STEM Institute
August 5-9, 2013
University of Maryland
Center for Environmental Science
Horn Point Laboratory
Cambridge, MD
Teachers will work with UMCES HPL scientists to learn about the scientific process and
how it is applied in their research of ocean and coastal science. Teachers and UMCES
HPL Scientists will formalize the connections between research topics and STEM course
content. Participants will design and implement their own research projects in teams and
explore ways to implement student research projects in the classroom.
Agenda
Monday
Morning
Topic
Welcome, introductions, expectations
Activity
Conducting Experiments.
“Practice” experiment I
“Practice” experiment II
12-1
Lunch
Afternoon
Discussion: Comparison between experiments:
The Scientific Process
Introduction to content areas
Content Building: Land-Water Connection and Dead Zones
Scientist Presentation
AP Bio Content: Global Issues, Environment and Humans
AP ES Content: Land Conservation, Water Pollution, Habitat Loss
Content activity. What Affects Dead Zones
Tuesday
Morning
Discussion Land-Water Connection and Dead Zones resources
Content Building: Seagrasses
Scientist Presentation
AP Bio Content: Photosynthesis, Cell Respiration, Plant Biology
AP ES Content: Energy Flow, Habitat Loss, Water Pollution
Content Activity: Importance of light; Predator Interaction
Discussion of seagrass resources
Content Building: Aquatic Food Webs
Scientist Presentation
AP Bio Content: Communities and Ecosystems, Population Dynamics
AP ES Content: Ecosystem Diversity, Water Pollution
12-1
Lunch
Afternoon
Content Activity: Size Selective Predation
Discussion of Aquatic Food Webs resources
Project Development: Development of mini proposals; rationale for
proposal, formulation of research question and hypothesis
Wednesday
Morning
Research Methods Field Trip
12-1
Lunch
Afternoon
Project Development: Development of mini proposals; design
experiment
Thursday
Morning
Project Development: Conducting research experiments
12-1
Lunch: Discussion: How process worked
Afternoon
Project Development: Conducting research experiments
Application to STEM content
Friday
Morning
Project Development: Data analysis and presentation. Prepare for
research presentation
12-1
Lunch
Afternoon
Oral presentations
Next steps and feedback