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Chesapeake Bay Professional Development

by
Sarah Brzezinski

To produce students who are knowledgeable about the Chesapeake Bay, we first need to have bay-literate educators. Research about the bay is constantly being conducted, so even experienced teachers can learn something new and serve the critical role of providing their students with the most up-to-date and accurate information about the environment that surrounds them. To facilitate this process, we here at BayBackpack have pulled together a list of upcoming lecture series, workshops, and conferences that are all related to the Chesapeake Bay! Check out some of these excellent opportunities for professional development:

DAEE Annual Conference - The Delaware Association for Environmental Education invites you to participate in their third annual conference on February 25th. Acclaimed environmental author Tom Horton will be delivering the keynote address, and the conference will feature several strands of educational sessions, exhibits, and opportunities for networking and professional development.

Wintertime Maritime Lecture Series – Museum members and the public are invited to attend any of the variety of lectures that will be hosted by the Annapolis Maritime Museum between January 19 and March 22. Some of the upcoming presentations focus on NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, the navy’s role in the War of 1812, and the history of the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Wars (and the formation of Maryland’s Natural Resources Police).

PAEE Annual Conference – The Pennsylvania Association for Environmental Education will host its annual conference for formal and informal educators on March 16-17, 2011 at the Raystown Lake Resort and Conference Center in Entriken, PA. The theme of this year’s conference is “Earth: The Educator’s Manual,” and the event promises to be an excellent opportunity for professional development.

2012 National Conference on Science Education – This year, the National Science Teachers Association’s annual conference will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana from March 29 –April 1. The conference will lead the conversation on STEM, inquiry-based teaching, the Next Generation of Science Standards, assessment and other issues of importance to educators. K–16 science teachers and administrators will also be offered nearly 2000 workshops, sessions, seminars, and symposia that will raise the level of teaching, increase content knowledge, and tackle techniques and strategies that work in the classroom

Bay 101 Lecture Series – In this seven week lecture series, Horn Point Laboratory faculty share their knowledge and inform participants about the Horn Point Laboratory and the science of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Lectures will take place on Thursdays from March 1 – April 12, 2012, and will cover a wide variety of topics, including the “Connections between Stormy Weather and Muddy Waters: Lessons from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee,” and “Jellyfish in the Chesapeake Bay.” By participating in this free lecture series, educators can learn about the Chesapeake Bay and to get inspired to teach about it in their own classrooms!

Coastal Marine Science Teacher Development Workshop – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will be conducting this workshop for grade 6 – 12 teachers from July 15 – July 28, 2012. This program aims to promote environmental literacy among high school and middle school teachers and students by infusing ocean science educational materials into the existing curricula. It will also provide marine science research and educational opportunities to under-represented populations. On-campus housing, meals, course credit or a stipend and a travel expense allowance will be provided to accepted participants.