CONTENTS

Brochure (as PDF)

Application (as PDF)

Institute Focus:

Teachers will work with an interdisciplinary research team to investigate forest-based ethanol production from the perspectives of ecological economics, spatial statistics, conservation biology, forest and landscape ecology, silviculture, and chemical engineering.

 

About the Institute

This 5-day Institute is designed to facilitate the understanding of biocomplexityand environmental sustainability. Participants will evaluate future energy choices using social science and environmental impact analysis tools and techniques. Life sciences, chemistry, engineering, technology, and social studies content expectations will be addressed. Michigan Technological University (MTU) brings together the expertise of university faculty, scientists, natural resource management professionals, and educators to conduct this Institute. The Institute will provide participants with standards-based professional development, an opportunity to participate in real-world, inquiry-based investigations, and time to share teaching ideas with their peers. Through lecture, hands-on data collection and analysis, field trips, laboratory experiences, and discussions with research scientists, participants will obtain new knowledge and skills that can be adapted to their work with students. Teachers will receive classroom resources and curriculum support materials.

Topics to be addressed at the Institute include:

  • Assessing public attitudes towards changing their energy and resource consumption habits, the critical need for energy diversification, and the potential viability of alternative energy sources.
  • Assessing potential changes in the local economy and community structure due to expanded timber harvests and sitingof a biomass plant.
  • The technology needed for processing tree biomass to energy.
  • Using avian populations to measure changes in ecosystem biodiversity due to increased timber harvest.
  • Measuring changes in landscape ecology as a result of altering forest species distribution.
  • Using GIS technology to inventory availability of timber supply and transportation routes for processing and marketing biofuelsfrom forests.


Participants will enhance their teaching skills—by sharing ideas and innovative approaches to curriculum development and delivery with other educators; and will be better able to guide their students’interestin science and engineering careers after interacting with a variety of scientists and natural resource professionals.


Institute Instructors

The institute will be taught by Michigan Tech faculty from several departments:

School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science

David Flaspohler, Ph.D. – ornithology, biodiversity, conservation biology

Ann Mclean, Ph.D. – GIS technology, biomass inventory assessment

Chris Webster, Ph.D. – quantitative landscape and forest ecology

Department of Chemical Engineering

David Shonnard, Ph.D. – technology for processing tree biomass to energy

Department of Social Sciences

Barry Solomon, Ph.D. – surveys to assess public attitudes, ecological economics, regional impacts of biomass ethanol

USDA Forest Service North Central Research Station

Maria Janowiak, M.S. - terrestrial carbon sequestration

 

Course Credit

Participants will earn three graduate credits (ED 5630) from Michigan Technological University. To receive credit, participants must:

  • Complete pre-course readings.
  • Actively participate in the entire Institute.
  • Keep a field journal during the Institute.
  • Design a5-dayteaching unit (rubric provided) that meets Michigan or national content standards due September 8, 2008.

    Participants should plan to implement their unit during the 2008-09 school year. ProfessionalCertificateThe credits earned from this Institute can be applied towards an 18 semester-hour planned course of study for teachers working toward their Michigan Professional Certificate. For more information about designing a planned course of study, contact Judy Anderson at the MTU Department of Cognitive & Learning Sciences at (906) 487-2460 or juanders@mtu.edu.

    M.S. Applied Science Education

    Graduate credits may also be applied towards Michigan Tech’s Master of Science in Applied Science Education program. For information about the program, contact Dr. Brad Baltenspergerat (906) 487-2460 or brad@mtu.edu. Participants interested in pursuing an advanced degree at Michigan Tech in a field other than education, should contact the department of interest (http://www.mtu.edu/).

    Houghton, Michigan

    Houghton and its sister city of Hancock, with a combined population of 14,000, have their roots in the copper mining days of the mid-19th century. Located on Portage Lake, a long, winding ribbon of water connecting to Lake Superior, Houghton has a picturesque waterfront with a 5-mile bike path. The nearby MTU Recreational Trail System offers 20+ km of running, hiking and mountain bike trails. The Keweenaw and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula offer unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreationbiking, fishing, backpacking, hiking, and kayaking. Men’s Journal recently ranked Houghton as one of the top 10 “healthiest, safest, and most fun places to live,”and National Geographic Adventure Magazine ranked our setting as one of America’s top 10 Summer Sports Meccas.

    Websites for More Information

    Michigan Technological University: www.mtu.edu

    Tourism information: www.thekeweenaw.com

    About Michigan Technological University

    Michigan Tech’s 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from an education that emphasizes study across disciplines, team learning, and research. Graduate students receive intensive, advanced instruction and the opportunity to pursue research in a wide range of academic programs. Michigan Tech has gained worldwide attention for innovative education; faculty members are active mentors; academic programs stress learning hand in hand with application, and Michigan Tech students are encouraged to inquire and discover knowledge.

    Cost

    Cost per participant for the 5-day Institute is only $450 for both Michigan and out-of-state participants, which includes four nights room/board, field trips, instructional materials, and tuition for three graduate credits from Michigan Tech University. (The actual cost of the Institute totals $1800.

    A grant from the National Science Foundation, along with adepartmental stipendfrom the School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science reduces the official 2007/08 MTU Graduate Resident and Non-Resident tuition of $369 per credit).

    Payment of the full registration fee is due Friday, May 30. Make checks payable to: Michigan Technological University. Refunds will be provided if the space is filled.

    Accommodations

    Participants will receive four nights lodging in MTU’s newly remodeled Wadsworth Hall in a single room with private bath and receive all of their meals from Monday lunch through Friday dinner. Michigan Tech Trails and downtown Houghton are within easy walking distance.

    Getting to Michigan Tech

    Michigan Technological University is located just east of downtown Houghton, MI. Houghton is served daily by Northwest Airlines (800-225-2525 or nwa.com) from Minneapolis through the Houghton County Airport in Hancock. Commercial taxi is available from the airport to the Michigan Tech campus for approximately $20 per person by calling Neil’s Cab at 906-482-5515.

    $200 Teacher Stipends 

    OfferedAfter the Institute, participants will be eligible to receive $200 for conducting one conference presentation, community outreach program, or journal article about forest-based ethanol production and biofuelsfor educators or the public.

    To Apply / More Information

    Application forms and or Brochure (as PDF)

    Participants are accepted on a first-come basis. Applications and full payment due by: Friday, May 30.

    Submit applications to:

    Joan Chadde,
    Institute Coordinator
    Western U.P. Center for Science, Math & Environmental Education
    105 Dillman Hall,
    Michigan Tech University
    1400 Townsend Dr.,
    Houghton, MI 49931
    Tel: 906-487-3341
    906-487-1620

    Email: jchadde@mtu.edu

    Need more credits!

    Attend another Michigan Tech summer institute. See: http://www.ed.mtu.edu/pd.html


  • Questions?

    Joan Schumaker-Chadde, Course Coordinator
    Western U.P. Center for Science, Math & Environ. Education
    105 Dillman Hall
    Michigan Technological University
    1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931
    Tel: 906-487-3341 Fax: 906-487-1620

    or jchadde@mtu.edu



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