Summer Institute for Mass. teachers includes energy, climate, water
Submitted by Emily Wade
Originally published: 2008-04-22 18:12:49
Note, the latest version of this article is older than three years. Some information, including links, may be out of date, but we keep it here for research interests.
MITS Inc., (the Museum Institute for Teaching Science) is holding its annual Summer Institute July 7th to July 18th, in Massachusetts. Teachers from other states are welcome; see below.
The program offers K-8 teachers professional development opportunities to learn inquiry-based, hands-on methods of teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in nine regions of MA. This year’s theme is Headline Science: Science, Math, and Literacy Behind the Headlines, and will allow teachers the ability to explore and learn about the science processes that go into developing what the public reads in the news.
Topics will include global warming, water quality, energy, the ecosystem, engineering skills, forensics, and the effects of the environment on our bodies. Teachers will learn how to teach these subjects using inquiry-based methods from highly trained Museum Educators who will model these methods on three levels: directed, guided, and open inquiry. Teachers will have the unique experience to learn from primary source materials at museums and will spend about 2 days in a different museum for each region, exploring botanical gardens, zoos, the aquarium, art museums, natural reserves, the ocean, and more.
The cost of the program is only $200 or $175 if more than one teacher comes from the same school. Teachers will earn either 60 or 90 PDPs, and those teachers who choose to earn 90 PDPs have the option of earning 3-4 college credits for an additional cost.
There are still spaces available. For more information and registration contact the office at 617-695-9771 or see email above. Information is also directly available through their web site:
<a href="http://www.mits.org/">www.mits.org</a>
<strong>For out of state participants interested in attending an Institute, please contact the MITS office at your earliest possible convenience about low-cost housing options.</strong>
Sample Region:
Merrimack Region
Ever wish there were a summer camp for adults? MITS is the next best thing, plus it is an opportunity to earn lots of PDPs and inexpensive graduate credit. In two weeks, you get to sample museums and other cultural organizations, learn new activities to take back to classroom (all connected to the state standards), network with your peers, work inside and outside, just a generally relaxing, enjoyable way to learn.
This year we will be out in the National Park Service boat, study maps and GIS, learn about simple machines and weaving, go to the woods to study math in nature and sustainable practices, study electricity, water power, the math of quilting design: such an array of topics!
60 Professional Development Points
Or 90 Professional Development Points plus 3-4 credits
Day 9:00- 3:30
If you would like more information about MITS go to the web site:
<a href="http://www.mits.org/">www.mits.org</a>
or call Beverly Perna at 978-970-5080.
Partners: Tsongas Industrial History Center
New England Quilt Museum
American Textile History Museum
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Amoskeag Fishways
Hope to see you at Camp Merrimack!
--
Beverly Hill Perna, Ed.D.
Museum Education Specialist
Tsongas Industrial History Center
115 John Street
Lowell, MA 01852