Middle and elementary school teachers are invited to participate in an intensive study of field ecology at the University of Minnesota and Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.
During this two-week summer workshop taught by expert elementary and middle school teachers, and U of M scientists, you’ll learn field techniques for studying insects, ways to collect data, and basic insect ecology. The course blends lab activities, research and lectures designed to enhance your understanding of scientific inquiry and provide new ideas to meet the requirements of standards-based education.
We will spend three days during week one at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. Week two will focus on techniques for transmitting these new principles to students, as you engage in activities that will be directly transferable to the classroom.
This course has a stronger emphasis on inquiry-based research than our Insect Field Ecology course for elementary teachers, but is appropriate for elementary teachers interested in this focus. It is designed for teachers who would like to enhance their own understanding of field ecology as they prepare to teach these concepts to their students; there is ample time for grade-level interactions.
University of Minnesota,
St. Paul campus, and Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, Lanesboro, MN
Dr. Karen Oberhauser and middle and elementary school teacher co-instructors: Cindy Petersen, Caroline Waskow and Jeannie Ness.
Course fees, materials, lunches, per diem, a stipend and three graduate credits will be covered for Minnesota teachers by a grant from the MN Office of Higher Education’s Improving Teacher Quality Program.
Fill out online application or contact Karen Oberhauser at 612-624-8706 or oberh001@umn.edu. All participants must apply for admission to the course. Applications received by April 15 will be considered first, but applications will be accepted until the course is full.
