TERC, a not for profit education research and development center in Cambridge MA, is seeking high school science teachers to field test at least one of its Biocomplexity and the Habitable Planet curriculum during the fall 2009 school semester. Biocomplexity is an innovative 11th-12th grade capstone course in Ecosystem and Environmental Science developed at TERC with ecologists from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Three units of 6-8 weeks each, that focus on:
(i) The Arctic - Students explore evidence of rapid impacts of climate change on Arctic species, make forecasts and recommend conservation strategies for these species.
(ii) Amazonia - Students analyze patterns of deforestation, explore the economic ecology of ranching, farming and forestry, and propose conservation strategies such as carbon trading, ecosystem service payments, establishment of parks, and reforestation.
(iii) Suburban sprawl and agriculture - Students explore the impact of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity, carbon flow, social factors and ecosystem subsidies as they consider the proposed conversation of farmland to suburban housing.
Students conduct inquiry around land use and conservation challenges. The curriculum actively engages students in science as they:
• Work in teams to address realistic problems in the field and lab
• Wrestle with ecological complexity and uncertainty
• Propose solutions to each challenge, supported by evidence
Pilot teachers implemented these units in advanced honors level courses, as replacement units in AP courses, and as general upper level elective courses. Pre-requisites are introductory biology and either physics or chemistry, as well as two years of algebra.
What resources will we provide you?
Lessons, readings, and teacher guide, classroom support via phone and e-mail, a stipend of $150 per unit completed in your classroom.
What are your responsibilities?
• Field-test at least one unit in the expected timeframe
• Obtain consent from your students before the unit begins
• Give pre-post student assessments to assess unit efficacy
• Complete on-line implementation surveys
When are the units being field tested?
During the Fall 2009 school semester.
Who to contact if interested?
We hope that you will join us in this exciting opportunity!
If you are interested in applying or have questions, please contact:
Tara Robillard
tara_robillard@terc.edu
Tel: 617- 547-0430
