Pass the Word—Hands-On Professional Development for Elementary Teachers at Biosphere 2

April 22, 2015

By Arizona Center for Civic Leadership

Dr. Kevin Bonine, Flinn-Brown Fellow and Education & Outreach Director at Biosphere 2 (in addition to UA faculty appointments in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment) recently organized an enlightening learning tour for Flinn-Brown Fellows and Flinn Scholars. He also told us about a professional development opportunity that may be of interest to elementary educators throughout Arizona.

The Arizona Center for STEM Teachers at Biosphere 2 is now accepting applications for the 2015 Summer Institute June 8-20, 2015. With a theme of Sustain Your Learning Environment, the seventh-annual residential program at Biosphere 2 is open to active, Arizona-based elementary classroom teachers who will teach in any of grades 1 – 5 in 2015-2016. More than 130 contact hours will be spent with the ACST lead teachers who will guide participants in model lessons that incorporate hands-on, inquiry, among many other things. Participants will work alongside other Arizona educators and scientists to take an in-depth look at their practice and learn how STEM is easily integrated. The ideal applicant wants to improve student learning by honing their craft as an educator, sharing ideas, and bringing lessons, activities, and excitement back to their school.

The application is open until filled. The cost is $100, inclusive of room and board, three catered meals per day and snacks, professional resources, technology training, curricular supplies and materials, as well as collaboration with other motivated educators.