Department of Science

New Jersey Audubon's Teacher's School of Ecology sponsored by Ashland, Inc.
July 29 through August 2, 2019
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary - Bernardsville, NJ

This week-long summer institute for teachers in grades 4 through 8 offers in-depth experiences that use observable phenomena in the watershed as a basis for building effective field and classroom study. By connecting the classroom to the real world, teachers help students become more aware of the world around them, take an active role in preserving their local environments and acquire the critical thinking, problem solving and basic life skills necessary to become informed global citizens.

Teacher's School of Ecology models best practices in field study with students, utilizes local phenomena as a platform for 3 Dimensional lesson design, integrates modern pedagogy into classroom lessons and provides opportunities for teachers to integrate natural system studies and sustainability education into their existing curriculum.

For more information or to register:  https://tsoe2019.eventbrite.com
Contact Kelly Wenzel at kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org<mailto:kelly.wenzel@njaudubon.org>

NJ School of Conservation Teaching Scholar Program: Biodiversity Field Methods
June 24-28, 2019
COST: FREE Scholarships will be funded by National Geographic and Montclair State University. Scholarships include all meals, on-site lodging and educational resources.
This five-day summer professional development workshop for middle school science teachers will focus on an extended hands-on experience in assessing ecosystem biodiversity. Teachers will work alongside academic researchers and professional scientists to identify flora and fauna in the forest, stream and lake ecosystems in and around the NJ School of Conservation (NJSOC) within Stokes State Forest. Teachers will learn field methods and improve their content knowledge in biology, ecology, and environmental science. Teachers will contribute to a NJSOC Bioblitz event scheduled to coincide with the workshop, allowing teachers to utilize the concept and curriculum materials for National Geographic’s and iNaturalists’s Bioblitz program. The concluding activity will be for the workshop participants to translate their newly developed skills to their classroom, school and local community by creating a lesson or unit plan that applies workshop learning. Full workshop description can be found HERE. Deadline to apply: April 1, 2019

Tanya Sulikowski
Environmental Educator/Researcher, NJ School of Conservation 
Montclair State University
1 Wapalanne Road
Branchville, NJ 07826
973-948-4646

Visualizing Natural and Human Changes In Earth Systems

NJESTA – BTANJ Workshop
Applying Science Practices to Data Collection in The Field
April 6, 2019
Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Most schools have access to outdoor spaces to collect data related to localized phenomena. However, the challenges in doing so include minimal teacher experience, lack of supplies, safety in the field, and connecting the content to science content in meaningful ways. This one-day workshop will provide support in all these challenges as participants identify ecology and Earth science phenomena and collect field data at Duke Farms to make sense of the phenomena. Join NJ Earth Science Teachers Association (NJESTA) and the Biology Teachers Association of NJ (BTANJ) on Saturday April 6, 2019 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ for this middle school and high school level workshop linking core ideas, science practices, and crosscutting concepts. Participants will receive materials that will assist them in replicated field studies in and/or around their school campuses. Professional Development hours will be provided. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Meals included. For details and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/njesta-and-btanj-present-applying-science-practices-to-data-collection-in-the-field-tickets-52263726212?aff=ebapi. Alternatively, visit the Duke Farms website (dukefarms.org), click on Classes and Events, and navigate to this event to register. Registration closes March 15, 2019. Contact Missy Holzer, PhD for additional information at mholzer@monmouth.com.

NGSS Summer Institutes in Summer 2019

Earth and Environmental Science Educator's Institute:
Connecting Models and Evidence
June 25-27, 2019
Palmyra Cove Nature Park, Palmyra, NJ

Join us June 25-27th, 2019 at Palmyra Cove Nature Park in New Jersey. The Earth and Environmental Science Educators' Institute will provide professional development in the use of Model-Evidence Link (MEL) activities centered on current Earth science topics. These 3-dimensional (core ideas, practices, crosscutting concepts) instructional scaffolds facilitate critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, construction of scientific explanations, and collaborative argumentation to support scientific reasoning within challenging Earth science topics. For more information about the use of MEL diagrams in the classroom, explore this website. This three-day institute is free and a stipend is provided! Applications are open to middle and high school Earth and Environmental Science teachers in the NJ-PA area. Those teaching Earth science content in their courses are also encouraged to apply. Application Deadline: April 15, 2019. https://serc.carleton.edu/mel/prof_dev/NJ_PD_2019.html

11th American Geosciences Institute/EXXONMobil Exploration Teacher Leadership Academies

New Science Teachers Workshops

Panasonic Eco Citizenship Project

STEM Competitions

Letter of Invitation
2019 Brochure