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Snapshots
of Previous "Paracelsus" Teacher Workshops
2007 K-12 activity photos
2006 K-12 Museum activity photos
"certainly
appreciate the recognition of our needs and your professional support"
"thanks 106!" (High school teachers, Anaheim 1996)
"have used
information many times" (One-year follow-up of high school teacher
participant, Cincinnati 1997) "...presentations were most beneficial-lessons
that we can apply to our classes now" (Seattle teacher, 1998)
"...this
is a great [teaching] unit to guide teachers by using hands on and
incorporating all subjects" (K-3 teacher, New Orleans 1999)
"very helpful
to me and increased my knowledge of toxicology. The Society of Toxicology
deserves a standing ovation for this workshop." (Philadelphia teacher,
2000 Paracelsus program)
These are but
a few reactions of the nearly 500 enthusiastic K–12 educators
who have attended special workshop programs offered by the Society
of Toxicology in conjunction with its annual scientific meetings.
These programs have come to be known as "Paracelsus Goes to School"
in honor of Paracelsus,
one of the founders of the field of toxicology. A 16th century physician
and alchemist, Paracelsus recognized many of the fundamental principles
of toxicology, including "dosis sola facit venenum", or "dosage
alone makes the poison". In the days of Paracelsus, arsenic and
other chemicals most people think of as simply "toxic" were also
sometimes used as remedies. Paracelsus also recognized that even
relatively harmless substances, such as oxygen and water, could
also be toxic if exposures were too high.
"Paracelsus"
programs offered by the SOT introduce K–12 educators to toxicologists
and to the interdisciplinary science of toxicology. Specific main
objectives are
- to inform
teachers about key principles, concepts, and careers in the environmental
health sciences field of toxicology;
- to provide
teachers with content and classroom materials on toxicology
and environmental health sciences subjects to help
make basic sciences
and math seem more relevant to students' lives; and
-
to establish links between SOT mentors and K–12 educators.
"Paracelsus"
Programs have been held in Anaheim, California (1996), Cincinnati,
Ohio (1997), Seattle, Washington (1998), New Orleans, Louisiana
(1999), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2000), San Francisco, California
(2001), Nashville, Tennessee (2002), and Salt Lake City, Utah
(2003). As of 2003, workshop participants include a total of
687 teachers
from
418 different
public and private K–12 schools in these five major metropolitan
areas. Funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS) has included pay for substitute teachers, making
it easier for many teachers to be absent from the classroom for
a day to participate in this professional development activity.
Workshop content
and eligibility for attendance and workshop vary by location, but
a typical program usually offers the following:
- a basic introduction
to toxicology
- grade-specific
inquiry-based curricula that teach science and math concepts to
students
using real-world examples from toxicology and environmental health
science
- hands-on
instruction with teacher trainers
- small group
discussions with scientists willing to assist in the classroom
- opportunities
to attend SOT scientific sessions and exhibits
The vast majority
of teachers report never having had much exposure to toxicology
before the program, and evaluations show that all come away with
a much greater understanding of basic concepts, as well as new ideas
to implement in the classroom. Many toxicologists from universities
and other research institutions, private industry, and government
have also participated in "Paracelsus" programs as guest speakers,
mentors, and program organizers. With a new appreciation of the
challenges teachers face, many of these career scientists also make
an effort to spend additional time helping out in the K–12 classroom:
"talking
about resources we have that could help them was most beneficial"
(Seattle scientist mentor, 1998) "one on one interaction with the
teachers was most beneficial for both sides" (New Orleans Scientist
Mentor, 1999) "
...I plan
to visit 2 or 3 schools to discuss role of toxicology in society
as part of career day" (Philadelphia scientist mentor, 2000)
Paracelsus
Goes to the Classroom workshops for New Orleans teachers is
March 8, 2005
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