Next summer, the NSF-funded program On the Cutting Edge will offer a 4-day workshop on Teaching Paleontology in the 21st Century. We've included details about the workshop at the end of this e-mail. If you do not teach paleontology, we hope that you will pass this information on to other colleagues who might be interested in the workshop. The workshop will be held from July 30-August 3, 2009 at Cornell University and the Paleontological Research Institute in Ithaca, NY.
This workshop will be patterned after the very successful workshops on Teaching Mineralogy (1996), Teaching Petrology (2003), Teaching Structural Geology (2004), Teaching Hydrogeology (2005), Teaching Sedimentary Geology (2006), Teaching Geophysics (2007), and Teaching Geomorphology (2008) (http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/).
You can find the on-line application and more information about the workshop at
The application deadline is February 6, 2009. If you are interested in attending the workshop, we hope that you will apply early. If more qualified applicants apply for the workshop than we have space for, we may choose to use the date of application as one factor in determining the final workshop participant list.
Sincerely,
Workshop co-conveners Barb Tewksbury, Warren Allmon, Rowan Lockwood, Bruce MacFadden, Margaret Yacobucci
Details about the workshop:
This workshop will bring together college and university faculty who teach paleontology to explore a wide variety of topics related to teaching paleontology effectively both in paleontology courses and as parts of other courses taught in the geoscience curriculum. Participants will share exemplary laboratory, classroom, museum, and field activities, discuss course content and curriculum, explore strategies for integrating paleontology concepts and activities across the curriculum, consider the challenges associated with teaching evolution, and address issues in teaching and learning paleontology concepts and processes.
All participants will submit at least two activities or assignments for actively engaging students in the classroom or for providing effective and innovative lab or field experiences. These activities will be shared with other participants either as posters or short oral presentations during the workshop and on the Cutting Edge web site ( http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/).
Applicants for this workshop must hold a faculty teaching position at a two- or four-year college or university and have responsibility for teaching undergraduate paleontology. The workshop fee of $250 covers meals and double-occupancy rooms for the workshop. Travel costs to/from the workshop must be borne by the individual or home institution. Our National Science Foundation grant provides funding for the remainder of the operational costs of the workshop.
Barbara Tewksbury
Department of Geosciences
Hamilton College
198 College Hill Rd.
Clinton, NY 13323
voice: 315-859-4713
fax: 315-859-4807
email: btewksbu@hamilton.edu
The SVP election for 2009 will be held by electronic ballot starting Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. Central Time Zone (USA) and ending Monday, May 18, 2009 at midnight Central Time Zone (USA).
The 2009 election slate, inclusive of candidate biographies, is located in the Members’ Only area of the SVP Web site.
DEERFIELD, IL (December 2008) When you take a bite out of a hamburger or chomp down on a piece of gum, you share this function of the lower jaw with the vast majority of animals. But not all: for some animals, lifting the head rather than dropping the jaw is a good idea. This bizarre reversal of how feeding occurs was achieved in 210-million-year-old amphibians, as described in the December 2008 issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
The animals in question are plagiosaurs – a group of flat-headed, armored amphibians unrelated to living amphibians such as frogs, salamanders and caecilians. Fossils of this group of animals have been known for a hundred years, but finds of complete specimens have been elusive. The article, authored by a team led by Dr. Farish A. Jenkins, Jr. of Harvard University, describes new, relatively complete material of a plagiosaur called Gerrothorax pulcherrimus from the 210-million-year-old Fleming Fjord Formation of East Greenland. “With their very flat, heavily armored bodies, short, stubby limbs, massive shoulder girdles and well-developed gills, these amphibians are an oddity by any measure,” says Dr. Jenkins. “The animals could throw their heads upward and backward, creating a huge mouth gape with only the slightest lowering of the lower jaw… perfect for a bottom-dwelling ambush predator,” he continues. By special adaptation of the joint between the skull and first neck vertebra, the animal was able to raise its head relative to its lower jaw by as much as 50 degrees, giving it the wide gape it needed to swallow its unsuspecting prey. “That the same species is found in Greenland as well as Western Europe and Scandinavia suggests that their unique structure was hugely successful,” said Dr. Anne Warren of La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, a member of the team that conducted the study.
ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
Founded in 1940 by 34 paleontologists, the Society now has more than 2,300 members representing professionals, students, artists, preparators and others interested in vertebrate paleontology. It is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes, with the object of advancing the science of vertebrate paleontology.
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (JVP) is the leading journal of professional vertebrate paleontology and the flagship publication of the Society. It was founded in 1980 by Dr. Jiri Zidek and publishes contributions on all aspects of vertebrate paleontology.
IMAGE
Reconstruction of head lifting during aquatic feeding in Gerrothorax pulcherrimus, Upper Triassic, Greenland. Drawings by L. L. Meszoly; composition arranged by D. Smiley
CONTACTS Dr. Farish A. Jenkins, Jr.
Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology
Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and Museum of Comparative Zoology
Harvard University
Phone: +1-617-495-2499 fjenkins@oeb.harvard.edu
Dr. Neil H. Shubin
Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy
The University of Chicago
Chicago IL 60637
Phone: +1-773-834-7472 nshubin@uchicago.edu
Dr. Stephen M. Gatsey
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Phone: +1-401-863-3770 stephen_gatesy@brown.edu
Dr. Anne Warren
Department of Zoology
La Trobe University
Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia
Phone: +61-03-9479-2241 a.warren@latrobe.edu.au
You'll find a large assortment of items to choose from including: a huge variety of shirts and t-shirts, tracksuits, caps, sweatshirts, boxer shorts, children’s clothing, aprons, dog clothes, backpacks, totes, coffee mugs, license plate frames, notecards, clocks, beer steins, magnets, buttons, calendars, tiles, framed prints, pillows, teddy bears, bumper stickers and more.
The site is managed by CafePress and can be reached through clicking on the link above.
NOTE: While at the SVP online store, you can return to the SVP Web site at any time by clicking on the words, “Society of Vertebrate Paleontology” in blue on the left side of all merchandise pages.
Program for Scientists from Economically Developing Nations is Now Open To Receive Applications
SVP has established a new program to promote opportunities for international scientists to attend the annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP). This annual award provides travel expenses to enable recipients from economically developing nations to present research in any area of vertebrate paleontology at the Annual Meeting.
Application materials will be accepted (by E-mail, fax or standard postal mail) between December 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009 at midnight Central Time USA.
It is my privilege to announce two new SVP programs designed to serve vertebrate paleontology in developing nations:
Program for Scientists from Economically Developing NationsA program designed to enable scientists from nations with developing economies to present research at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) Annual Meeting. There will be at least one award granted in 2009.
The program will be managed by the new Program for Scientists from Economically Developing Nations Committee, chaired by Nancy Stevens, with members: Larry Flynn,Eva Koppelhus, Octavio Mateus, Sifa Ngasala (student member) and Anne Schulp. Read more about the program.
AND
Institutional Membership: A Program for Institutions of Economically Developing NationsThis program is established to promote access by scientists and students to the scientific activities of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. The program is particularly intended for those who are based at institutions with limited funds and therefore limited opportunity for membership in SVP. Institutions would be promoted by Society members for “Institutional Membership,” which would offer electronic access to the Society, gratis.
The program will be managed by the Membership Committee, chaired by Larry Flynn.Read more about the program.
A Call for Patterson Memorial Grant Award Applications
Applications for the Patterson Memorial Grant Award are due Tuesday, January 15, 2009. The application date was moved up so the winners could be selected in April and the grant funds could be used for summer projects. The award, named in honor of Dr. Bryan Patterson, supports graduate and undergraduate student field work in vertebrate paleontology.
NEW! There is a new Patterson award amount this year of $2,700 if one award is made, or $1,350 per award if two awards are given.
To apply for the award, follow the instructions and complete and submit the electronic application by midnight central time zone, January 15, 2009. Mail the sponsor signed copy (postmarked) no later than January 30, 2009. Faxed copies of the signed application will NOT be accepted. Applicants and their sponsors must be SVP members or pending members. The Patterson Grant award winner(s) will be notified by March 14, 2009.
A Call for Symposia The Program Committee for the SVP 69th Annual Meeting, to be held at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom, September 23-26, 2009, is calling for symposia proposals.
Proposals should include a concise description of the symposium topic including its significance and specific relevance to the particular meeting time and location (if appropriate), and a list of speakers and preliminary titles. Symposia are four hours in duration and include 16 presentation slots. Five or six poster presentations are also welcome. Proposals should not exceed two pages in length.
Please send proposals to Jason Head, program committee chair at: jason.head@utoronto.ca .
The deadline for proposal submission is Monday, December 1, 2008.
Jason J. Head
SVP Program Committee Chair
A Call for Field Trips and Workshops
The Host Committee for the SVP 69th Annual Meeting, is calling for workshop and field trip proposals, including pre- and post-meeting events.
The 30-minute video of SVP member interviews – as seen at the awards banquet at the 68th Annual Meeting in Cleveland - is now available on the SVP Web site (under the "Society" tab) .
WE ARE SVP celebrates the extraordinary world of vertebrate paleontology and provides a unique glimpse into the diversity of its scientists and pursuits. It is introduced and narrated by Sam Waterston, long-time star of television's "LAW & ORDER."
To complement WE ARE SVP, thirteen in-depth videos will further explore many of the topics raised in the main video. These are also available on the same page on the Society's Web site.
WE ARE SVP is the first video produced by our society. It was produced and directed by Steven Cohen with scientific consultants Louis H. Taylor and Louis L. Jacobs, all SVP members. The society gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Executive Producer Mr. Ray H. Marr of Shade Tree Studios, in Dallas, Texas, for his contribution of film, editing crew, and editing studio.
WHAT IS A VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGIST? NEW VIDEO HAS AN ANSWER.
Few scientific pursuits fascinate like digging up fossils. But despite this fascination with fossil-hunting – one aspect of the field of vertebrate paleontology – most people would be hard pressed to explain what a vertebrate is, or what a paleontologist does. Now a 30-minute video provides just such an explanation. And in the process, the sponsors hope to educate, entertain and perhaps inspire a few future paleontologists.
WE ARE SVP a 30-minute video sponsored by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP), premiered on the society’s website at: http://www.vertpaleo.org/video/WeAreSVP/index.cfm , on October 29, 2008. This video celebrates the extraordinary world of vertebrate paleontology and provides a unique glimpse into the diversity of its scientists and pursuits. It is introduced and narrated by Sam Waterston, long-time star of television’s “LAW & ORDER.”
“This video shows the breadth of our members, their research and what motivates them,” said Catherine Badgley, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan and past president of SVP. “It shows how relevant vertebrate paleontology is to environmental challenges today.”
In WE ARE SVP, scientists discuss their research and its broad implications: evidence for evolution, insights into global climate change and a better understanding of extinction.
“This video gives the public the inside story on our membership—why they became paleontologists, what inspires their research and what they do on a day-to-day basis,” said Blaire Van Valkenburgh, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Los Angeles and current president of SVP. "Children of all ages who love dinosaurs and sabertooth cats will enjoy learning about the folks behind the fossils," said Van Valkenburgh.
Scientists also describe the exhilarating experience of finding fossils in the field and studying them in the laboratory. WE ARE SVP illustrates why paleontology is the preferred gateway into the world of science for many young people.
To complement WE ARE SVP, thirteen in-depth videos further explore many of the topics raised in the main video. These will also be available on the society’s website.
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, founded in 1940, is the premier scientific society for vertebrate paleontology: the study of vertebrate fossils, evolution and ecology. Currently, the society has over 2,300 members from more than 50 countries. WE ARE SVP is the first video produced by the society.
WE ARE SVP was produced and directed by Steven Cohen with scientific consultants Louis H. Taylor and Louis L. Jacobs, all SVP members. The society gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Executive Producer Mr. Ray H. Marr of Shade Tree Studios, in Dallas, Texas, for his contribution of film, editing crew and editing studio.
Contacts:
Blaire Van Valkenburgh Louis H. Taylor
President of The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology SVP Development Committee Chair
Professor 4931 W Rowland Ave
UCLA Dept. of Ecology & Evo Bio Littleton, CO 80128-6419
621 Charles E. Young Drive South loutaylor44@aol.com
PO Box 951606 (303) 972-8955
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606 bvanval@ucla.edu
(310) 794-9398
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Dr. Yousry Attia was Egypt’s principal vertebrate paleontologist. He received his Bachelor’s degree in geology from Cairo University, and worked for many years with Duke, Michigan and Penn paleontologists. Yousry rose to become director of the Egyptian Geological Museum, where he retired in 2006.
Yousry was born on February 6, 1952, and died one week ago, October 11, 2008. He died at the airport in Cairo on his way to continue a paleontological field project in Saudi Arabia.
Yousry is survived by his wife Ekram, two sons Saad El-Din and Mohammed, and
two daughters Venus and Marwa, living in Cairo.
Biography and photo courtesy of Philip D. Gingerich.
10:57:08 | 
The animals in question are plagiosaurs – a group of flat-headed, armored amphibians unrelated to living amphibians such as frogs, salamanders and caecilians. Fossils of this group of animals have been known for a hundred years, but finds of complete specimens have been elusive. The article, authored by a team led by Dr. Farish A. Jenkins, Jr. of Harvard University, describes new, relatively complete material of a plagiosaur called Gerrothorax pulcherrimus from the 210-million-year-old Fleming Fjord Formation of East Greenland. “With their very flat, heavily armored bodies, short, stubby limbs, massive shoulder girdles and well-developed gills, these amphibians are an oddity by any measure,” says Dr. Jenkins. “The animals could throw their heads upward and backward, creating a huge mouth gape with only the slightest lowering of the lower jaw… perfect for a bottom-dwelling ambush predator,” he continues. By special adaptation of the joint between the skull and first neck vertebra, the animal was able to raise its head relative to its lower jaw by as much as 50 degrees, giving it the wide gape it needed to swallow its unsuspecting prey. “That the same species is found in Greenland as well as Western Europe and Scandinavia suggests that their unique structure was hugely successful,” said Dr. Anne Warren of La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, a member of the team that conducted the study.
Dr. Yousry Attia was Egypt’s principal vertebrate paleontologist. He received his Bachelor’s degree in geology from Cairo University, and worked for many years with Duke, Michigan and Penn paleontologists. Yousry rose to become director of the Egyptian Geological Museum, where he retired in 2006.