Summer Astrobiology Institute - Middle School Teachers

Middle School Teacher InstituteSummer Astrobiology Institute for Middle School Life Science, Earth Science and Mathematics Teachers has been held annually since 2005 and will be offered again in 2007. The Institute runs for two weeks with required attendance at three school-year workshops.

Astrobiology is about the detection and study of life on planets and moons other than Earth. Astrobiology asks: “What is required to make life possible in the universe?” This interdisciplinary science is an exciting topic for teacher professional development because it engagingly integrates middle school curricula in mathematics, earth, planetary,and life sciences.

The Astrobiology Institute is aligned with the D.C. Science and Mathematics Standards for grades 6 and 7. CASE professional staff and Mentor Teachers model the pedagogy needed to teach content through inquiry and hands-on activities. Teachers learn from Astrobiology: An Integrated Science, an excellent high school textbook and activities manual published by TERC and sponsored by the National Science Foundation along with hands-on activities developed by CASE. Field trips and visits from working scientists broaden the experience. Science fiction is used to connect to language arts through reading, reporting on, and discussing science fiction.

Dates:
Weekdays, June 25 - July 6 (except July 4 holiday)
Hours: 8:30am - 3:00pm
Location: Carnegie Headquarters
Fee: There is no charge for attendance

The dates for the 3 required school-year workshops will be on the application. Catholic University of America will provide 3 graduate credits to those who successfully complete the Institute with passing grades; CASE will pay the tuition costs for those earning credit.

Applications for the Astrobiology Institute are due June 1, 2007.

Online Application Forms

CASE / First Light