2014 MESTA Conference
Date: Friday, February 7, 2014
Time: 7:45am-3:00pm
Location: District 287 Conference Center--1820 N. Xenium Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441
"A great conference with breakfast, lunch and incredible door prizes"
Time: 7:45am-3:00pm
Location: District 287 Conference Center--1820 N. Xenium Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441
"A great conference with breakfast, lunch and incredible door prizes"
Keynote Speaker
TONY RUNKEL--Geologist with the Minnesota Geological Survey
Fracking In Minnesota The recent rapid expansion of silica sand mining in the central midcontinent of North America is driven by demand for proppant used in the process of hydrofracking for oil and natural gas. Certain bedrock layers in the central midcontinent, especially parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, are dominated by sand grains particularly well suited for use as a proppant. These layers are well known to both geologists and industry as some of the most mineralogically and texturally mature sandstone on Earth. This presentation will provide an overview of the expansion of silica sand mining in this region, including geologic interpretations of why "our" sand is so "special", and why the expansion has been controversial.
Fracking In Minnesota The recent rapid expansion of silica sand mining in the central midcontinent of North America is driven by demand for proppant used in the process of hydrofracking for oil and natural gas. Certain bedrock layers in the central midcontinent, especially parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, are dominated by sand grains particularly well suited for use as a proppant. These layers are well known to both geologists and industry as some of the most mineralogically and texturally mature sandstone on Earth. This presentation will provide an overview of the expansion of silica sand mining in this region, including geologic interpretations of why "our" sand is so "special", and why the expansion has been controversial.
Concurrent Session Presenter information:
Erik Tvedten--High School Earth Science Teacher, Dist 622
Michelle Commander--High School Earth Science Teacher, Dist 287
Websites and iPad Applications: Teaching Without a Textbook Choose an iPad or a PC to explore during this session. See how other earth science teachers have integrated technology into the classroom to address state state standards. Sample successful approaches which you may bring back to your classroom. Leave the session with a list of applications and websites that will inspire your students.
Kent Kirkby--Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota
Natural Disasters: Floods, Hurricanes and History All too often we tend to consider past disasters, such as floods, hurricanes as trivia, remembering a little more than a place and time, death tolls and cost. Yet, these events have an unparalleled ability to shape our history in myriad ways so their impacts can continue beyond their occurrence. So let’s explore a few ways in which our past disasters have shaped our present world.
Larry Rudnick--Professor in the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics at the University of Minnesota.
Dark Matter and Dark Energy - What We DON'T Know About The Universe Warning: Try this in your classes only at your own risk! In this session we will define and examine the meager state of our understanding of the most important components of the universe - Dark Matter and Dark Energy. We'll talk about the astrophysical and laboratory attempts to measure these elusive quantities, and why, even in our deep state of ignorance, we can still trust Astronomy and Earth Science.
Marlene Schoeneck--Earth Science Teacher, Parker's Prairie
Dana Smith--Earth Science Teacher, Nicollet
Geological Time Scales and Rivers (Geologic time cards) (Timeline cards) Have you ever wondered how to teach geological timescales and rivers to students? These expert 6-12 teachers will demonstrate how they approach these topics in the classroom. See how they integrate STEM into earth science content lessons. Join us and watch the magic.
Michelle Commander--High School Earth Science Teacher, Dist 287
Websites and iPad Applications: Teaching Without a Textbook Choose an iPad or a PC to explore during this session. See how other earth science teachers have integrated technology into the classroom to address state state standards. Sample successful approaches which you may bring back to your classroom. Leave the session with a list of applications and websites that will inspire your students.
Kent Kirkby--Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota
Natural Disasters: Floods, Hurricanes and History All too often we tend to consider past disasters, such as floods, hurricanes as trivia, remembering a little more than a place and time, death tolls and cost. Yet, these events have an unparalleled ability to shape our history in myriad ways so their impacts can continue beyond their occurrence. So let’s explore a few ways in which our past disasters have shaped our present world.
Larry Rudnick--Professor in the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics at the University of Minnesota.
Dark Matter and Dark Energy - What We DON'T Know About The Universe Warning: Try this in your classes only at your own risk! In this session we will define and examine the meager state of our understanding of the most important components of the universe - Dark Matter and Dark Energy. We'll talk about the astrophysical and laboratory attempts to measure these elusive quantities, and why, even in our deep state of ignorance, we can still trust Astronomy and Earth Science.
Marlene Schoeneck--Earth Science Teacher, Parker's Prairie
Dana Smith--Earth Science Teacher, Nicollet
Geological Time Scales and Rivers (Geologic time cards) (Timeline cards) Have you ever wondered how to teach geological timescales and rivers to students? These expert 6-12 teachers will demonstrate how they approach these topics in the classroom. See how they integrate STEM into earth science content lessons. Join us and watch the magic.
