TEACHER OPPORTUNITIES

Educator involvement is integral to achievement of the BES mission. Opportunities exist for educators working with students at every stage of learning --- K-12, undergraduate, and graduate. Teachers involved in after school, community or summer groups are also welcome to share our resources.

Current Professional Development Opportunities

Integrating Chemistry and Earth science (ICE)

A program for Baltimore City Public School high school Chemistry teachers

ICE is a three-year project funded by the National Science Foundation to develop a unit for the new Baltimore High School chemistry curriculum that brings earth science into the chemistry curriculum. It will include concepts, datasets and protocols for addressing the question, “How does chemistry shape the physical environment of Baltimore?”

Project Partners include the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Baltimore City Public Schools and George Washington University.

ICE is currently recruiting Baltimore City high school chemistry teachers for its Summer Chemistry Academy.

When will the Academy take place?

Part A (Unit 6): June 24^th -28^th, 2019.

Part B (Unit 7): July 15^th-19^th, 2019.

What will happen in the Summer Chemistry Academy?

Each of the two weeks of the Summer Academy chemistry teachers will:

· Engage in 3D learning about Earth science and chemistry to understand compelling phenomena in the local environment (Unit 6: Why is Baltimore so Hot?, Unit 7: Life and Death of Baltimore’s Mountains).

· Gain confidence in teaching the lesson sequence of the Unit.

· Join a team of fellow teachers, scientists and educators.

Teachers can participate in one or both weeks of the Summer Academy, and will receive AU and CPD Credits upon completion. To participate: complete the application at the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/JihX41QeqfXArXlW2

Comp Hydro: Integrating Data, Computation and Visualization to Build Model-based Water Literacy

We are nearing the end of a three year project working with High School Environmental Science and Technology teachers from the Baltimore City Public School System. Comp Hydro is a project conducted by the Baltimore Ecosystem Study and funded by the National Science Foundation, to integrate computational thinking, data analysis, and data modeling into instruction about groundwater and surface water systems.

Today, cutting-edge advances in environmental sciences often are made with the aid of computational research using “big data” sets that are publicly available online. Scientists use big data to model complex systems, deepen understanding of how these systems function, and make predictions about potential changes in Earth’s climate, hydrologic and ecological systems. Computational thinking is a key scientific practice emphasized in the Next Generation Science Standards, and Comp Hydro is designed to address this practice with innovative instructional materials, professional development and research.

Contact Information

For additional questions about this project, contact Bess Caplan, caplanb@caryinstitute.org

Past Professional Development Opportunities

Maryland's Changing Hydrology Summer Workshop - July 17-20, 2017 8:30am-4pm daily

Baltimore Ecosystem Study educators and scientists explored the big ideas in watershed science in the urban ecosystems of Baltimore. Teachers learned about water flow, quality and stream biodiversity through inquiry-based projects in the field and classroom. Delved into pathways of student thinking and learning about environmental science. Explored mathematical modeling and computational thinking. Received curriculum materials and other teaching resources. Two MSDE CPD credits were provided to teachers completing the course.

Pharmaceuticals in Streams with special guest, Dr. Emma Rosi - March 26, 2017

The Baltimore Ecosystem Study hosted a one day workshop for middle and high school teachers on the topic of Pharmaceuticals in Streams. Renown ecologist, Dr. Emma Rosi joined with BES educators to bring an exciting, educational and innovative workshop to Baltimore. Participants delved into topics in environmental science including stream health, urban hydrology, and freshwater systems. We explored Dr. Rosi's latest research highlighting pharmaceuticals found in streams in Baltimore.

Urban Tree Education Project

The Urban Tree Education Project (U-TEP) is a week-long professional development program for middle and high school teachers to increase teacher knowledge, understanding and skills for collecting long-term data on and teaching about trees as critical components of urban ecosystems. Course content includes:

• Strategies for increasing comfort and confidence in using the schoolyard in your teaching
• Practice conducting a series of investigations including protocols on tree species composition, transpiration, decomposition, herbivory and phenology
• Data analysis using the i-Tree model

U-TEP is open to middle and high school teachers (elementary school teams of teachers will be considered) from the Baltimore region and across all disciplines. We strongly encourage teams of teachers from the same school to apply to the program. Baltimore City Public School teacher participants are eligible for AU credits. Participants from other school systems are eligible for a small stipend upon completion of the course.

Urban Ecosystem Teacher Institute

Our Urban Ecosystem Teacher Institute brings together dedicated middle and high school teachers from the Baltimore Region together with BES educators and scientists in an exciting year long program. Teachers from all disciplines are welcome to join us as we delve into environmental and social 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, biodiversity, and environmental history and justice 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.

Research Experiences for Teachers