Professional Development and Additional Opportunities

UEI offers a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers including Summer Institute, workshops, and student conferences.

The Summer Institute

The Summer Institute is a four week workshop that brings together educators and environmental professionals in a collaborative effort to explore the biological and scoial aspects of urban ecosystems. It builds a base for understanding how urban ecosystems function and respond to change. Further, it establishes sound scientific observation and sampling techniques for educators to implement with their students and provides a forum for discussions about pedagogical strategies that promote student learning and enhance stewardship

Massachusetts teachers can earn Professional Development Points through participation in the Summer Institute and certain participants are eligible for a stipend. Participants may also register for graduate credit through Boston College's Lynch School of Education.

Summer Institute FAQ Sheet

Summer Institute Brochure

Registration for Summer Institute 2008

Workshops

Throughout the school year, professional development workshops serve to orient teachers to the Urban Ecology Field Studies curriculum and provide a forum for participants to share their experiences and recommendations as educators in the field.

Each workshop is focused on a particular field studies subject or an important element of the field studies experience. Many workshops will introduce new lessons and field studies options, providing opportunities for participants to learn new scientific protocol firsthand. UEI ecologists and education staff will be on hand to address any questions or concerns. All UEI teachers who complete at least 10 hours of professional development are eligible to receive Professional Development Points at a rate of one point per hour of participation.

Check for upcoming workshops

Sign Up For Workshops

Student Conferences

The Urban Ecology Institute hosts citywide student conferences twice each year for classrooms participating in the Urban Ecology Field Studies program. The Student Urban Research Gathering on Ecology (SURGE!) conference in March and the Annual Student Research Conference in May allow students to shwocase their work for fellow studnets, UEI staff and community leaders. All student conferences offer a pizza dinner and snacks. UEI will also be hosting a number of smaller conferences for students to share their work to their own school and to other smaller groups.

ASRC Registration Packet

ASRC Electronic Form

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