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 third year with a summer professional development institute, June 29 through July 1, 2015. We are looking for 15 teachers to join our snowpack project team and to bring snowpack research into their classrooms in the coming school year. Join us!

The three-day professional development institute will cover project- and research-based learning, systems and modeling, and climate literacy—all within the context of understanding Maine's changing climate. The institute is limited to 15 teachers. Teachers will study microhabitats in the vicinity of the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park in 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 question through final presentation, paired with conversation and reflection with other educators, teachers will be in a better position to support participatory science research activities in their classrooms.  (2) Collaborative data analysis and presentation, coupled with a review of data literacy concepts and skills inventories will assist teachers in helping students achieve competence and confidence in working with data.

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

TIMING:   Monday, June 29, 2015-Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Session will begin at 10:00 and will wrap up late Wednesday afternoon. (Sunday night accommodations are available for teachers traveling longer distances.) 

COSTS/STIPENDS:  There is no cost to teachers participating in the institute.  Food and lodging are provided. Participants will receive a stipend of $300 for the 3-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: Contact Hannah Webber at Schoodic Institute (). 

TO APPLY:  Apply online   Application deadline- April 30, 2015.

Want to know more about the project? Have a read!