The Nebraska Math and Science Summer Institutes (NMSSI) offer graduate science, mathematics and pedagogy courses that are in a weeklong format to help you take advantage of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's professional development opportunities conveniently and affordably. A brand-new course for science teachers, BIOS 897: Ecology and Evolution of Arachnids for K-12 Educators, will be June 20-24 on the UNL City Campus this summer. Use your LPS tuition bank credits to take a course with us!
As follows are the course dates, times and description for this course for grades 7-12 teachers:
BIOS 897: Ecology and Evolution of Arachnids for K-12 Educators, June 20-24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Class # 12483, Sec # 592, Instructor: Dr. Eileen Hebets, UNL
This course is for middle school and high school teachers interested in learning how arachnids and their arthropod relatives can be integrated into K-12 classrooms for teaching a breadth of science material including: organismal structure and function; ecosystem interactions and dynamics; inheritance and trait variation; and evolution and biodiversity. The course will use inquiry-based learning, hands on science experiments, individual research projects, and group discussions to learn about the anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution of living arachnid groups.
Teachers will learn about animal systems that can easily be brought into the classroom for hands-on science activities and experiments. There will be opportunities during the week for teachers to develop their own modules for their classrooms and to even try these modules out on students during presentations for Parks and Rec. camps that week.
Taking this class would open up the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Hebets and her graduate students in a number of different ways – including having teachers and their own students participate in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of larger science projects. These collaborations could lead to opportunities to do research during the summer (for teachers and students), during the year, and even to present research at national meetings.
Arachnids can be an incredibly potent teaching tool, as virtually all students are interested and intrigued, regardless if it is out of fear or fascination. Additionally, arachnids can be used to teach a wide breadth of subject matter. Dr. Hebets will tailor the course to the needs and desires of the enrolled teachers so they can ensure they get the most out of their time.
The Benefits of the NMSSI:
• Nebraska teachers automatically qualify for a 20 percent discount on in-state tuition at UNL
• Teachers can also apply for an additional $300 tuition fellowship from the NMSSI if tuition credits are not available: http://go.unl.edu/scimathapply
• All NMSSI courses also include a free lunch on each day of class
• The $50 UNL Graduate Studies admission fee is waived for current Nebraska teachers
• Each course is worth 3 graduate credit hours at UNL
• Enroll in one simple application through Teach Nebraska: http:///www.unl.edu/gradstudies/teachneb
For all NMSSI course offerings, see: http://scimath.unl.edu/nmssi and other science course descriptions below.
Email questions about courses, registration and degrees to Marilyn Johnson at Marilyn.johnson@unl.edu. Direct fellowship questions to Lindsay Augustyn at nebraskamath@unl.edu.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Be a lifelong learner.
Center for Science, Mathematics & Computer Education
http://scimath.unl.edu/nmssi