2016 Summer Professional Development Institutes:
Metro-South Region
One-Week Institute for Grades 3-8 Educators
Feathers, Rocks, Flights, Wildlife and Shocks: The Importance of Human Connections With Nature
This engaging institute highlighted the ways humans influence and are affected by the natural world, even in their own backyard, and examined the physical, chemical and biological factors at play in these interconnected relationships.
Participants learned how scientists keep their fingers on the pulse of the earth and analyze the physical processes that cause earthquakes. They investigated how animals and animal behavior are used by scientists and industry as inspiration to develop engineering solutions for everyday problems. The group explored the role of geology in creating the unique habitat of our local Blue Hill Reservation, and gained insight into the impact of wildlife management strategies on humans and the ecology of an environment, including a focus on sustaining wildlife populations. Research included how birds of prey can take advantage of landforms to conserve energy. Third through eighth grade educators blended their new knowledge of meteorology and engineering design to build their own version of a flying contraption for human use. This institute opened the door to new classroom possibilities for teachers and their students through inquiry-based, minds-on, hands-on experiences, and it gave participants insights into using the Science and Engineering Practices to understand the interconnectedness of the natural world
Click here for photos of the 2016 Metro-South Region Institute!