Mapping Our streams

The Mapping Our Streams (MOS) project is a collaboration between ALESE and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help teachers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed guide students through locally-relevant field-based watershed investigations using GIS—an interactive computer mapping, visualization and analysis tool. Teacher participants will learn to use a classroom-friendly GIS software, real-world scientific datasets, and our compelling MOS unit to analyze human impacts on a local stream site that THEY select. Our experienced team will help participants create their own local datasets and adapt the MOS unit for their classroom.

The 2010 MOS project includes a 5-week online workshop (June 21-July 23 2010), 2 hour conference call (June 25 2010), and 3-day on-site workshop (July 28-30 2010) to be held at the UMCES Appalchian Laboratory (Frostburg, MD). MOS is open to 6th-12th PA, WV, VA, and MD science teachers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed interested in local field-based watershed investigations using GIS. Participants will receive a stipend, travel expenses, GIS software, locally-relevant field-based curricular unit, and extensive support from our GIS education staff. University of Maryland graduate credit is also available. The MAMMS project is funded by the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MAY 3 2010.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A MAPPING OUR STREAMS FLYER

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A MAPPING OUR STREAMS APPLICATION

Inquiring with GIS

Mapping & Monitoring Maryland Streams

The iGIS and MAMMS projects helped Central Appalachian and Maryland teachers guide students through local watershed investigations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—an interactive computer mapping, visualization and analysis tool. These projects were funded by NSF and NOAA and included partners at Northwestern University and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. These projects have been merged into the Mapping Our Streams project (see above).

Click here to learn more about past iGIS offerings.

Chesapeake Teacher Research Fellowship

Our Fellowship program immersed teachers in science research to improve their inquiry skills and knowledge of local ecology and environmental issues. After a weeklong introductory workshop, teacher fellows spent the summer (six weeks) working alongside scientists on a research project at one four University of Maryland laboratories (including the Appalachian Laboratory). Each fellow also developed a student lesson that built on his or her research experience. The fellow refined that lesson during two follow-up meetings and shared it with peers at an education conference. The fellowship program was funded by NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. Click here to learn more about our past teacher fellows.

Our formal fellowship project has ended. However, our environmental scientists continue to work with teacher fellows on an individual basis. Please contact us if you are interested in working as a teacher fellow.

Partners in Ecology and Restoration of Schoolyards (piers)

PIERS is a watershed education program that helps western Maryland elementary schools improve schoolyard environments to provide native habitat, enhance water quality, and offer outdoor learning spaces for student exploration and investigations. PIERS builds on a partnership between the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory (UMCES-AL), Garrett County Public Schools, and community groups. It is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Since its inception in 2003, PIERS has established native demonstration gardens and adjacent native meadows at eight Garrett County elementary schools and the Garrett County Hickory Environmental Education Center. PIERS staff help teachers guide students through schoolyard activities and provide lending kits for these investigations. The Garrett County Board of Education received the prestigious state 2006 Civic Star Award from the American Association of School Administrators for its work within the PIERS project.

Click here for a virtual field trip to one of our PIERS schoolyard native gardens.