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

ITINERARY: During this four-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: June 15 - June 18

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

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

STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $600 for teachers for full participation in the five-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park before November 30, 2009. Stipends will be issued in December 2009.

GRADUATE CREDIT: Three (3) graduate credits available from West Virginia University at current university rates. Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2009 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.

APPLICATIONS: Application must be received by May 15, 2009. No faxes please.

Download Application

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

ITINERARY: During this four-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 22 – June 25, 2009

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

TEACHER STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $600 for teachers for full participation in the 4-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park before November 30, 2009. Stipends will be issued in December 2009.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT:

• Three (3) graduate credits are available from Catholic University at current university rate (pending approval). Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2009 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 - 3 credits (Pending)

APPLICATIONS: Application and supporting documents must be received by May 15, 2009. No faxes please.

Download Application

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

ITINERARY: During this four-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 22 – June 25, 2009

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

TEACHER STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $600 for teachers for full participation in the 4-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park before November 30, 2009. Stipends will be issued in December 2009.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT:

• Three (3) graduate credits are available from Catholic University at current university rate (pending approval). Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2009 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 - 3 credits (Pending)
• DC Professional Learning Units (Pending)

APPLICATIONS: Application and supporting documents must be received by May 15, 2009. No faxes please.

Download Application

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

ITINERARY: During this four-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 29 – July 2, 2009

INSTITUTE TIMES: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

TEACHER STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $600 for teachers for full participation in the 4-day institute plus a follow-up field study with high school students in a national park before November 30, 2009. Stipends will be issued in December 2009.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT:

• Three (3) graduate credits are available from Catholic University at current university rates (pending). Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2009 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 - 3 credits
• DC Professional Learning Units (pending)

APPLICATIONS: Application and supporting documents must be received by May 15, 2009. No faxes please.

Download Application