Baltimore Ecosystem Study Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Opportunities for Educators - Research Experiences for Teachers, 2009

Ecology Research Experiences for Teachers 2009:
A Program of Independent Research in Ecology for Teachers of Grades 6-12
 
Baltimore Ecosystem Study - Towson University - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
 
Updated March 5, 2009
 
Four Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Fellows will join the unique Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) research and education community in 2009. The Fellowships are an integral part of the Environmental Science Literacy (ESL) Project funded by the National Science Foundation at four Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites around the nation. Fellows will acquire strong research skills and a deeper understanding of cutting edge ecology, while contributing to the development of environmental science literacy frameworks and teaching resources for teachers and students in grades 6-12.

Each Fellow will:

  • Spend 6 weeks during the summer and the equivalent of 1 week during the school year as a participant in the project. The school year schedule is flexible.
  • Enroll (free of charge) and participate in a 2-credit course, Investigating Urban Ecosystems: Research and Teaching Applications, through Towson University.
  • Carry out a cutting-edge investigation of their own design, working closely with a mentor scientist. Possible research topics include:
    • Urban Stream Hydrology
    • Community Ecology in Stream Ecosystems including studies of stream invertebrates and water quality
    • Nitrogen Deposition in Urban Settings
    • Science Education Research
  • Develop a classroom application of their research project to use in their teaching.
  • Join the ESL Project’s Research Team to participate in research into teacher and student thinking and learning.
  • Participate in 5 professional development workshop days during the school year.
  • Receive on-going support from Project scientists and educators as they implement new teaching approaches in their classrooms and schoolyards. schoolyards.
In addition, RET Fellows will have the following options:
  • Apply to become an ESL Project Lead Teacher, taking a leadership role in providing professional development and support to fellow teachers.
  • Participate in an exchange with RET Fellows from one of the other sites in the national ESL Project (Santa Barbara Coastal LTER, Short Grass Steppe LTER in Colorado, or Kellogg Biological Station LTER site in Michigan).
Fellows will have work space in the ESL Project offices at the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Towson University. Laboratory facilities and other resources for research support are available at Towson, at the BES research offices at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, or at other collaborating institutions in the Baltimore area. Additional facilities are available, if needed, at the Cary Institute site in Millbrook, NY.
 
Program Details:
 
Dates: June 28-August 6, 2010 (tentative dates, final dates will be agreed upon with your mentor).
5 additional days (or the equivalent in part-time work) during the 2010-2011 school year to complete curriculum development. Schedule is flexible.
5 one day workshops to be held during 2010-2011 school year. Dates TBD.
Eligibility: Science teachers of grades 6-12 that are in residence in Baltimore during the summer Fellowship period are eligible to apply. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its possessions. We select Fellows for whom we think a research experience will be most valuable, both for their own professional development and for their students. Fellows need the strong endorsement and support of their school’s administration, and must demonstrate that she or he will be able to implement new ecology lessons during the school year. Applicants with prior coursework in environmental science will be given preference.
Stipend and other benefits to Fellow:
  • $3,000 stipend for summer, $1,000 for school year
  • $500 allowance for supplies, travel or other expenses to support research and implementation with students in the 2010-11 school year.
  • 2 graduate credits from Towson University.
  • Ongoing professional support.
To apply: Send the following to Dr. Berkowitz at the address below (email preferred):
  1. a letter of interest explaining how the experience will benefit your teaching and your students
  2. a statement of which research topics most interest you
  3. a description of your teaching background and projected teaching activities in the 2010-11 school year
  4. names and contact information for three references
  5. a letter of endorsement signed by your school principal and department chair.
For more information: Alan R. Berkowitz, Ph.D.
Head of Education
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
PO Box AB
Millbrook, NY 12545
Phone: (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 Fax: (845) 677-5976
Email: berkowitza@caryinstitute.org
Deadline:
Selection and notification of Fellows will be completed by mid April 2009.

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