Teacher & Educator Programs
Educators are learners too! The Mission-Aransas Estuary Reserve at UT Marine Science Institute is proud to partner with and support teachers and educators in their mission to enhance STEM literacy. A variety of professional development and learning opportunities are offered annually for educators teaching in K-12 institutions and those teaching in museums, zoos or other informal environments. Programs are designed to connect educators to research, enhance existing knowledge and skills, and demonstrate pedagogical best practices.
Teachers On The Estuary (TOTE) Workshop
TOTE workshops are designed to help middle and high school teachers and educators bring estuarine and environmental STEM concepts and practices into their classroom, laboratory and field programs.
This year, TOTE goes virtual giving teachers the opportunity to conduct field investigations, interact with local scientists and integrate environmental monitoring data into the classroom-- all while practicing safe physical distancing! Participating teachers will engae in a variety of activities that model and support student-centered learning and virtual connections through the use of field/nature journals. Activities will demonstrate the benefits of using journals to support scientific process skills and content understanding, as well as model strategies for in-person and virtual implementation.
FREE to educators working/teaching within Texas and beyond.
Workshop participants receive:
- Four synchronous weekly sessions (Zoom), plus additional self-directed assignments
- Minimum of 15 instructional hours; facilitated and self-directed
- Field/nature journal activities linked to local research and monitoring projects
- Live interactions with regional scientists and content experts
- Workshop supply kit: sketch book, curricular guide to field/nature journaling, watercolor pencils, pens, digital resources, tote bag, & tasty snacks ($200)
- Access to free, downloadable Estuary Education Resources-- digital lesson plans, data sets and estuary resources
- Opportunity to join a Field Day at Mission-Aransas NERR
For more information, contact msi-edureserve@utlists.utexas.edu
Project WILD Workshops
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife, and is based on educational standards, developed by scientists, and reviewed and field-tested by educators. The goal of a Project WILD workshop is to enhance an educator’s ability to assist learners, of any age, in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment.
Project WILD Workshops are scheduled by request. Fee is $35 per teacher/educator (includes resource books, materials and a meal) for 4-6 hour workshops, and $55 per teacher/educator for 10-12 hour workshops.
- Project WILD (K-12): 6 hours
- Aquatic WILD (K-12): 6 hours
- Growing Up WILD (preK-2): 4 hours
- Combination Workshops (two topics): 10-12 hours
For more information or to schedule a Project WILD Workshop, contact msi-edureserve@utlists.utexas.edu