2017 Watershed Science Teachers Academy

Research-based Partnership

Monday, July 17 - Wednesday, July 19, 2017

K-12 teachers will participate in field-based experiments and data collection with scientists to incorporate environmental science and engineering design into their curriculum.  This is an invaluable experience intended to be transferred to the classroom as teachers implement the Next Generation Science Standards.

The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring water and the natural environment in central New Jersey, will host teachers in an environmental investigation of water pollution and strategies to mitigate the problems of stormwater runoff. Teachers will learn about the major factors affecting water quality and the engineering principles behind water management from Watershed Association scientists, educators and water stewards. Teachers will design a solution to address problems of stormwater runoff created by a man-made feature on the Watershed Reserve.

With Steve Tuorto Ph.D., Director of Science and Stewardship at the Watershed Association.

Who: K-12 teachers (a maximum of 8 teachers)

When:  Monday, July 17 – Wednesday, July 19, 2017 (8:30AM - 5:00PM)

Where: Pennington, New Jersey

The summer institute fee is $250 for registrations received by 4/7/17 and $300 after 4/7. Teachers participating in the MSP grant with Princeton and Rider Universities are welcome to attend free of charge. 

This Watershed Academy is in partnership with the MSP grant, a collaboration of Princeton University, Rider University and The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. 

Teachers will have first hand experiences with the Science Practices as specified in the Next Generation Science Standards for their application in classroom instruction, curriculum and assessment: 

  • Asking questions and defining problems

  • Constructing explanations and defining solutions

  • Developing and using models

  • Planning and carrying out investigations

  • Analyzing and interpreting data

  • Using mathematics and computational thinking

  • Engaging in argument from evidence

  • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information