The Urban Ecology Institute Teacher Kick Off Event

1. The Urban Ecology InstituteTeacher Kick Off Event Saturday September 19, 2009 Higgins Hall, Boston College

2. Welcome

3. Contacts Dr. Eric Strauss Research Associate Professor & Director of Environmental Studies Program, Boston College Science Advisor 617-552-0735 strausse@bc.edu Frank Reece Executive Director 617.552.0928 Franklin.reece@bc.edu Emily Hoffman Education Program Director 617-552-1313 hoffmaed@bc.edu Kim Kilcourse Education Partnerships Program Manager 617-552-0938 kilcourk@bc.edu Lindsey Cotter Science and Research Program Manager 617.552.6842 cotterlb@bc.edu Victoria Shelus Education Assistant, Americorps VISTA 617.552.1563 shelus@bc.edu Robin Sleith Education Assistant, Americorps VISTA 617.552.1563 sleith@bc.edu

4. Agenda of the Day 9:00-9:30 Breakfast and Activity Atrium in Higgins 9:30-10:00 Introductions Dr. Eric Strauss & Kim Kilcourse Higgins 300 10:00-11:30 Guest Speaker – Dr. David Morimoto Higgins 300 11:30-11:40 Break 11:40-12:15 UEI Overview - Kim, Robin, & Victoria Higgins 300 12:15-1:00 Lunch Atrium in Higgins 1:00-1:55 First Breakout Session - Urban Tree Stewardship – Marsha Turin Higgins 260 - Water Quality – Lisa Henderson Higgins 265 - Soil Quality – Victoria Shelus Higgins 270 - Foundations of Urban Ecology – Robin Sleith Higgins 300 2:00-3:00 Second Breakout Session - Water +Soil Quality – Robin Sleith Higgins 270 - IMD – Kim Kilcourse Higgins 300 - New Teacher Orientation – Victoria Shelus Higgins 260 3:00-3:30 Reflections, Evaluations, Farewell – KimHiggins 300

5. Education Program Overview Expectations Roles & responsibilities Implementation Stipends & PDP’s Field Support Transportation Materials Volunteers Data Management - grant reporting Professional Development Student Conferences

6. Expectations • Roles and Responsibilities • UEI will help each teacher involved in UEI programming to become confident using the UEI Field Studies curricula as an enhancement of his/her primary or required curricula • UEI will offer PD that will increase content knowledge & pedagogy that will help teachers implement Field Studies curriculum • Teachers are expected to take the lead on lesson planning & implementation • Teachers are expected to participate in workshops and student conferences in order to gain content & pedagogy that will help them with implementation of Field Studies

7. Implementation Plan Includes • What is your primary curriculum? • What is your overall teaching objective? • Where does field studies link to your primary curriculum? • List relevant science standards addressed • List student learning objectives • Attend ASRC and SURGE!

8. Stipends & PDP’s • Teachers who participate in workshops receive stipend • Upon completion of their implementation plans, teachers who work in high needs school districts receive an implementation stipend at the end of fall and/or spring semester • Teachers who work with us and are not currently teaching in high needs school district are eligible for workshop stipends • PDP’s are rewarded at the end of 2009-2010 school year

9. Field Support • Equipment (materials list in your packet) • Test kits • supplies • Technology • Books • Other resources • Transportation (limited funds in 2009) • Field trip planning • Support • Bus reservations • Americorps VISTA members • New teachers support • Logistical support for UEI

10. Field Support cont. If you want to work with volunteers in your classroom complete an application ASAP! Then UEI will provide: • Initial training of field studies • CORI/SORI checks • Ongoing support for both teachers & volunteers • Teachers are mentors and responsible for maintaining relationships with volunteers. • *Northeastern University – Service Learning Students*

11. How to request supplies? • Online request week in advance • http://www.urbaneco.org/materials.asp • How to pick up/drop off supplies? • Arrange times to meet at UEI office • Coordinate with other teachers • Meet at monthly meetings

12. Transportation Policy See manual for details – manual online September 2009 Limited funds Application process Round 1 Sept30th, 2009 - Dec 30th, 2009 Round 2 Jan 1st, 2010 - March 31st, 2010 Round 3 April 1st, 2010 - June 30th, 2010

13. Professional Development

14. Calendar Of Workshops September 19 Teacher Kick-Off Workshop October 1 Fall SURGE! October 6, 13, 20, 27 UEI curriculum for NEW teachers October 25 Bioneers by the Bay November 7 IMD/FOSS/BSCS/APES/LBC curriculum callbacks December 3 Fall Semester Student Conference December 4 Holiday Gathering (social event for teachers) December 5 Citizen Science Projects & Science Fair Planning January 9 Environmental Health and Bioindicators February 2, 9, 16, 23 UEI curriculum for NEW teachers March 4 Spring SURGE! March 18 – 20 Spring Institute for Teachers April 10 Inspiring students to create change May 8 Skillshare, Roundtable Discussion May 20 Annual Student Research Conference (ASRC) June 5 Teacher Appreciation/UEI Evaluation Meeting

15. Institutes • Summer Institute • First 2 weeks in July • 2010 changes • 2009 last year of large NSF grant funding • Same quality and rigor • Spring Institute • 2.5 day field study ‘sampler’ • Geared for high needs, middle school science teachers new to the field studies curriculum • Cover substitute teachers for the duration of institute

16. Student Community • Fall & Spring Student Urban Research Gathering on Ecology - SURGE! • Proposed dates • 1st or 2nd week in October • January 2010 • Locations TBD • Annual Student Research Conference - ASRC • May 2010 • Student Summer Institute • College Bound Students only

17. Social Events • Bioneers by the Bay – students & teachers • December Holiday gathering – teachers • Google Calendar updates – Robin & Victoria

18. Next Steps • Read Teacher Manual and sign partnership form (new & returning) • Set up a meeting with Kim to go over implementation plan for the school year • Individual or group meetings • Plan to attend workshops throughout fall and spring semesters

19. Student Conferences Fall SURGE! (Student Urban Research Gathering on Ecology)- TBA Write Preference on Evaluation: October 5-9th, 12-16th Fall Semester Student Conference- December 3rd Spring SURGE! (Student Urban Research Gathering on Ecology)- March 4th ASRC (Annual Student Research Conference)- May 20th

20. uei-fieldstudies.wikispaces.com

23. Any Questions? Thank you!