The ED2: Earth Day Every Day Program is a three-year partnership that seeks to provide high quality, science-related professional development for intermediate grade teachers, specifically grades 5-8. Dr. Terri Hebert, Professor of Science Methods for Indiana University South Bend and Principal Investigator of the Math/Science Partnership Grant, and Tracy Slattery, Facilitator of Science, Social Studies, and PE for the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC), collaboratively developed the ED2 program to provide summer training for SBCSC teachers to take advantage of local resources for science education.
The goal of the program is to help teachers develop tools to instill a sense of responsibility in middle grade students as they acquire a sense of responsibility for and an interest in the environment. Each year, the focus of the summer training will expand: Year One explored the local environment, including the St. Joseph River, the Potawatomi Zoo, and the IUSB reclaimed wetland. Year Two will broaden the experience by also including the Indiana Dunes. Year Three will have a global reach as participants connect with students and teachers in Kenya.
In 2013, ED2 was awarded through the Indiana Department of Education’s Math/Science Partnership Grant.
In 2013, ED2 was awarded through the Indiana Department of Education’s Math/Science Partnership Grant.
Earth Day Every Day 2015
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Earth Day Every Day's third year exceeded all expectations. We had 10 teachers on the leadership team for the first week, nearly 60 teachers during the second and third weeks, and 45 middle schoolers for the student portion of the program. This year's program continued to focus on local resources available to teachers. We returned to the Indiana Dunes to continue research begun last year on the Karner Blue Butterfly and to investigate the diversity of dragon and damsel flies. At St. Patrick's County Park we learned how biologists conduct fish counts and measurements and practiced our Hoosier RiverWatch skills. We also visited the Notre Dame's Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (LEEF) and learned how researchers are conducting state of the art research on watersheds. On the Indiana University South Bend Campus we practiced transferable skills such as data collection, questioning, observing, and communication as we explored the campus in search of possible inquiry-based learning activities. We returned to the Potawatomi Zoo and learned about animal form and function and and were given a tours of the behind the scenes areas of the zoo. Due to the success of the program, we are currently seeking additional funding to continue the learning opportunities for teachers and students in the South Bend area.
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Earth Day Every Day 2014
The second year of ED2 has seen a large increase in participation of both teachers and students. This year, we have 50 teachers enrolled (with a waiting list of approximately 10 teachers). This includes eight serving as “teacher leaders” and ten pre-service education majors currently enrolled in the IUSB Education degree programs (i.e., Elementary and Secondary). We also have 52 intermediate grade students registered for the Kids’ Camp.
This year’s program consisted of a citizen science approach toward data collection and analysis, as well as a problem-based learning method of thinking about environmental situations occurring in the region. Included in the two weeks will be a continuation of an investigation into the St. Joe River, the Potawatomi Zoo, and IUSB’s reclaimed wetlands. However, in addition, the group will explore the Indiana Dunes. An international connection will initially be made through technology integration with a school in Kenya, specifically with Google Maps. This connection will continue throughout the school year and will expand in Year Three of ED2.
Session One, July 14-18, provides Teacher Leadership training. Session Two, July 21-29, provides an environmental focus on teacher training. Session Three, July 30-August 1, allows an opportunity for the teachers to try out their newly acquired skills in the Kids’ Camp.
The second year of ED2 has seen a large increase in participation of both teachers and students. This year, we have 50 teachers enrolled (with a waiting list of approximately 10 teachers). This includes eight serving as “teacher leaders” and ten pre-service education majors currently enrolled in the IUSB Education degree programs (i.e., Elementary and Secondary). We also have 52 intermediate grade students registered for the Kids’ Camp.
This year’s program consisted of a citizen science approach toward data collection and analysis, as well as a problem-based learning method of thinking about environmental situations occurring in the region. Included in the two weeks will be a continuation of an investigation into the St. Joe River, the Potawatomi Zoo, and IUSB’s reclaimed wetlands. However, in addition, the group will explore the Indiana Dunes. An international connection will initially be made through technology integration with a school in Kenya, specifically with Google Maps. This connection will continue throughout the school year and will expand in Year Three of ED2.
Session One, July 14-18, provides Teacher Leadership training. Session Two, July 21-29, provides an environmental focus on teacher training. Session Three, July 30-August 1, allows an opportunity for the teachers to try out their newly acquired skills in the Kids’ Camp.
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Earth Day Every Day – 2013
During the initial year of the Earth Day Every Day program, 28 teachers from the South Bend Community School Corporation’s Intermediate Centers participated in what they affectionately nicknamed “Adult Day Camp”. The program earned this title because “every day we had a blast” exploring the St. Joe River, IUSB’s reclaimed wetlands, a swamp, and the Potawatomi Zoo. “We learned so much about the environmental resources and the best part was we had the opportunity to pass this knowledge on to the students in Kids’ Camp.”
Kids’ Camp consisted of 20 intermediate grade students enrolled in the SBCSC. They participated in many of the same activities the adults experienced, including those that involved the St. Joe River, IUSB’s reclaimed wetlands, and the Potawatomi Zoo.
During the initial year of the Earth Day Every Day program, 28 teachers from the South Bend Community School Corporation’s Intermediate Centers participated in what they affectionately nicknamed “Adult Day Camp”. The program earned this title because “every day we had a blast” exploring the St. Joe River, IUSB’s reclaimed wetlands, a swamp, and the Potawatomi Zoo. “We learned so much about the environmental resources and the best part was we had the opportunity to pass this knowledge on to the students in Kids’ Camp.”
Kids’ Camp consisted of 20 intermediate grade students enrolled in the SBCSC. They participated in many of the same activities the adults experienced, including those that involved the St. Joe River, IUSB’s reclaimed wetlands, and the Potawatomi Zoo.