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Life Through Time Teacher Training Research Study

Texas Natural Science Center is pleased to invite 4th–8th grade teachers to participate in a research study designed to evaluate teachers’ understanding of and ability to teach life through time. Participants will attend a 9 day, integrated life and earth sciences teacher training series in which they work with University of Texas scientists and science educators to explore life through time. Participants will then train other educators to use the project curriculum. They will complete pre and post tests, logs documenting how they integrate the project curriculum into their teaching, program evaluations, and presentation logs documenting the number of educators they train in the project curriculum.

The research project targets 4th–8th grade educators currently teaching a majority of students who are underrepresented in the sciences including Hispanics, African Americans, and females. The curriculum is aligned with the 4th–8th grade science TEKS.

Workshop Schedule (participants must attend all 9 workshop sessions):

  • Spring 2012—2, day long training sessions: Saturday, February 4, 2012 and Saturday, April 14, 2012
  • Summer 2012—one, five day institute: June 18–22, 2012
  • Fall 2012—2, day long training sessions: Saturday, October 13, 2012 and Saturday, November 17, 2012

In Life Through Time, educators will work with University of Texas at Austin scientists to:

  • examine the formation of sedimentary rocks;
  • observe and document changes over long periods of Earth’s history,
  • investigate the role of plate movement affecting global climate change, evolution, and extinction;
  • conduct paleontology field work;
  • compare dietary and locomotory adaptations of living animals to those of the past; 
  • participate in the online forum to reflect upon their learning;
  • and much more!

Participating teachers will become teacher leaders as they commit to train 5 other educators in the project materials.

Participants in each session will receive:

  • a $450 stipend;
  • 96 hours of SBEC credit;
  • multiple curriculum guides which include activities covered in the workshop;
  • tours of scientific laboratories and museum collections; 
  • access to loaner kits;
  • priority registration for the Museum Express program;
  • lunch; and
  • housing will be available for a limited number of out of town participants during the summer institute.

Spots are limited and educators must apply to participate in the research study.

To apply: Complete the Life Through Time 2012 Application

Application Deadline: Deadline extended! All application forms must be received by January 18, 2012 to be considered for the program. Deliberations and notification of acceptance into the program will take place by January 20, 2012.

For more information, please contact Christina Cid at 512.232.5509 or ccid@austin.utexas.edu.