You, your students, and the Vital Signs community
Published:April 14, 2009
The following message is being sent on behalf of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Any questions on the Vital Signs program can be directed to Sarah Morrisseau at vitalsigns@gmri.org.
Thank you
The MLTI Team
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The Gulf of Maine Research Institute seeks Maine teachers interested in transforming how students learn science in their grades 7 and 8 classrooms.
We are looking for 30 teachers to join the Vital Signs team to engage, challenge, and mobilize students across the state to contribute to an authentic science research effort (See Program Overview below).
This new cohort of Vital Signs teachers will be invited to a 3-day Teacher Institute in August 2009. Teachers will have firsthand experience with all components of the Vital Signs program from framing issues and research questions to data collection, peer review, data analysis, reflection, and final project creation. Each day offers a chance to work collaboratively with fellow educators from around the state, sharing time, energy, and ideas. Teachers and their students will be active participants and contributors to the Vital Signs online science community through the 2009-2010 school year and beyond.
Vital Signs Teacher Institute
Who: Grades 7 & 8 science teachers
When: August 19, 20 & 21, 2009
Note: We are considering a second Institute in late July. If late July would make you happier than August, please let us know in your correspondence.
Where: Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Portland
Highlights:
Connect your students with the scientific community Experience inquiry and other essential elements of scientific practice Become familiar with Vital Signs technology, standards-aligned curriculum, and community resources Do authentic field work in freshwater and coastal systems Understand how to incorporate Vital Signs into your current curriculum Opportunity to collaborate and network with similarly-inspired teachers throughout Maine, including 13 already participating in and advising Vital Signs Perks:
Suite of Vital Signs field equipment 30 Contact Hours awarded upon workshop completion $150 stipend upon workshop completion Lodging in Portland’s Old Port provided on 8/19 and 8/20 for those from away Mileage reimbursed for those traveling over 20 miles Please express interest by JUNE 1, 2009:
Send a quick email to Sarah Morrisseau at vitalsigns@gmri.org that includes:
Your name
Your school or organization
The grade(s) and subject(s) you teach
Your preference for August (19, 20, 21) or late July (TBD)?
A short and sweet statement about why Vital Signs interests you
Vital Signs Program Overview
Vital Signs is an authentic inquiry-based, field science education program that links 7th and 8th grade students and scientists in the rigorous collection and analysis of essential environmental data across freshwater and coastal ecosystems. Innovative technology, relevant content, and critical partnerships create an authentic science learning experience for students, a distributed data gathering network for scientists, and a statewide community of teachers, students, citizen scientists, and professional scientists collaborating to learn about and steward the Gulf of Maine watershed. Learn More: http://gmri.org/education/vitalsigns.asp