2014 Summer Institutes & Courses For Teachers

June 23-27, 2014 Forest Ecology Teacher Institute on Belle Isle in Detroit, MI. 

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Through pre-course readings, presentations, field trips, hands-on data collection, classroom activities, visits to Hardwoods of Michigan sawmill &kiln‐drying operation and a school forest, and an overnight at Hawk Woods Nature Center, participants will obtain new knowledge and skills that can be incorporated into their science, social studies or math curriculum. Presenters include scientists, university faculty, natural resource managers, and expert educators. Participants will learn tree ID, forest measurements, forest health, disease & insect pests, forest soils, carbon sequestration, best management practices, and sustainable forest management. Teachers receive $100 of forestry-related classroom supplies, including tree field guides, Project Learning Tree (PLT)   K-8 Activity Guide, PLT Focus on Forests, PLT Forests of the World, and more. Teachers who complete all course requirements, including pre-course reading reflections and development of two lessons, can earn two  graduate credits from Michigan Tech University.  
Cost:  $250* includes five lunches, 2 MTU graduate credits, instructional materials, field trips, and overnight at Hawk Woods. 

For more information: Joan Chadde at jchadde@mtu.edu or 906-487-3341

*Cost is reduced due to generous support from a U.S. Forest Service grant to help reduce official MTU tuition (2013/14 Official Applied Science Education Graduate Resident & Non-Resident tuition is $514 per credit).

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July 7-11, 2014 Global Change Teacher Institute at Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI

This 5-day Institute will prepare you to engage your middle and high school students in a real-world study of the effects of global change on ecosystems, including the impacts of climatic change on forests--- elevated carbon dioxide and ozone levels, nitrogen saturation, acid rain, and invasive species. Teachers will participate in the MEECS Climate Change workshop and receive NEW MEECS Climate Change Unit. 

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July 14-18, 2014  Great Lakes Watershed Investigations Teacher Institute at Michigan Tech University

Explore the physical, chemical, and biological components of the Great Lakes ecosystem, using the Lake Superior watershed as the classroom: collect data aboard the Agassiz research vessel, visit streams, wetlands, stewardship projects; and participate in an Earth Force stewardship workshop and MEECS Water Quality Unit workshop and receive  both resources.

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July 21-25, 2014  Geology & Mineral Resources of Michigan's Upper Peninsula

This five day institute is designed to provide teachers with the background to teach about the geology of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as well as the engineering and societal issues related to mining. Participants will take field trips to explore the geology of the Western Upper Peninsula, visit both historic and active mines, and learn about Earth Caching and how it can be used to enhance your instruction. Through lecture, field trips, hands-on activities, and readings, participants will explore local history, rock identification, geologic history and time scales, plate tectonics, geologic controls of mineral resources, mining engineering, and environmental impacts of various mining techniques.

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 Partially supported by a grant from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium..

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