Apply now! Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC

Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC (GET OUTdoors in NC) is a free year-long teacher fellowship designed to engage middle and high school teachers of STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) subjects in hands-on, inquiry-based activities to support student learning about earth and environmental sciences. Our goal is to help teachers spark diverse students’ interest in geoscience career pathways by incorporating authentic, real-world and field-based experiences in their teaching.

Teachers will gain first-hand experience outdoors as they investigate climate impacts on eastern NC ecosystems and communities; explore new technologies and engineering practices used to develop solutions to these challenges, interact with geoscience researchers, industry professionals and environmental educators; and discover new ways to incorporate current science content into their classrooms.  All activities are designed to boost teacher knowledge of and confidence in using inquiry and place-based approaches to support student learning of earth/environmental science concepts. Participating teachers will be encouraged to develop a geo-STEM lesson plan that incorporates outdoor instruction and pilot it with high school youth during the 2021-22 academic year. 

Each GET Outdoors in NC teacher will be expected to participate in the following activities that will take place during this professional development program:

  • Summer Institute | June 14-16, 2021 | NC Museum of Natural Sciences at Contentnea Creek, Goose Creek State Park. Meals and lodging provided. 
  • Weekend Retreats | Participants are required to attend at least one weekend science immersion experience, and are welcome to attend both. Meals and lodging provided. 
    • Fall Weekend: September 25-26, 2021 | Outer Banks Field Site, Coastal Studies Institute, Manteo, NC
    • Spring Weekend: March 26-27, 2022 | Morehead City Field Site, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC
  • Online Professional Learning Community. At least 3 virtual meetings per year to support classroom application of program resources and materials and offer peer support in incorporating program experiences into instruction.
  • Celebration of Geo-STEM Learning | Spring 2022, date TBD

In return, GET Outdoors in NC teachers will receive:

  • Authentic experiential learning opportunities designed to enrich knowledge of eastern North Carolina’s ecosystems, geography, and environmental history and enhance skills in using the outdoors for instruction.
  • Exposure to current geoscience issues and careers through interaction with research scientists, industry professionals and nonformal environmental educators.
  • Access to a peer learning network and current science content related to climate impacts and solutions.
  • Resources to support classroom integration of content and hands-on STEM investigations.
  • A stipend of up to $325 awarded on completion of key program components.
  • Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits and credit in the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program offered through the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.

Health and Safety Precautions:

All in-person program components will follow current University, state and federal health guidelines and apply a range of safety measures to mitigate health risks, including 

  • Social distancing
  • Requiring properly worn face coverings when social distancing is not possible
  • Smaller class sizes 
  • Leading activities outdoors as much as possible
  • Increasing sanitation efforts
  • If indoors, leaving doors and windows open to increase air exchange

Please note that in-person programs are subject to change, rescheduling or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. 

For more information or to access the online application, visit Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC. Application deadline is April 4, 2021. 

This program is offered by the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment’s Center for Public Engagement with Science in partnership with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences-Greenville and NCMNS-Contentnea Creek, North Carolina State Parks, and Martin County Schools.

 

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Sarah Yelton, MS, CEE

Environmental Education & Citizen Science Program Manager

Center for Public Engagement with Science

UNC Institute for the Environment

sarah.yelton@unc.edu

Pronouns: she/her/hers