The Aquarium offers a wealth of courses and workshops for professional development. Pre-registration is required to attend. Please contact the Teacher Resource Center at trc@neaq.org or 617-973-6590 for more information on how to register.

In addition to these scheduled workshops, the Aquarium works with teachers, schools and districts to design custom in-service training, including one- or two-day workshops. The Aquarium also encourages teachers to attend science-themed events and conferences.

 

Reading the Ocean by the Light of its Inhabitants Teacher Workshop

Join us for a very special evening with Dr. Edith Widder, an award winning scientist, the founder of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) and a specialist in bioluminescence. Prior to her public evening lecture, Dr. Widder will lead a workshop exclusively for teachers on the exciting topic of bioluminescence, the light chemically produced by many ocean organisms. Through hands-on activities, participants will leave with a better understanding of light in the deep sea and a copy of her book, “The Bioluminescence Activity Book”. Space is limited, so sign up now!

Date: May 17, 2012
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (includes workshop, dinner and lecture)
Cost: $40 (includes workshop, dinner and a copy of Dr. Widder’s Bioluminescence Activity Book)

For: Middle and High School Teachers (other grades also welcome)
Location: New England Aquarium
Registration Deadline: May 10, 2012

For more information or to register for this workshop, please contact the Teacher Resource Center at trc@neaq.org or 617-973-6590.

 

Summer Institutes

NEW!   Changing Oceans: Challenges, Impacts and Solutions 

Covering about 70 percent of Earth’s surface, the ocean is home to thousands of species living in a variety of habitats. It plays a critical role in both Earth’s climate system and the carbon cycle. While there is increasing public awareness that human activity can cause global and long-lasting effects on the environment, the consequences of anthropogenic impacts on the ocean remain relatively unknown and un-discussed.

Scientists have identified five major challenges (climate change, overfishing, invasive species, pollution and acidification) to the oceans. This three-day course will help teachers understand how these challenges are impacting oceans, as well as discuss the solutions and technologies being used to tackle this global issue. Throughout the course, we will hear from local area experts and showcase activities that are meant to improve student understanding of the issues impacting the oceans and how these relate to humans.

Participants will gain content background in ocean science as well as hands-on practice in inquiry-based classroom activities that adhere to state curriculum frameworks. In the end, participants will leave with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach their students about the impacts to Massachusetts' coastal resources and, in doing so, foster a sense of ocean stewardship among them. Participants will receive all lesson plans as well as a variety of resources to use in their classroom.

When: August 14 – 16, 2012
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $150, additional $100 for two graduate credits
Credit: 25 PDPs or two graduate credits
For: Teachers, grades 6 – 12
Location: New England Aquarium

For more information or to register for this summer workshop, please contact the Teacher Resource Center at trc@neaq.org or 617-973-6590.

 

Watershed Education Course

The Gulf of Maine Watershed program is a field- and classroom-based program that will provide Massachusetts middle school science teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach students about local watersheds and to show how climate change affects watersheds. The program consists of a three-day summer workshop and two callback/follow-up sessions in the fall.

After completing the three-day summer workshop, participating teachers are expected to design and conduct a meaningful watershed education experience (MWEE) with their students during the fall semester, including a field trip, if possible, and a classroom experience. The Aquarium staff will provide support for the field trips. During callback sessions, participants will reconvene to present their projects to one another.

When: July 25 – 27, 2012, plus two Saturday callbacks (October 2012 and Dec 1, 2012)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Credit: 35 PDPs or graduate credit (for an additional fee of $150, receive 3 credits from Cambridge College)
For: MA Teachers, Grades 6 – 8 (other grades also welcome)
Location: New England Aquarium
Application Deadline: June 22, 2012

For more information or to register for this summer workshop, please contact the Teacher Resource Center at trc@neaq.org or 617-973-6590.


FULL!    On the Waterfront: Integrating Science Standards through Classroom and Field Investigations

Learn how to incorporate oceans into your existing curriculum by joining the staff of the New England Aquarium for five exciting days of learning about all things related to the shoreline. Participants will conduct field and in classroom investigations, apply inquiry skills and learn content knowledge through hands-on activities all related to the frameworks. Boston Harbor will be used as an example to teach concepts such as linking science and literacy, marine biodiversity, adaptations, ecosystems, properties of water, human impacts, and conservation efforts as well as much more! 

Activities include: behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium, exploring local tidepools on the Boston Harbor Islands and/or a visit to a local salt marsh. Each person will receive copies of activities and resources to take back and use in their classroom.

When: August 6 – 10, 2012, plus 1 Saturday callback (December 1, 2012)
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $250
Credit: 45 PDPs or 4 Graduate Credits (for an additional fee - $200 for 4 credits from Cambridge College)
For: Teachers, Grade 3-8 (other grades also welcome)
Location: New England Aquarium
Registration is over.

For more information or to register for this summer workshop, please contact the Teacher Resource Center at trc@neaq.org or 617-973-6590.

 

Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS):
How Science Inspires Engineering


What examples of “engineering” in the natural world can be used as the basis for creating technologies that are used in human society? Come and investigate the connections between science and engineering and learn how to present the engineering design process to your students! During this 10-day workshop, you will visit four of Boston’s most exciting educational institutions (New England Aquarium, Zoo New England, Harvard Natural History Museum, and Learning by Design) and participate in minds-on, hands-on professional development sessions that will provide you with scientific knowledge, classroom investigations and a network of valuable resources.

 

 

 

When: Weekdays, July 9 – 20, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
For: Teachers, Grades K - 8
Cost: $300/1 educator; $275 each/team of 2 educators; $250 each/ team of 3 or more educators
Credit: 60 PDPs, or 90 PDPs and 4 graduate credits (for an additional fee)
Locations: New England Aquarium, Zoo New England, Harvard Museum of Natural History and Learning by
Design.
Registration Deadline: June 6, 2012

For more information and to register, visit www.mits.org, email mits@mits.org or call 617-328-1515.

 

The Teacher Resource Center is here to help. Please contact us with questions or to register for one of the Winter workshops at trc@neaq.org or 617-973-6590.