MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (INC)
Grant: $2,499,351 - National Science Foundation - Aug. 26, 2009
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Award Description: In project GlobalWatershed, graduate Fellows will conduct research in watershed science topics, at a range of scales and cultural contexts, while working with middle/high school teachers to create lesson plans that transfer this knowledge to their students. The goals of GlobalWatershed are to (a) expand traditional STEM graduate student training to allow graduate students to acquire improved teaching and communication skills and to gain a greater appreciation of the scientific context of their research, and make this expanded training a permanent fixture at MTU and to enrich STEM learning and instruction in local K12 schools serving low-income and high Native American populations and a Sonora, Mexico K12 school system, specifically by translating state-of-the-art watershed research to the K12 level, and make this enrichment sustainable at these schools. Fellows will receive training in effective teaching techniques, learning styles, lesson planning, classroom management, ways of assessing science proficiency, inquiry-based approaches for teaching science, teaching concepts of scientific research, and indigenous perspectives and awareness and sensitivity to other ways of learning. Teachers will attend professional development workshops to learn about watershed science research and methodologies. Lesson plans and units will be developed by Fellows and teachers on a range of watershed topics, to be incorporated into secondary school curricula, including science, mathematics, and social studies. These materials will be aligned with appropriate Michigan and Sonora educational standards.
Project Description: The goals of GlobalWatershed are to (a) expand traditional STEM graduate student training to allow graduate students to acquire improved teaching & communication skills & to gain a greater appreciation of the scientific context of their research, & make this expanded training a permanent fixture at MTU & to enrich STEM learning & instruction in local K12 schools serving low-income & high Native American populations & a Sonora, Mexico K12 school system, specifically by translating state-of-the-art watershed research to the K12 level, & make this enrichment sustainable at these schools. Up to 18 GK12 Fellows will receive training in effective teaching techniques, learning styles, lesson planning, classroom management, ways of assessing science proficiency, inquiry-based approaches for teaching science, teaching concepts of scientific research, & indigenous perspectives & awareness & sensitivity to other ways of learning. Up to 18 middle school teachers will attend professional development workshops to learn about watershed science research & methodologies. Lesson plans & units will be developed by Fellows & teachers on a range of watershed topics, to be incorporated into secondary school curricula, including science, mathematics, & social studies. These materials will be aligned with appropriate Michigan & Sonora educational standards. The project has been underway since August 26, 2009. Efforts have focused on developing details on the coursework & in-school aspects of the GK12 fellows’ program. An internal web site has been set up for the project participants. Materials have been developed for recruiting GK12 Fellows. We expect that the first fellows will begin the program in summer 2010. A half-time admin support person has been hired. A web developer has been recruited for developed the external web site. The program has been publicized nationally through press releases & an article in the American Society for Engineering Education’s (ASEE) 'First Bell e-letter.
Infrastructure Description: N/A
Jobs Summary: N/A (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 26, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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