[NC-EE] Apply Now! Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC (GET Outdoors!)
Grades 6-12 STEM
Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC (GET Outdoors in NC) is a free, year-long teacher professional development program designed to engage middle and high school teachers of STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) subjects in hands-on, inquiry-based activities to support student learning about earth and environmental sciences. Our goal is to help teachers spark diverse students’ interest in geoscience career pathways by incorporating authentic, real-world and field-based experiences in their teaching.
“I have learned a great deal of real-world application to science topics that are taught in K-12 schools.” -2021-22 Participant
Teachers will gain first-hand experience outdoors as they investigate climate impacts on eastern NC ecosystems and communities; explore new technologies and engineering practices used to develop solutions to these challenges, interact with geoscience researchers, industry professionals and environmental educators; and discover new ways to incorporate current science content into their classrooms. All activities are designed to boost teacher knowledge of and confidence in using inquiry and place-based approaches to support student learning of earth/environmental science concepts. Participating teachers will be encouraged to develop a geo-STEM lesson plan that incorporates outdoor instruction and pilot it with high school youth during the 2022-23 academic year.
“The access to local research scientists is one of the best parts of this program!” – 2021-22 Participant
Each GET Outdoors in NC teacher will be expected to participate in the following activities that will take place during this professional development program:
Summer Institute | June 21-23, 2022
NC Museum of Natural Sciences at Greenville & Contentnea Creek & Goose Creek State Park. Meals and lodging provided.
Weekend Retreats | Participants are required to attend at least one weekend science immersion experience and are welcome to attend both. Meals and lodging provided.
Fall Retreat: October 22-23, 2022
Martin County Schools Innovation Campus, Williamston, NC, Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge & Pettigrew State Park
Spring Retreat: March 18-19, 2023
Outer Banks Field Site, Coastal Studies Institute, Manteo, NC, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge & Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Online Professional Learning Community. At least 3 virtual meetings per year to support classroom application of program resources and materials and offer peer support in incorporating program experiences into instruction.
Celebration of Geo-STEM Learning | Spring 2023, date TBD
“I greatly appreciated the ideas, activities, connections, research and data to share with my students.” – 2021-22 Participant
In addition to the experiences above, GET Outdoors in NC teachers will receive:
Exposure to current geoscience issues and careers through interaction with research scientists, industry professionals and nonformal environmental educators.
Access to a peer learning network and current science content related to climate impacts and solutions.
Resources to support classroom integration of content and hands-on STEM investigations.
A stipend of up to $325 awarded on completion of key program components.
Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits and credit in the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program offered through the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.
Health and Safety Precautions: All in-person program components will follow current University, county, state, and federal health guidelines. If these are in conflict, we will follow the most health protective guidelines. Please note that in-person programs are subject to change, rescheduling or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
For more information or to access the online application, visit Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC. Application deadline is March 25, 2022.
This program is offered by the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment’s Center for Public Engagement with Science in partnership with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences-Greenville and NCMNS-Contentnea Creek, North Carolina State Parks, and Martin County Schools.