicultural Teacher and Childhood Education. Wilder-O'Neil works with Teresa Kokoski, coordinator of the Mathematics, Science, Environment and Technology Program to develop and offer the academy. The teachers spent two days becoming comfortable with the GPS units, understanding satellite imagery and remote sensing. This year, they learned how to use GIS (global information system) software. The schools will each have site licenses for use of the software and the teachers will return to their schools to provide in-service training to interested colleagues. "The teachers can use the tool to bring out information from the data they have. They can conduct site analyses and understand the correlation between the geography of their region and UV exposure," says Kokoski. She says that the 27 teachers enrolled in the program represent a range of experience, from those with no computer experience to those teaching computer science. "It's their interest and motivation in bringing this technology into the classroom that makes the program work," Kokoski says. The training also counts toward the teachers' professional development. King, who earned a master's in education from the University of New Mexico and has taken courses toward a master's in science teaching from New Mexico Tech, teaches biology II, environmental science and chemistry. She says, "We would not have had access to the technology and training without the Science Academy. I learned a lot from the facilitators and also through sharing with the other teachers enrolled in the program." Some of the teachers will present their work at the National Science Teachers Association conference, to be held in Albuquerque in December. ###

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