Projects

Engaging Students through Inquiry Science in an Outdoor Classroom
Instructor: B. Gienger, M.S.T., Assistant Director of Teacher Education, 3 Sigma Institute.

Course # EDU 350 F1 | August 9-13, 2014 | Max 20 students

This course consists of two modules, a 2-day and a 3-day module. Students can also signup for all 5 days. In this course, educators will work with our lead and each other to enrich their science curricula. Much of the workshop will involve authentic, hands-on science experiences with follow up discussions to facilitate knowledge transfer and help participants incorporate the scientific method into their classrooms. Topics will include: Climate Change, Invasive Species, Water Quality, and Coastal Land Margin Ecosystems.





	2014 Summer Academy Courses
	Systems Dynamics Modeling for Complex Environmental Problems Instructor: Elizabeth Allen, Ph.D. Candidate, Washington State University Course # NRS 250 F1 \| July 21-25, 2014 \| Max 15 students Students will learn about the important role models play in understanding the environment and making policy decisions. They will get hands-on experience building system dynamics models of integrated systems and will explore how collaborative modeling might be used to support a decision-making process among stakeholders with diverse interests. Prerequisites: Introduction to Environmental Science, sophomore+ standing Student-provided materials: Textbook: Thinking in systems. Meadows, D. (2008). D. Wright (Ed.). Chelsea Green Publishing; laptop computer (students will work in groups of 2 or 3, so it is not essential that everyone brings a laptop, but at least 5 will be needed for the modeling exercises) _______________________________________ Part I: Functional Assessment of Wetland Food Web Support: Patterns in Primary and Secondary Production Instructor: R. J. Garono, Ph.D.; University of Minnesota Course # NRS 350 F1 \| August 6-10, 2014 \| Max 20 students In this course, students will sample Lake Superior and inland lake emergent/submergent plant communities and the insect assemblages that those communities support. Students will compare multiple survey and collection techniques, construct and analyze data sets, and calculate and compare diversity indices. Students will compare community classification techniques to determine if wetland plant communities support characteristic invertebrate assemblages. Prerequisites: Introduction to Environmental Science, sophomore+ standing Student-provided materials: Field notebook, boots or waders, appropriate field clothing, hat, hand lens _______________________________________ Lake Ecosystem Ecology: Biological and Hydrologic Sustainability of Lake Ecosystems Instructor: R. Kiesling, Ph.D., USGS; R. J. Garono, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Course #: NRS 250 F2 \| August 11-15, 2014 \| Max 12 students The course will introduce students to the study of lakes as sentinel systems capable of tracking these types of environmental change along natural and human-produced gradients. Students will participate in the field collection and analysis of data from coastal Lake Superior, Lake Namekagon and other Chequamegon and Nicolet National Forest lakes as they help establish and maintain a regional network of sentinel lakes of climate change. Prerequisites: Required: Algebra, Introductory Chemistry, Introductory Biology. Suggested: Ecology; Experience with EXCEL sprreadsheets Student-provided materials: Textbook: Lake Ecosystem Ecology: A Global Perspective; G. E. Likens; $47.25 on Google play; Appropriate field clothes; laptop computer optional (two laptops will be available for group use)
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	Engaging Students through Inquiry Science in an Outdoor Classroom Instructor: B. Gienger, M.S.T., Assistant Director of Teacher Education, 3 Sigma Institute. Course # EDU 350 F1 \| August 9-13, 2014 \| Max 20 students This course consists of two modules, a 2-day and a 3-day module. Students can also signup for all 5 days. In this course, educators will work with our lead and each other to enrich their science curricula. Much of the workshop will involve authentic, hands-on science experiences with follow up discussions to facilitate knowledge transfer and help participants incorporate the scientific method into their classrooms. Topics will include: Climate Change, Invasive Species, Water Quality, and Coastal Land Margin Ecosystems.


	Mission About Us Projects Publications News Home For more information about 3 Sigma Institute, please contact ralph_garono at 3sigmainstitute.org. 3 Sigma Institute \| P.O. Box 2421\| Corvallis, Oregon 97339 Website last modified: January 2015

2014 Summer Academy Courses