Acadia Learning is pleased to announce the kick-off summer institute for Year Two of the Snowpack Project!

The Future of Four Seasons in Maine: a Scientist-Teacher-Student Partnership to investigate climate change in seasonally snow-covered watersheds ( a.k.a. The Snowpack Project) kicks off its second year with a summer training institute, August 11 through August 14, 2014. We are looking for nine teachers to join our snowpack project team and to bring snowpack research into their classrooms in the coming school year. Joi us!

Summer Institute Description:

This summer the Acadia Learning program will offer a three and one-half-day workshop that will involve nine teachers in professional development in project and research based learning, teaching about systems and climate literacy. Teachers will engage in a study of a small watershed in the vicinity of the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) campus in Acadia National Park as preparation for engaging students in snowpack research during the upcoming school year.  By undertaking a compressed version of field-based science investigations that the snowpack project supports teachers will be better prepared to engage students in authentic research.  In addition to collecting and analyzing data, teachers will develop approaches to helping students learn to make sense of data, drawing upon the Acadia Learning Program’s research in the area of data literacy.

GOALS:  (1) By working together through a research project, from initial hypotheses through final presentation, coupled with conversation and reflection with other educators, teachers will be in a better position to support participatory science research activities in their classrooms.  (2) Collaboration and conversation as teachers analyze and present data, coupled with a review of data literacy concepts and skills inventories under development by the Schoodic Institute and the University of Maine, will assist teachers in helping students achieve competence and confidence in working with data.

SETTING:  The summer institute will take place on the SERC campus in Acadia National Park, surrounded by spruce/fir forests and the rocky coast of the Atlantic.

TIMING:   Institute participants will arrive at SERC Monday morning, August 11.  (Sunday night accommodations are available for teachers traveling longer distances.)  Sessions will begin at noon on Monday and will wrap up Thursday morning, August 14.

COSTS/STIPENDS:  There is no cost to teachers participating in the institute.  Food and lodging are provided. Participants will receive a stipend of $350 for the 3½ -day institute.

SPONSOR ORGANIZATIONS:  The Acadia Learning project is a joint effort of the Schoodic Institute and the University of Maine’s School of Forest Resources and Climate Change Institute.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY:  Contact Hannah Webber at Schoodic Institute ().  Online application form:

Applications are due before July 11, 2014.