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a professional development workshop for middle school science teachers
Ocean scientists throughout the U.S. are building and operating
a network of high-tech stations called ocean-observing systems.
During this workshop you will work directly and collaboratively
with scientists and educators to explore the research conducted
by Mid-Atlantic coastal observing systems and investigate how to
use observatory data to enliven and enrich your science lessons.
Motivated and enthusiastic middle school teachers from Maryland, Delaware,
New Jersey, New York and Virginia who teach science are encouraged
to apply. Consideration will be given to educators from
special needs districts.
It’s hard to resist the call of the oceans, especially ocean
exploration. Ocean observing systems use state-of-the-art equipment
to observe what’s happening underwater 24/7. Data from these
systems will enable scientist to generate forecasts of the ocean,
much like weather forecasts on TV today, as well as identify and
address environmental problems. This workshop offers you the opportunity
to be part of a new era in ocean exploration.
Oceans also make a difference in the classroom. Research studies
have shown that using the ocean as a focus for supplemental curricula
can improve students’ acquisition of basic scientific skills
and concepts, as well as language arts and math. In addition, as
future environmental stewards and decision-makers, students need
to understand ocean processes regardless of their location due to
the impact on our daily lives. This workshop offers you a unique
source of data and information to increase interdisciplinary, inquiry-based
learning in your classroom.
This workshop is offered by the Mid-Atlantic Center for Ocean Sciences
Education Excellence (MA COSEE), a consortium of research and science-education
institutions funded by the National Science Foundation.
The workshop will provide you with:
- six days of exciting classroom and field activities during the
summer
- a chance to investigate real-time (or near-real time) observatory
data
- two daylong follow-up sessions during the school year
- professional collaborations with scientists and science educators
from the mid-Atlantic region
- $100 worth of teaching materials
- a $1,000 stipend upon completion of workshop and follow-up requirements
- room and board for meeting dates.
The summer residential workshop will be held July 24 to 30, 2005
at the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science,
Horn Point Environmental Laboratory, in Cambridge, Maryland. Lodging
will be provided in Cambridge, Maryland.
The follow-up sessions will occur on a Saturday in October and
in April. Dates and locations to be determined.
We expect participants to:
- attend all sessions, including the summer session from Sunday evening
through Saturday morning, and the two Saturday follow-up sessions
- offer feedback as requested to improve the workshop or materials
presented
- work collaboratively (teams of fellow educators and scientists)
to develop a plan for using real-time data in your classroom
- implement the plan in your classroom during the school year and
provide feedback on what worked and what didn’t
- share what you’ve learned with your colleagues at an inservice
or parents at a parent or family night.
The application for this program is available
here. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to seeing
you this summer. Applications close on April 29. Notification of applicants will be on May 9.
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