If you like the idea of a classroom alive with plants and inquisitive students, join us. This two-week workshop for elementary teachers (K–6), with three follow-up meetings in the academic year, focuses on the biology of plants and how to use them in inquiry-based science.
You’ll learn about seeds and germination, roots and shoots, leaves and photosynthesis, reproduction and flowers. In each of these areas, you’ll have a chance to try a variety of activities suited for classroom use at multiple grade levels. During the workshop, you’ll also design and conduct a simple investigation centered around questions about plants.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a specific action plan for engaging your students in one observation and one investigative activity during the following school year. You’ll take away a light stand for plants that you built yourself plus pots, soil, ideas and resources.
July 14–25, 2008
University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (2 days)
Dr. Susan Wick, Dr. Emily Hoover, Dr. Thomas Soulen, Jane Phillips, Sandra Mackey, Arboretum staff, and expert elementary teachers
Course fees, materials, per diem, lunch, and two graduate credits will be covered by a grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s Improving Teacher Quality Program.
Fill out the online application or contact Sue Wick at 612-625-4718 or swick@umn.edu.
All participants must apply for admission to the course. Applications received by April 15 will be considered first, but applications will be accepted until the course is full.
Because shared experiences make it easier to implement changes in your classroom, we strongly encourage you to come in teacher-pairs (or more!) from a school.
