Soil Science has a real fascination for children and can provide an excellent springboard to all other earth science topics.  This two-part workshop is held on consecutive Saturdays and will provide K-8th grade teachers with interactive, inquiry-based methods for exploring soil types, the chemical make-up of different soils, the ecosystems that exist below the surface and the properties of soil that support or inhibit plant life.  Background material on origins and history of soils and ecological issues will also be provided.  We're going to really dig into this topic, so come prepared to get your hands dirty while creating lots of make-and-take materials to use in your classrooms.  Workshop conducted by Pamela Donovan at Tufts University, Medford, MA.

For more information contact Pamela at: pamela.donovan@gmail.com

Online application
Travel information
Workshop schedule (coming soon)

Does your classroom have limited science and technology resources? Do you want to include more scientific data and hands-on activity in your classroom? Using stations is a great way to implement hands-on, differentiated and data-based instruction even when you don’t have many tools with which to work. This workshop will look at the practical issues of using stations, including classroom management, organization and  tracking student progress. We will use examples from earth and physical science topics. Participants will be given lesson plans and resources to use in their classrooms. Participants will also have time to collaborate and put together stations to use in their own classrooms. To be held at Tufts University, Medford, MA. Workshop conducted by Wright Fellow Nancy Robie.

For more information contact Nancy at: nancy.robie@tufts.edu

Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2008. Workshop is limited to 20 participants.

Online application
Travel information
Workshop schedule (coming soon)

Technologically advanced detectors measure invisible sources, record the measurements, and transform the results into increasingly greater detailed false color images. Content focusing on the electromagnetic spectrum, spectroscopy, and stellar evolution will be used to study how data are collected, analyzed, and presented to the public.   Complete classroom sets of activities and resources will be provided. The materials are appropriate for middle school/high school/college classes. The location for this workshop is the McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis, Texas. Tours of the telescopes, discussions with the research astrophysicists in residence, and nighttime observations are an integral part of this workshop experience. Sponsored by NASA, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Chandra X-Ray Center. Workshop conducted by Donna L Young.

The online application and additional workshop information are available here.
Application deadline: February 15, 2008

In this seven-day workshop during the International Polar Year, teachers will participate in scientific data collecting in Glacier National Park, Montana, learn how to monitor cryospheric change, interpret polar and temperate glacier data, and understand how environmental science can be used in all classrooms. Participants will collaborate with international colleagues to develop materials custom made for their classrooms. Applicants must apply as a teaching team--a team consists of two or more teachers. This is one in an ongoing series of Wright Center workshops on change in the natural environment Co-sponsored by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory Outreach Program, The Glacier Institute, the Crown of the Continent Learning Center, Clean Air-Cool Planet, and the Wright Center. This workshop will take place at the Glacier Institute, Glacier National Park, Montana. Workshop conducted by Zach Smith and Scott Battaion.

For more information contact Scott at: scott.battaion@tufts.edu

More information available at the IECWS website.
Online application
Travel information
Gear list
Glacier National Park website
Workshop schedule (preliminary)
General information
Glacier Institute website (look here for travel directions to the Glacier Institute field camp)