Baltimore Partnership for Environmental Science Literacy

2014-2015 Teachers’ Institute

Baltimore Ecosystem Study ● Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Teacher Information and Application

Are you looking to enrich your environmental science knowledge and teaching skills?

Apply to participate in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) 2014-2015 Teachers’ Institute. We are looking for dedicated middle and high school teachers from the Baltimore Region to join this exciting year long program. We are specifically encouraging teacher teams to apply. An ideal teacher team consists of one science teacher and one teacher from another discipline (math, social studies, etc.) from the same institution.

STIPENDS NOW AVAILABLE in the amount of $100 per day. Applications accepted until full. Teachers seeking AU credits not eligible for stipend.

Participating teachers will receive:

·  A 5-day summer workshop (June 23rd-27th, 2014) focused on environmental science topics including: an exploration of the big ideas in environmental science in the urban ecosystems of Baltimore; instruction on carbon cycling and climate change, water flow and quality, and biodiversity through inquiry-based projects in the field and classroom; practice with inquiry and culturally relevant teaching; and a look at pathways of student thinking and learning about environmental science.

·  Three school year workshops (Saturdays) for added learning and sharing with other scientists and educators.

·  Ongoing support from Partnership scientists and educators throughout the 2014-2015 school year with planning and implementation of lessons.

·  Pre- and post-instruction student data to help prepare for your teaching, and to assess its’ impacts.

·  MSDE Continuing Professional Development Credits (CPD’s) or Academic Unit (AUs) available upon course approval

As a teacher participating in the 2014-2015 Teachers’ Institute, you will agree to:

·  Attend and actively participate in the full Baltimore Partnership for Environmental Science Literacy - Summer Workshop, June 23rd - June 27th, 2014.

·  Attend and actively participate in 3 days of professional development workshops during the 2014-2015 school year and complete follow-up assignments for each.

·  Complete pre- and post-program assessment surveys about your environmental science knowledge and about your teaching.

·  Teach at least one curriculum unit, either from BES or of your own design based on your experience.

·  Administer assessments to students as part of our on-going research into student thinking and learning.

·  Complete all project evaluation surveys and, where appropriate, participate in individual or focus group interviews on specific topics and/or teaching practices.

·  Respond to journal prompts after each school year workshop.

·  Prepare a portfolio at the end of the school year that will include: brief commentary about your teaching and its impact on your students, sample lesson plans with comments about student thinking and learning, assignments and samples of student work in response to these assignments, and other materials demonstrating your activities and/or your student attainment.

For more information contact: Bess Caplan, Ecology Education Program Leader, 410-455-1863,

Application Form - 2014-2015 BES Teachers’ Institute

Please complete the following application and send it, along with a current resume, to Bess Caplan, Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, TRC 173, Baltimore, MD 21250; or email to .

Name:
School Name:
Home Address:
Work Phone: / Cell Phone:
E-mail:
Best time and manner to contact you (specify email or phone, home or work)
Describe your teaching experience by filling out the table below
# years / Grade / Subject(s)
Describe your teaching assignment. Please indicate if this information is for (check one):
2014-2015 (preferred)
2013-2014 (if you don’t know your assignment for next year)
Now please fill in the chart below for each class or course you teach.
Course or Class Name and Topic / Grade(s) / # classes / # students/
class / Timing (minutes/period, periods/week, etc.) / Does it include environmental science?
Please describe your teaching style or approach by addressing the following questions.
a) How do you use hands-on learning from authentic materials and fieldwork?
b)  How do you use formative assessment and other ways of probing student thinking in shaping how you teach?
c) How do you relate the topic you teach to students’ culture, place and everyday lives?
Explain what you hope to gain from this experience by completing the following table.
Goal of Teachers’ Institute / How important is this goal to you? Use scale
0 = not important,
1 = somewhat important,
2= moderately important, and
3 = extremely important / Please explain your answer, giving specific things you hope to gain in each area.
Learn cutting edge environmental science.
Acquire new techniques for looking at and responding to student thinking.
Receive new curriculum materials, supplies and resources.
Be part of a research project about environmental science teaching and learning.
What administrative support do you have for incorporating new lessons and teaching approaches into your teaching?
How do you think your participation will benefit your students?
Are you applying as part of a team? If so, please list the name of your other team member(s).
Y/N / Team Member Names:
Do you have access to an outdoor space for investigations near your school, and do you have your school’s support / permission for using this space in your teaching?
Y / N / Explain: