STEM Ed Announcement: The Natural History of Massachusetts, teacher course

[mort@k12s.phast.umass.edu]

This is not a UMass Program.
 Contact information is below.
 ================================
 
 The Natural History of Massachusetts.
 
 
 We have good news!  We have extended the deadline to register for the
 course for Elementary and Middle School Teachers - "The Natural History
 of Massachusetts."  The new deadline is Sept. 15, but space is limited.
 Please check out the information below and share with your colleagues.
 
 The Natural History of Massachusetts -
 A Course for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
  
 
 Instructor:    Ted Watt, Naturalist/Environmental Educator
  
 
 Dates:           
 Saturdays: Sep 18, Oct 2, Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr
 9, Jun 11, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
                       
 Sundays: Nov  14, Dec 5, 1-4 pm
                       
 Saturday: May 14, 5am-5 pm (coastal trip to Plum Island)
                       
 Wednesdays: Sep 29, Oct 13, May 25, Jun 8, 3:30-5:00 pm
                      
 (Rain Dates: Oct 30, Mar 5 and Jun 4)
 (37.5 hours instructional time, times listed above include some travel times)
  
 
 Cost:    
 $450 for 67.5 PDPs only ($200 Deposit Due Upon Registration)
              
 $900 for 67.5 PDPs and 3 graduate credits through UMASS
 
 Division of Continuing Education (awarded upon completion of course in May 2011)
  
 
 Course Description:
 Have you wanted to take your students outdoors but felt uncertain about
 your own knowledge of whatâ??s out there?  Have you been seeking to
 deepen your knowledge of plants and animals and the land?  Most
 elementary and middle school students are very excited to be in
 nature.  Being outdoors can be a tremendous motivator for learning in
 science as well as other disciplines. In this year-round, content-based
 course, we will study the natural history of western Massachusetts.
  
 Time will be spent building a strong foundation of natural history
 identification skills and knowledge of habitats and local ecology.  The
 course will be held largely outdoors observing and identifying plants
 and animals and keeping a record of your observations. Some of our
 field time will be spent on the school grounds of participating
 teachers. Participants should be prepared to spend time outdoors in a
 variety of weather conditions, including light rain and the cold of
 January.  Each participant will create an independent project where
 they explore more deeply one aspect of local nature of their choosing.
  
 This course is designed to be fun, engaging, and content rich. Three
 graduate credits through UMASS Division of Continuing Education will be
 offered in addition to 67.5 professional development points. There will
 be a total of 37.5 hours of instructional time over the school year. 
  
 Ted Watt is a highly skilled naturalist and environmental educator with
 over 30 years of field and classroom experience. He has worked
 extensively with schools and school districts throughout the region to
 strengthen science education using the outdoors.  His special areas of
 knowledge are birds and plants.  He has studied nature since he was
 young, has a BA in biology, and has continued his studies both
 informally and formally with the New England Wild Flower Society,
 Massachusetts Audubon Society, Humboldt Field Research Institute at
 Eagle Hill, and the Great Smoky Mountains Wildflower Pilgrimage.  Ted
 has worked at the Hitchcock Center since 1984 and has also worked at
 two of the wildlife sanctuaries of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
  
 SPACE IS LIMITED
  
 FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL TED AT  ted@hitchcockcenter.org
 OR TO REGISTER, CALL SUSAN HEITKER AT THE HITCHCOCK CENTER AT
 (413) 256-6006 BY SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
 --

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