GREEN Teachers Institute
The GREEN (GRowing Environmental Education Now) Teachers Institute (GTI) is an award-winning professional development program for preK-12 teachers. GTI consists of a variety of one- and two-week summer workshops, each with substantial follow-up during the academic year. All workshops share the goal of helping participants enhance their natural and environmental science knowledge and employ hands-on and inquiry-based teaching methods in their classrooms. All workshops also emphasize environmental themes and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. We welcome teachers of any subject. For their participation, teachers receive graduate credit from Miami University as well as a selection of books and supplies for use with their students.
The 2010 GREEN Teachers Institute will offer three multidisciplinary enhancement programs. For each program, participants will receive a total of six graduate credits through Miami University (four for the summer and two for the school year); books, equipment, and materials; and a waiver of tuition and fees. In return, they will be required to attend daily sessions of a two-week summer workshop and meet certain performance objectives (develop classroom activities and keep a journal notebook, for example). Participants also are required to attend two follow-up Saturday seminars during the academic year. Teachers may apply for no more than two workshops each summer.
Environmental Education through Inquiry
WHY: The purpose of Environmental Education through Inquiry (INQ) is to help elementary teachers become more knowledgeable and comfortable when leading their students on outdoor experiences. Field and laboratory work, emphasizing the inquiry method and hands-on activities, provide participants with an in-depth knowledge of the natural history, flora, fauna, and environmental characteristics of local natural areas, as well as local issues of environmental concern.
WHO: This workshop is open to 45 teachers; each participant must be an elementary or junior high school teacher (grades K-8) for 2010-2011. Because this project is designed to improve environmental education at the K-8 grade level, we ask that anyone selected for the project whose status changes and who will no longer be teaching grades K-8, let us know as soon as possible. Applicants from both public and private schools are welcome. We will be outdoors a lot, so participants must be in reasonably good health and like to walk!
STAFF: The project is directed by Steve Eshbaugh, Director of the GREEN Teachers Institute (GTI) and Environmental Educator, Hefner Zoology Museum. With an advanced degree in environmental education from Miami University, Steve has helped to develop and lead several GTI workshops, including the first-ever Environmental Education through Inquiry in 1992. After returning to Miami in 2008, he co-directed Museum Resources for Teachers in 2008 and 2009. Steve is author of Hands-on Environmental Education Activities for K-6 Teachers and is a former board member of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Don Koller, an elementary teacher and accomplished naturalist, has helped conduct GREEN Teachers workshops for many years. Adriane Ruther is a high school science teacher and is an experienced leader of the GTI workshop Museum Resources for Teachers.
COST: There is a $300 workshop fee (non-refundable after June 1st). In the past, many participants have been reimbursed by their school or district. Be sure to include your check, made out to Miami University, with your application.
Weekdays, June 14th-25th, 8:30 am–3:00 pm, at Miami University's Oxford Campus
NOTE: This workshop will be offered pending funding. We will know by May 15th whether or not it is funded, but don’t wait to sign up. Apply now! Be sure to include your check (for the $300 workshop fee) with your application; we won’t cash any checks until we are certain the workshop is funded and will be offered as scheduled. Check the website for updates.
Picture-Perfect Environmental Science
WHY: In this dynamic two-week workshop, teachers participate in several model lessons, learn the benefits and cautions of using children’s picture books in environmental science, become familiar with the essential features of inquiry learning and the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) 5Es model, learn how to incorporate research-based reading comprehension strategies into science inquiry lessons, and receive an annotated bibliography of picture books correlated with the Ohio Science Content Standards. The workshop will include visits by authors/illustrators of children’s books.
WHO: Picture-Perfect Environmental Science (PPES) is open to 45 teachers; each participant must be an elementary school teacher (grades K-5) for 2010-2011. Because this project is designed to improve environmental education at the K-5 grade level, we ask that anyone selected for the project whose status changes and who will no longer be teaching grades K-5, let us know as soon as possible. Applicants from both public and private schools are welcome.
STAFF: Picture-Perfect Environmental Science is directed by Steve Eshbaugh, Karen Ansberry, and Emily Morgan. Steve Eshbaugh has 25+ years of experience in environmental education, has twice received national awards for his work in interpretive writing, and has worked as a naturalist in Yellowstone National Park and with several private nature centers. Emily Morgan, a former middle and elementary science classroom teacher, is the High AIMS Science Leader. Karen Ansberry is the Elementary Science Curriculum Leader for Mason City Schools. Previously, she was a classroom teacher of grades 5 and 6. Emily and Karen are co-authors of the award-winning books, Picture Perfect Science Lessons and More Picture Perfect Science Lessons.
COST: There is a $300 workshop fee (non-refundable after June 1st). In the past, many participants have been reimbursed by their school or district. Be sure to include your check, made out to Miami University, with your application.
Weekdays, July 12th-23rd, 9:00 am–3:30 pm, at Miami University's Hamilton Campus
NOTE: This workshop will be offered pending funding. We will know by May 15th whether or not it is funded, but don’t wait to sign up. Apply now! Be sure to include your check (for the $300 workshop fee) with your application; we won’t cash any checks until we are certain the workshop is funded and will be offered as scheduled. Check the website for updates.
A People and Their Homeland: The Miami Tribe (Myaamia)
WHY: A People and Their Homeland: The Miami Tribe (Myaamia) introduces participants to the cultural history of the Myaamia as a living people, as well as to the natural history of their ancestral land, its plants, and animals. This workshop will serve as a model for a broader understanding of native peoples; participants can apply their newfound knowledge and perspectives to a study of other native cultures.
WHO: This workshop is open to 30 teachers. Five places are reserved for Miami tribal educators. Each participant must be an elementary, junior high, or high school teacher (grades preK-12) for 2010-2011. Because this project is designed to improve environmental education at the preK-12 grade level, we ask that anyone selected for the project whose status changes and who will no longer be teaching grades preK-12, let us know as soon as possible. Applicants from both public and private schools are welcome.
STAFF: Donald Kaufman and Daryl Baldwin are the project directors. Don Kaufman is the Director of the Center for Environmental Education. A member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, Daryl Baldwin is the Director of the Myaamia Project at Miami University. Instructors include Karen Baldwin, Don Koller, and Lisa Stiver. Karen Baldwin works part-time with the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma creating a series of native-language phrase booklets; she serves as a foods specialist for the Eewansaapita Summer Educational Experience for Myaamia youth in Oklahoma every summer. Don Koller, an accomplished naturalist, is a fourth-grade teacher at Summerside Elementary School in Clermont County. Lisa Stiver is a second-grade teacher with the Lakota School District and has helped conduct GREEN Teachers Institute workshops for many years. Consultants include Miami Tribe members Dani Tippmann, an expert in traditional ecological knowledge and plant use, and George Ironstrack, a former high school teacher in Chicago, Illinois, who has participated in Miami language renewal projects for the past ten years. Currently, George is the Assistant Director and Education Coordinator for the Myaamia Project.
COST: There is a $300 workshop fee (non-refundable after June 1st). In the past, many participants have been reimbursed by their school or district. Be sure to include your check, made out to Miami University, with your application.
Weekdays, July 26th-August 6th, 9:00 am–3:30 pm, at Miami University's Oxford Campus