Idaho Museum of Natural History to offer two-day geology teacher workshops this summer

This summer the Idaho Geology Outreach (IGO) Project: Bridging the Natural History Gap, under the auspices of the Idaho Museum of Natural History’s Education Resources Office, will offer three unique two-day teacher workshops for elementary and middle school educators who are interested in learning more about their local Idaho geology and how to incorporate it into their earth science curriculum.The grant focuses on 13 school districts including: Bear Lake County, Butte, Cassia, Challis, Grace, Soda Springs, North Gem. Mackay, Oneida, Westside, Preston, Salmon and South Lemhi. Funding for the teacher professional development workshops is provided by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

Under the guidance of a professional scientist and a highly qualified staff, participants will actively pursue foundational knowledge of earth science concepts through hands on experiences. The workshop includes a day in the classroom with demonstrations and activities that are aligned with the State Content Standards in Earth Science, followed by a day in the field where teachers can investigate and relate textbook concepts to real examples of Idaho geology.

 The workshop locations are all easily accessible areas with rich geologic histories. Providing three workshops at three different locations allows teachers to participate in a professional development workshop close to school or home. The workshop has no registration fee, but educators have the option to register for one credit of Professional Development through ISU’s Intermountain Center for Educational Effectiveness.

The workshop locations and dates are:

• July 28 and 29 – Lost River Field Station, Mackay;

• Aug. 3 and 4 – Preston Junior High, Preston; and

• Aug. 10 and 11 – Albion Elementary, Albion.

Registration forms for the workshops can be found on the IMNH website or by contacting  Rebecca Thorne-Ferrel: thorrebe@isu.edu or Diane Butler: butldian@isu.edu or the IMNH Education Resources Office at (208) 282-2195.

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Idaho State University, a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution founded in 1901, educates approximately 15,000 students per year in more than 280 programs. It is Idaho’s lead institution in health professions and medical education. Its seven colleges engage in a broad range of innovative research, teaching, and learning in the natural and physical sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts, education, engineering, business, pharmacy, and technology. Visit ISU today at www.isu.edu.