2008 Summer Institutes:

These BTW summer institutes will prepare teachers to incorporate one or more of the BTW stand-alone curriculum modules into science courses. During these institutes, participants will explore the Potomac watershed to learn the local history, geology, and ecology and work with student investigations in the BTW curricula. An integral part of the institutes is an opportunity for teachers to engage in a field study in their participating parks to collect and analyze authentic data.

Building bridges between national parks and schools has been a main focus for BTW. The goal is to reach high school students and heighten their awareness of the real-world issues in their backyard—the Potomac watershed. During the institute, teachers and national park rangers (and volunteers in national parks) work together engaging in activities students will do in the classroom and work together in the parks getting their “feet wet” engaging in field studies.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: High school (grades 9 – 12) environmental science, Earth science, chemistry, biology, integrated physics teachers, National Park Service rangers and volunteers in parks

ITINERARY: During this 5-day institute, participants will learn BTW curricula and strategies to implement hands-on activities in the classroom, engage in field studies in national parks, explore ways to meet standards of learning, and complete a project due at the end of the institute.

INSTITUTE DATES: June 16 – June 20, 2008

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

TEACHER STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $625 for teachers for full participation in the 5-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park during September, October, or November 2008. Stipends will be issued in December 2008.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT:

• Three (3) graduate credits are available from Catholic University at a cost of $550. Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2008 semester. To receive graduate credit, in addition to full class participation and follow-up field study, teachers will be required to submit a portfolio of student work and program evaluation.
• MSDE three credits (Pending)
• DC Professional Learning Units (Pending)

TEACHER REGISTRATION: A $50 registration fee must be received with application. Make checks payable to Alice Ferguson Foundation. Your check will be returned if your application is not accepted. Registration fees are not refundable after May 22, 2008.

APPLICATIONS: Application, supporting documents, and registration fee must be received by May 22, 2008. No faxes please.

Download Flyer and Application

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: High school (grades 9 – 12) environmental science, Earth science, chemistry, biology, integrated physics teachers, National Park Service rangers and volunteers in parks

ITINERARY: During this 5-day institute, participants will learn BTW curricula and strategies to implement hands-on activities in the classroom, engage in field studies in national parks, explore ways to meet standards of learning, and complete a project due at the end of the institute.

INSTITUTE DATES: June 23 – June 27, 2008

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

TEACHER STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $625 for teachers for full participation in the 5-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park during September, October, or November 2008. Stipends will be issued in December 2008.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT:

• Three (3) graduate credits are available from Catholic University at a cost of $550. Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2008 semester. To receive graduate credit, in addition to full class participation and follow-up field study, teachers will be required to submit a portfolio of student work and program evaluation.
• MSDE three credits (Pending)

TEACHER REGISTRATION: A $50 registration fee must be received with application. Make checks payable to Alice Ferguson Foundation. Your check will be returned if your application is not accepted. Registration fees are not refundable after May 22, 2008.

APPLICATIONS: Application, supporting documents, and registration fee must be received by May 22, 2008. No faxes please.

Download Flyer and Application

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: High school (grades 9 – 12) environmental science, Earth science, chemistry, biology, integrated physics teachers, national park service rangers and volunteers in parks

ITINERARY: During this five-day institute, participants will learn BTW curricula and strategies to implement hands-on activities in the classroom, engage in field studies in national parks, keep a field journaling notebook, and complete a project due at the end of the institute.

INSTITUTE DATES: TBA

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

LOCATIONS (in the field and in the classroom): Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and Monocacy National Battlefield Park

STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $625 for teachers for full participation in the five-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park during September, October, or November 2008. Stipends will be issued in December 2008.

GRADUATE CREDIT: Three (3) graduate credits available from West Virginia University at a cost of $130. Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2008 semester. To receive graduate credit, in addition to full class participation and follow-up field study, teachers will be required to submit a portfolio of student work and a program evaluation.

TEACHER REGISTRATION: A $50 registration fee must be received with application. Make checks payable to Alice Ferguson Foundation. Your check will be returned if your application is not accepted. Registration fees are not refundable after June 1, 2008.

APPLICATIONS: Application must be received by June 1, 2008. No faxes please.

Download Flyer and Application