Through funds provided by a NSF grant focused on the ecology and evolution of C4 grasses, University of Illinois biology graduate students, science educators and I organized recurring 3-day summer institutes for 6-12 grade teachers to incorporate research-based learning activities in their teaching.  Our workshops seek to provide educators with a framework for linking ecological concepts and cutting edge research with a focus on past, present, and future ecosystem change.  In particular we want to help educators:

• build on core ecosystem concepts through current research,
• develop a framework for engaging students in critical thinking and active learning about ecology,
• and build bridges between science educators, scientists, and students.

All the materials we created for our 2010 and 2012 workshops are available here.

Please check back for information on the summer 2017 workshop!