If you like the idea of a classroom alive with plants and inquisitive students, join us! This two-week workshop for elementary teachers with three follow-up meetings in the academic year focuses on how to use plants in inquiry-based science.
You’ll take part in hands-on activities with seeds and germination, roots and shoots, leaves and photosynthesis, reproduction and flowers. In each of these areas, you will explore concepts and activities suited for classroom use at multiple grade levels.
During the workshop, you will have the chance to ask an “I wonder” question and pursue an answer by designing and conducting a simple investigation. By the conclusion of the two-week workshop, you’ll have a working knowledge of plants and an action plan describing goals and classroom activities to engage your students.
As you leave for the new school year, you’ll take resources such as a light stand for plants that you built yourself plus pots, soil, ideas, and support from the instructors to put your plan (or plants) and students into action.
University of Minnesota,
St. Paul campus and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Dr. Susan Wick, Dr. Emily Hoover, Dr. Thomas Soulen, Jane Phillips, Sandra Mackey, arboretum staff and expert elementary teachers.
Course fees, materials, per diem, lunch, and two graduate credits will be covered by a grant from the MN Office of Higher Education’s Improving Teacher Quality Program.
Fill out online application or contact Sue Wick at 612-625-4718 or swick@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.
Because shared experiences make it easier to implement changes in your classroom, we strongly encourage you to come in teacher-pairs (or more!) from a school.
