Courses and Workshops
Courses and Workshops
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Support Materials
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Lesson Plans
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Research with Students
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Community Learning Garden
We offer several professional development opportunities for teachers, ranging from
1-2 hour workshops in districts to intensive two week courses for graduate credit.
All of these are taught by teams of scientists and classroom teachers.
Two-Week Summer Courses 2011
To apply for any of the summer courses listed below, fill out an electronic application
(www.teachercourses.umn.edu)
or contact Lis Young-Isebrand. All participants
must apply for admission to the course. Applications received by April 15th
and teams of TWO or more teachers from the same school will be given
priority consideration.
Schoolyard Ecology Explorations for Middle
and High School Teachers
Target grades: 6-12
Learn how to investigate the ecology right outside your classroom door!
Middle
and High School teachers are invited to participate in an intensive study of field
ecology at the University of Minnesota and the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve.
This course is designed for teachers who would like to enhance their own understanding
of the practice of science as they prepare to teach these concepts to their students.
During this two-week summer workshop taught by expert secondary teachers and U of
M scientists, you’ll learn field techniques for studying plants and animals
using data collection and observation protocols appropriate for any schoolyard site.
You’ll deepen your understanding of ecological research during two days at
the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, meeting with ecologists and gaining exposure
to their research focused on biodiversity and long-term ecosystem health.
The course blends lab activities, field research and lectures designed to enhance
your understanding of scientific inquiry and provide new ideas to meet the requirements
of standards-based education, including science literacy and engineering. The strong
inquiry focus of the course is woven into the study of ecological sustainability
with both field and classroom study.
You’ll leave this class with proven lessons to deepen your students’
understanding of the process of ecological research and ecosystem health. You’ll
also gain a deep understanding of “hot topics” in ecology, from biofuels
to biodiversity. During the second week, you’ll collaborate in grade- and
subject-specific groups to integrate course experiences into your curriculum and
address the new Minnesota Science Academic Standards.
“This really is the most valuable education class I have ever taken!”
“I feel like my ‘tool kit’ (for conducting outdoor science inquiry)
has grown 10 fold!”
- recent participant quotes
Course dates: June 20-24 and July 11-14 (8:30 – 3:30 each day)
Location: University of Minnesota St. Paul campus and Cedar Creek
Ecosystem Science Reserve
Instructors: Dr. Robert Blair (U of M), Lis Young-Isebrand (U of
M), Cindy Petersen (St. Hubert’s Middle School), J Mclelland (Maple Lake H.S.)
and Sarah Weaver (St. Paul Public Schools).
Applications received by April 15th and teams of TWO or more teachers from the
same school will be given priority consideration.
All course fees, materials, lunches, per diem, a stipend and 3 graduate credits
are covered for Minnesota teachers by a grant from the MN Office of Higher Education.
Monarchs & More: Insect Ecology for
Elementary Teachers
Target grades: K-6
Gain confidence and expertise in scientific inquiry as you learn to observe, maintain
and collect insects appropriate for classroom and schoolyard study!
Do
butterflies and bees excite you? How about milkweed bugs and ants? Do you ever wonder
what’s creeping and crawling and flying through your schoolyard? Insects provide
a wonderful way to connect students to the natural world, and to teach basic science
concepts. In this intensive, fun, and inquiry-based study of insect ecology you’ll
develop your own inquiry skills and prepare to translate these skills to the classroom.
In the Monarchs and More course, requirements of standards-based education are woven
into skills and concepts addressed during field and classroom work, including the
nature of science and engineering and science literacy from new Minnesota Academic
Standards. You’ll observe, count, raise, and study a variety of insects and
the plants on which they depend, learning techniques that you’ll be able to
use from the first day of school through the entire year.
You’ll participate in hands-on studies and gain experience with the process
and practice of science and scientific inquiry by conducting investigations applicable
to your own and your students’ scientific learning. Throughout the course,
interdisciplinary connections and fun collegiality are emphasized.
“I am at such a different place in my knowledge and confidence level (with
science) than at the beginning of this course! Thank you for helping me gain that!”
“I can hardly wait to get back to school to share monarchs and insects with
my class!”
- recent participant quotes
Course dates: June 20–24 and July 11–14 (8:30 – 3:30 each day)
with two school year follow-up meetings
Location: University of Minnesota St. Paul campus
Instructors: Lead Instructor: Dr. Karen Oberhauser (U of M), Dr.
Michele Koomen (Gustavus Adolphus College), and expert elementary classroom teachers.
Applications received by April 15th and teams of TWO or more teachers from the
same school will be given priority consideration.
All course fees, materials, lunches, per diem, a stipend and 3 graduate credits
will be covered for Minnesota teachers by a grant from the MN Office of Higher Education
Improving Teacher Quality Program.
District Workshops and Residencies
Monarchs in the Classroom conducts on-site workshops
for 10 or more teachers. These workshops range in length from 1.5 to 7 hours, and
cost approximately $100 per hour plus travel. They cover basic monarch rearing techniques
and successful classroom lessons.
For information on organizing a workshop in your district, contact
Karen Oberhauser.
Minnesota Master Naturalist Program
The Minnesota Master Naturalist Program provides an exciting new opportunity for
adults who are curious and enjoy learning about the natural world. If you enjoy
hiking, bird watching, following tracks or identifying wildflowers, you’ll
love being a Master Naturalist. Anyone can participate: teachers, retired professionals,
nature guides, hunters, ecotour operators, farmers, and … You!
As a Master Naturalist, you'll join a statewide network of trained volunteers in
environmental education, interpretation and service; support conservation education
efforts throughout Minnesota; and increase Minnesotan’s understanding and
appreciation of the natural world. The program will offer three different courses,
locally taught, that correspond to Minnesota's three major ecosystem areas (focusing
on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems) – the Big Woods and Big Rivers,
the Northwoods and Great Lakes, and the Prairies and Potholes. Master Naturalists
complete 40-hour hands-on courses with expert instructors, studying natural history,
environmental interpretation and conservation stewardship. There is a volunteer
requirement for continued Master Naturalist status, and a wide variety of advanced
training and networking opportunities. The program is a collaborative partnership
between the University of Minnesota Extension Service and the Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources, and is funded by the National Science Foundation.
For more information about the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program, see
www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org.