NIU professors will be sharing their knowledge of science to area high school teachers in a conference next week.

“New Ideas in Science” is the title for the College of Continuing Education’s second annual conference for area high school teachers.

“The specific focus of the conference is for teachers,” said Geology Professor Eugene Perry. “It keeps them up-to-date on recent developments in the field. Our intent is to work with the teachers.”

However, students are not excluded from the conference.

“The conference is marketed for teachers, but students are welcome to attend,” said Donna Jones-Ilsley, coordinator of the College of Continuing Education.

Last year, about 125 teachers from area high schools attended, Jones-Ilsley said.

The theme of the conference this year is “Global Changes: Planet Earth and Beyond.”

“The professors will be presenting any recent findings in the geologic field. The NIU faculty donate their time for this conference in order to help link NIU to the community,” Jones-Ilsley said.

“It sounds like an interesting event and I plan on attending,” said Steve Parsons, sophomore geology student. “It is a good chance to learn in a more advanced environment.”

Registration fees for students are $20 with lunch or $10 without. Teacher fees are $35 with lunch or $25 without. The program is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. with registration and exhibits and conclude after a 1 p.m. luncheon.

The conference will be held on Friday, Sept. 27.

Students who are interested in registering should call 1-800-345-9472.