UNL faculty members, Dr. Mindi Searls (PI) and Dr. Leilani Arthurs (co-PI) in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and Dr. Elizabeth Lewis (co-PI) in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education have received a state-funded 2-year Improving Teacher Quality grant to provide professional development in geoscience. Nebraska teachers at the grade 6-12 level will be funded to attend the 2014 Earth Science Institute to learn more about Earth science concepts and the geology of Nebraska. Earth and space science concepts are an important part of national and state science education standards.
The hydrosphere is the focus of the 2014 workshop series while the 2015 workshops will concentrate on the geosphere. Workshops will be held at locations in both eastern and western Nebraska to reach teachers from all over the state. Teachers will receive a stipend of to participate in the workshop series, but must have the opportunity to teach Earth science or incorporate Earth science content into their courses to be taught in the fall semester. This professional development is also supported by the UNL Center for Science, Math and Computer Education. Interested grades 6-12 science teachers can learn more about this professional development opportunity and apply to participate at: http://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/nebraska-science/3332/18239