The annual EAST-WEST Fall Retreat will be held at the Alta Peruvian Lodge, Alta, Utah, September 19-21, 2008.

On Friday, Sept. 19th, we will be meeting at the GK Gilbert Geologic Park at 8:30 am (see map below).  We will be taking a field trip up the canyon and collecting data along the way.  Please dress in layers, bring a raincoat and possibly snowboots (see pics from 2006 if you don't believe me!)!  Dr. Jim Ehleringer, famous biologist and husband of teacher Edna Ehleringer, will be leading us in this scientific activity!  Friday afternoon will be packed with activities and information.  Our "official" agenda will end at 5:00 pm with dinner at 6:00 pm.  However, there are many unscheduled, yet very productive conversations to be had in the hot tub that night.

Saturday, Sept. 20, we will be doing field activities in Albion Basin (again, prepare for weather!) and then finishing off the day with a keynote address from Dr. Larry Lowery, professor emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley.  Dr. Lowery was the principal investigator for both the EQUALS math program and FAMILY MATH at the Lawrence Hall of Science.  He was also the Principle Investigator for FOSS (Full Option Science System), a hands-on science curriculum for grades K-8.   Dr. Lowery also writes and edits books including "The Kingfisher Science Encyclopaedia", "Pathways-Guidelines to Implementing the Science Standards", "How Science Curriculums Reflect Brain Research", "Teaching for Inquiry", "Developing Minds", and "The Nature of Inquiry". 

We will finish off Saturday evening with a dinner at 6:00 pm with Dr. Lowery.  Please note that both Friday and Saturday night dinner is for EVERYONE this year so please let me know if you won't be there to eat.  You are welcome to stay overnight on Saturday night as well, just know that we won't be feeding you on Sunday!

Sunday, Sept. 21 is for WEST Fellows only.  Put on your thinking caps on and get ready to eat.  We'll be done by noon on Sunday.

**Please let me know what nights you will be needing a room for (on the registration form).  We are going to be tight on rooms this year so if you won't be staying, please let me know.

**If there are other teachers at your school that would like to attend the retreat, they are more than welcome but please make sure that they register.

**Remember that the Fall Retreat is part of your obligation as an EAST fellow, WEST fellow, or participating teacher.

Teachers and EAST Fellows should plan on attending from 8:30 am on Friday, Sept. 19 to approximately 5:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 20.  SLCSD will pay for one substitute teacher per school on Sept. 19 (sub code #193).

WEST Fellows should plan on attending from 8:30 am on Friday, Sept. 19 to approximately noon on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Co-PIs, faculty advisors, and school principals are encouraged to attend any or all of the retreat, please register to reserve a room and so that we will have an accurate count for meals. WEST and EAST will pay for all accommodations and meals for required participants.

What to bring:  Casual clothing for both indoors and outdoors.  Weather at Alta in September is highly variable so be prepared with both warm and cool weather clothing (note: in 2005 we were in T-shirts, in 2006 we got 10 inches of snow!). Bring a water bottle and a pair of tennis or hiking shoes for our field excursions.  You may want to bring a camera and a swimsuit for "meetings" in the hot tub!  Bring any schedules or calendars to assist in planning. Be aware that we are renting the lodge during a time when it is not normally open, therefore, many typical services (i.e. room service, house keeping) will not be available.

 Please fill out the online registration form below by September 17, 2008 and indicate if you have any special considerations (food allergies, etc.). Call (801-587-7865) or email Holly Godsey (hsgodsey@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

Click here to register for this event.