Are you a Miami-Dade public middle or high school teacher interested in learning more about major environmental issues confronting South Florida?
The program will include a weeklong workshop from June 19-23, 2023 in Miami, followed by curriculum implementation and scientist school visits throughout the 2023-24 school year. Throughout the weeklong summer workshop, participants will combine outdoor experiences with science content presentations, active learning, and standards-aligned lessons for the classroom that exemplify one or more Earth and environmental system(s) of local relevance.
Activity modules will include learning about native and nonnative tropical plants, avian biodiversity; endangered marine species and coastal ecosystems; ancient life; iNaturalist citizen science; extreme weather, global sea-level rise, and more!
Participants will leave the workshop with lesson plans that are sure to get their students excited while being exposed to environmental and Earth systems science topics and the opportunity to work with cohort members and scientists throughout the year!
This opportunity has been graciously funded by the Batchelor Foundation.
A cohort of 12 Miami-Dade middle and high school teachers will be selected. Teachers who teach at public schools that receive Title I funds are especially encouraged to apply. Selected teachers will be required to participate in cohort activities running from June 2023-May 2024.
Workshop Dates & Location:
This year-long cohort will begin with an initial weeklong workshop on June 19-23, 2023 at various locations around Miami, Florida, and run through Spring 2024. Participants will be responsible for travel to and from any in-person cohort activities.
A detailed agenda will be provided to participants prior to travel.
Learning Goals and Benefits:
Participants will gain the following:
- Hands-on participation in the development of customizable, standards-based lesson plans and interactive activities.
- A chance to network with university researchers and like-minded teachers across the state.
- A $1,000 stipend for successful completion of the program components.
- Ability to expose students to environmental science and Earth systems science skill sets and career paths.
Workshop Components
Planned field trips:
- Monday – Garden tour of native and nonnative plants, Fairchild Gardens
- Tuesday – Shark tagging at sea, Florida International University and Angari Foundation
- Wednesday – Florida Bird Biodiversity and Migration, Bill Baggs State Park
- Thursday – NOAA lab & research tours covering hurricanes, ccean impacts, corals and water quality and sea turtle surveys
- Friday – Frost Museum of Science VIP tour & planetarium show
Activity modules will cover topics like:
- Tropical plants
- Avian biodiversity
- Endangered marine species and coastal ecosystems
- Ancient life
- Invasive species
- iNaturalist citizen science
- Extreme weather
- Global sea level rise
- & more!
Participants will be given a detailed agenda ahead of the workshop.
Participant Expectations
In order to receive the $1,000 stipend, participants must attend all cohort activities including:
- Attend the entire workshop and other required cohort sessions thereafter.
- Successfully complete and implement in your classroom a lesson or activity shared during the workshop during the 2023-2024 school year.
- Schedule a visit with a scientist to your classroom via the Scientist in Every Florida School Program during the 2023-2024 school year.
- Following standard policies and procedures, participate in and complete any evaluations, assessments, and surveys required as part of the program.
Eligibility
In order to be considered for this cohort, applicants:
- Must be a current public middle or high school teacher within Miami-Dade County. Teachers who teach at schools that receive Title I funds are especially encouraged to apply.
- Must plan to continue teaching science at a public school for the 2023-2024 school year.
- Must be able to attend and actively participate in all of the cohort programs.
- Must be enthusiastic to learn!
Deadline:
Teachers must apply by May 1, 2023 to be considered. Teachers will be notified of selection by May 5, 2023
To apply:
Please apply online by visiting the following link: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_die3fvXcSQQXPBc
*If you would like to first preview all questions, visit the following link to view a PDF version of the application: PDF Application
Program Collaborators:
- University of Florida-Thompson Earth Systems Institute-Scientist in Every Florida School
- Fairchild Tropical Gardens
- Xavier Cortada Foundation and Pinecrest Gardens
- ANGARI Foundation
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the Tropical Audubon Society
- National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Marine Order for Research & Action Through Environmental Stewardship (MORAES)
- Frost Science Museum