Take two weeks this summer to train your eye to view your schoolyard as a resource for student investigations. Expert classroom teachers and U of M scientists will teach simple field techniques for studying the plants and animals in urban, suburban and rural schoolyards.
Teachers will deepen their understanding of ecology and research during two days at the Cedar Creek Natural History Area, meeting with ecologists and touring their research sites.
The inquiry focus of the course is woven into the study of ecological sustainability, with field and classroom study of the relationship between biodiversity and long-term ecosystem health. Expert elementary teachers who use their schoolyards and gardens for student inquiry will lead participants in schoolyard field research.
Master Gardeners will be available to help you develop or enhance a schoolyard garden. Teachers will collaborate in grade specific groups to integrate these experiences into their curriculum and to address standard requirements.
University of Minnesota,
St. Paul campus and Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve
Dr. Robert Blair (U of M), Susan Barrott (U of M), Lis Young-Isebrand (former high school teacher) Ann Hobbie and other expert elementary classroom teachers, and graduate students Reba Batalden and Alma DeAnda.
Fill out online application or Lis Young-Isebrand at 612-625-8304 or lis@monarchlab.org. 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.
