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Elementary school teachers:

July 10-12, 2012, 9am-4:30pm.
FEE: $50 ($40 Early-bird)

The Cary Institute is offering professional development for teachers who are interested in learning about biodiversity by exploring their schoolyards, backyards, and the broader Hudson Valley.

Through ecological research, lectures, field explorations, and discussions, we will learn how to help students understand key ideas about biodiversity, how to sample biodiversity, and how to incorporate this important idea into your classroom. 

High school and middle school teachers:

August 20-24, 2012, 9am-4:30pm
FEE: $100 ($80 Early-bird)

The Cary Institute is offering professional development for teachers who are interested in learning how to explore ecosystems using the Hudson River as a model. 

Through ecological research, lectures, field explorations, and discussions, we will explore how the Hudson River ecosystem has changed over time, focusing on the disturbances of invasive species, pollution, and climate change.   

You will also learn how to conduct secondary research using an online graphing tool developed by the American Museum of Natural History based on Cary Institute science, and how to scaffold this experience for your students.  

Space is limited! Apply before April 1, 2012, for the early bird discount!:

To take part in the program, simply fill out a registration form. If you register before April 1st, we will contact you by April 15th, 2012, to confirm your participation. If you are unable to pay the program fee, please contact us for scholarship information. The fee covers snacks and coffee, materials, and tuition. Please do not send money at this time; once we contact you we will give you information about paying the fee. Registration closes June 1st, 2012, or when space is full.

For Middle and High School: If you are interested in receiving graduate credit through SUNY New Paltz, please contact us.

2011 photos and details >>

2011 agenda >>

Fellowships

Two Fellowships are available for middle and high school teachers interested in a more intensive professional development experience. 

• Communicating Tidal Marsh Ecology & Change: Middle or high school teachers who are interested in learning about how local wetlands will be affected by sea level rise, and how to teach this idea to students, are encouraged to apply. We are looking for two teacher fellows who will refine and/or develop new educational materials to help students understand changes in freshwater tidal marshes. The Fellowship will begin in the summer of 2012 with a full-day field trip to a tidal marsh, and an introduction to the project, existing materials, and available resources. Fellows are not required to be in residence for any particular span of time and so long as they meet milestones, they will receive a $2,500 stipend for participation. Teachers should expect to work the equivalent of 12 days during the summer, and 6 days during the following school year, when materials will be piloted and evaluated in the classroom. Travel support and some funds for classroom materials are also available.
  
  Details >>
  
• Data Explorations in Ecology Project (DEEP) Fellowships: 

  High school teachers who are interested in a one-year project to understand how using local and/or real-time data in the ecology curricula helps students become better environmental citizens should contact Cornelia Harris, harrisc@caryinstitute.org for more information.
  
  This Fellowship includes professional development that will take place from August 13-17, 2012. During the 2012-13 school year, there will be five professional development sessions for teacher fellows, who will also be expected to implement curriculum in their classroom as part of this research project. Teachers will receive a stipend to compensate for their time, in addition to travel support and funds to purchase materials for their classrooms.  
  

Here are a few FAQs about our Summer Institutes:

As an Elementary School teacher, what should I expect from this Institute?
During the Institute, we will hear from scientists who are leaders in the field of ecology.  Breakout sessions will allow you to get more in-depth information from our scientists, design and conduct your own field research, and learn how to apply the information in the classroom.  We will also be thinking about how to incorporate the English Language Arts skills into our science lessons, as well as math skills that are so important to doing scientific investigations.  

As a Middle School or High School teacher, what should I expect from this Institute?
During the Institute, we will hear from scientists who are leaders in the field of ecology. Breakout sessions will allow you to get more in-depth information from our scientists, design and conduct your own field research, and learn how to apply the information in the classroom. We are striving to provide enough choices so that teachers with different levels of expertise can select the topics and workshops most appropriate to them. Data analysis skills will also be a part of the upper level workshop, so that teachers can become comfortable using real data in their classrooms.

I already attended an Institute at Cary, what would I gain by returning?
While our core pedagogies of inquiry-based, outdoor, science education do not change, each Institute is focused on different themes. In the past, we have focused on Climate Change, Water Cycles, Food Webs, Biodiversity, and Ecological Evidence.

For Elementary School teachers: This year, our focus will be on biodiversity. 
For Middle and High School teachers: This year, our focus will be on the Hudson River, using new lessons we have developed on evolution and ecology and a suite of materials from our partner, the American Museum of Natural History.

Where will the Institute take place?
The Summer Institute will take place mainly at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, with field trips to local streams, ponds, and wetlands. Affordable accommodations are available; contact us for more information.

Will I get PD credit?
For Elementary School teachers: You can obtain 21 hours of professional development credits.
For Middle and High School teachers: You can obtain 35 hours of professional development credits.

Can I receive graduate credit? 
For Middle and High School teachers, we will be offering graduate credit through SUNY New Paltz. You must register through the university, and also register through the Cary Institute. The Cary Institute’s fee for the summer institute will be waived if you decide to take the course through SUNY New Paltz.

How much does it cost?
For Elementary School teachers our fee is $50 ($40 for early birds). For Middle and High School teachers, our fee is $100 ($80 for early birds). The fee includes coffee and snacks, handouts, and tuition. The cost for graduate credit is handled through SUNY New Paltz.

How do I register?
Register online >>

I still have some questions. Who should I contact?
Cornelia Harris at (845) 677-7600 x321 or harrisc@caryinstitute.org . 

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