BIORETS Santa Cruz River

Conserving water resources and riparian biodiversity in a changing desert climate

Our National Science Foundation-funded Biological Research Experience for Teachers Site  (BIORETS) was designed to give grades 6-12 science teachers in the Tucson metro area, including the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Nations, an immersive summer research experience along the Santa Cruz River. The goals of the program are to demonstrate the complexity of our regional water cycle, including re-use of treated wastewater, and how that benefits the biodiversity of aquatic and riparian plants and animals in our city.  The program includes a six-week, full-time, paid research and professional development experience during the summer, followed by financial and logistical support to develop research projects with your students in the following school year. We also provide significant networking activities to connect teachers with all types of natural resources professionals and education specialists in our community, including agencies (e.g. Tucson Water, Pima County Parks and Recreation), non-profit organizations (e.g. Tucson Audubon), and educational and community science specialists (e.g. National Phenology Network).  All teachers of science classes grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to apply, and we also encourage applications from more than one teacher at each school. 

Primary components of the BIORETS Santa Cruz River program

Research experiences

The program provides immersive experiences in how to design and implement wildlife and plant monitoring studies that you can do with your students in your classes. You work closely with faculty and graduate student research mentors to learn research techniques and study design. 

Community connections

The program connects you with numerous important community members and stakeholders who manage natural and cultural resources in the watershed. This includes members of the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Nations, natural resources agencies (e.g. Tucson Water, Pima County), non-profits (e.g. Tucson Audubon), and educational specialists (e.g. National Phenology Network). 

Pedagogy and educational skills

The program provides significant pedagogical and educational professional development to help you: (1) develop scientific questions you can pose with your students; (2) collect, record, visualize, and analyze data in diverse ways; and (3) build a community of learners to enrich your classrooms and schools. 

Testimonials from the first cohort of teachers in the program (2022)

"I am so thankful to have been a part of this program. I wish I could do something like this every summer! BIORETS has definitely impacted my teaching practice and I am excited to implement the field techniques and utilize the data resources."

-- Rachel, 6th grade teacher

"Working with [the BIORETS research team] has been not just been a learning experience, but it's also been a rich life experience. BIORETS is the bomb!" 

-- Julie, 7th and 8th grade teacher

"BIORETS was easily in the top 5 most fantastic experiences of my life -- this entire experience didn't even feel like "work" it just felt like I got to go outside and explore something every day."

-- Rebecca, 9th-12th grade teacher

"This program was valuable in terms of making me a better teacher but also spiritually. I feel like it brought back the curious child in me. I feel like I got paid to "play" all summer while I learned from professionals in the field, and now I'm full of new ideas that I get to bring back to my students." 

-- Lydia, 6th grade teacher

"Making connections with the various stakeholders involved in the stewardship of the water supply and native wildlife species was a huge plus."

-- Sharon, 9th-12th grade teacher

"I am excited to use everything from this experience in my classroom. And we learned a lot from the Native communities [in the watershed]. This program actually lived up to University of Arizona's land acknowledgement and included a lot of Native perspectives."

-- Lana, 6th grade teacher

"It was wonderful to be with an amazing group of unique individuals who managed to make learning science fun. And we have learned a lot from each other!"

-- Jean-Claude, 9th-12th grade teacher

"Through this program the networking has been awesome. The people I met through this program have made a such an impact on my life. This is a great opportunity, and I feel more confident as a teacher."

-- Jessica, 6th grade teacher

Important dates and links for the 2023 program year

Note: the application deadline for this year has passed but we will re-open the application portal for a new cohort of 10 additional BIORETS teacher participants in early 2024. 

Eligibility:  

STEM teachers for grades 6-12 at any Tucson metro area school, including the Tohono O'odham and Pascua Yaqui Nations


Application deadline for next cohort: 

March 17, 2023


This year's program dates: 

June 9 to July 19, 2023


Summer compensation: 

6-week summer stipend at full time = $6,240


School year compensation for monthly meetings, curriculum development, and field and class visits: 

80 hours total = $2,080


Budget to buy scientific classroom supplies: 

$2,000


Application link:

 https://forms.gle/3WadVWnF8yxDSVFf6



Advertising flyer for the 2023 cohort of teacher participants!