Communicating Tidal Marsh Ecology & Change

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is pleased to announce an opportunity for middle or high school teachers to work with Cary Institute educators and scientists to develop and evaluate educational materials that communicate our research to middle school students.

The research

Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Cary Institute scientists have been investigating how wetlands in the Hudson River are affected by sea level rise. Wetlands provide significant ecosystem services ranging from habitat to water quality improvement, but they have suffered large losses in extent due to human activities and now face pressures from climate change. In the Hudson and other estuaries, tidal wetlands do not necessarily have the opportunity to migrate landwards due to either natural or manmade constraints. This study investigated the predictors of ecosystem performance which will be useful in allocating resources to both preservation and restoration, and sought to understand what components of ecosystem function will change as sea level changes.

The work of the Teacher Fellow

We are looking for two Teacher Fellows who will collaborate with Cary Institute staff to refine educational experiences that help students understand changes in freshwater tidal marshes. Over the past three years, teachers have been working on pilot lesson plans that encourage their students to understand the science of freshwater marshes and conduct their own studies which extend or reinforce the scientists’ work. These lesson plans, in addition to other materials, will be revised to form several cohesive modules that explore how the changing climate affects tidal marshes. The Teacher Fellows will help us identify the enduring understandings related to this topic, refine existing curriculum materials, and develop and conduct assessments designed to evaluate student learning as a result of the curriculum. No prior experience in educational research is required, but teachers should be interested in conducting education research.

The Fellowship will begin in the summer of 2012 with a full-day field trip to a tidal marsh, and an introduction to the project, existing materials, and available resources. Fellows are not required to be in residence for any particular span of time and so long as they meet milestones, they will receive a $2,500 stipend for participation. Travel support and some funds for classroom materials are also available.

Application Deadline: April 15, 2012

Teachers must commit to:

12 days of summer work, during which you will:

Attend a full day field trip to a tidal marsh on the Hudson River and receive background on the project from Cary Institute scientists
Develop a teaching module using existing or new materials based on tidal marshes, following an established lesson plan protocol
Develop student assessments for module in collaboration with Cary Institute educators

1-2 days of school year work to implement module and assessments
3 days of time during the school year to code student data
1 day meeting in winter 2013

Cary Institute will provide:

A stipend in the amount of $2,500, payable as follows:

$100 stipend per day (7 hour work days) for a total of $1,800
$300 upon completion of revised module
$200 for implementation and assessment of module
$200 for submitting results of student assessment

Limited travel support to and from the Cary Institute
Limited support for classroom supplies
Support for developing classroom module, assessments, and materials
Training on coding student data
A chance to interact with other teachers, Cary Institute scientists, and to be part of a research project

To apply, send a letter of interest explaining how you will benefit from this Fellowship and a brief resume to:

Cornelia (Lia) Harris
Education Program Leader

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
PO Box AB (2801 Sharon Turnpike)
Millbrook, NY 12545
Phone: (845) 677-7600 ext. 321
Fax: (845) 677-5976
Email: harrisc@caryinstitute.org

Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2012
If you have any questions please contact Lia.