Teachers…..the school year may be over but it’s now time for you to further your education.  The National Park Foundation is offering teachers a free Climate Change workshop.  If you’re interested…..read on.

The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, announced that the partnership of Glacier National Park and the Glacier Institute is one of eight grant recipients participating in the 2012 Parks Climate Challenge program using national parks as classrooms to educate students about climate change.  The ability to learn about this important issue through hands-on, science-based field curriculum has proven a positive model through which to reach students.

The four-day workshop will be June 25-28 at Glacier Institute Field Camp in West Glacier.  The workshop will provide an opportunity for twenty 6th-12th grade teachers to learn more about climate change and how to incorporate it into curriculum in the classroom.  Room, board, and travel expenses during the workshop will be provided.

Glacier National Park Education Specialist Laura Law said, “This is a great opportunity for teachers to learn and work in the field with park researchers.”  The workshop will provide teachers with information and materials on how park resources are being affected by climate change.

Glacier Institute Executive Director Joyce Baltz said, “We are proud to have received the grant and extend this outstanding opportunity for teachers to attend a science and field-based workshop in Glacier National Park.”

In its third year, the Parks Climate Challenge first connects with teachers, giving them the tools to create engaging curriculum to teach to their students on the subject of climate change.  Then it assists them with stipends to implement using the materials in their classrooms.

For more information and to apply, visit the Glacier Institute’s website at www.glacierinstitute.org or contact the Institute at 406-755-1211.   On-line applications are due by close of business on Monday, May 21.

Though all grant recipients will participate directly in the National Park Foundation program, teachers everywhere can utilize the unique and versatile program model to replicate the valuable learning and strategies nationally through the online site www.parksclimatechallenge.org.

 

This project was made possible through the generous support of Inner Spark Foundation and individual donors, and is done in partnership with the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation.  For more information, visit www.parksclimatechallenge.org.

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