Professional Development

Dunes Educator Institutes
Throughout the academic year, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the Dunes Learning Center (DLC) will provide high-quality, professional development opportunities for K-12 classroom teachers and non-formal educators. Workshops feature experts in various fields of study, hands-on activities and adventures within the national lakeshore. Illinois teachers can receive continuing education units (CEUs) and Indiana teachers can receive continuing recertification units (CRUs) for participating in these workshops. Indiana and Illinois teachers may apply for graduate credit through Indiana University Northwest and Chicago State University for an extra fee. For university credit, register with IUN through its web site: www.iun.edu or call Dr. Ken Schoon at 219-980-7766 and register with CSU by phoning Mike Siola at 773-995-2964. Fees listed here are for the registration, materials, meals and lodging associated with the workshop and are paid directly to the DLC. To register for any of the workshops, check out the Dunes Learning Center's website at www.duneslearningcenter.org. You can also contact the DLC directly at 219-395-9555 or by email at [e-mail] to receive a registration form. All workshops will be held at the DLC unless noted otherwise.

 

2012-2013 Dunes Educator Institutes

Register for workshops at www.duneslearningcenter.org. Click on educator resources. For specific questions on workshops, email Kim Swift, Education Programs Manager at e-mail us.

September 29, 2012--Dunes Ecology Focusing on Invasive Plants
9:00 am - 5:00 pm Location: Douglas Center for Environmental Education Fee: $35 includes lunch and materials Celebrate National Public Lands Day by learning about one of the biggest threats to the ecology of this region--invasive plants. You will also get to assist in removing some of these unwanted pests. The Dunes Ecology workshops will combine the latest scientific research with engaging stewardship activities for you and your students. You will learn how to collect and record data on national websites and get your students involved in service learning and science in their national park. Participants will receive a copy of Invasive Ecology activity book for teachers.

October 19-20, 2012 - Dunes Ecology Focusing on Birds 4:00 p.m. Friday - 5:00 p.m. Saturday Fee: $80 includes meals, lodging and lots of materials
The southern shore of Lake Michigan lies under the flight path of millions of migratory birds and is the nesting grounds for hundreds of species. This overnight workshop in the comfortable cabins of the Dunes Learning Center will explore research and monitoring being done with saw-whet owls at Indiana Dunes State Park. Participants will be able to assist in banding owls on Friday night (weather permitting) and learn ways they can help these and other bird species in this area. Participants will receive a copy of Ken Brock's Birds of Indiana Dunes book for attending.

December 1, 2012 - Dunes Ecology Focusing on Urban Waters 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Location: Douglas Center for Environmental Education Fee: $35 includes lunch and materials
Government agencies, environmental groups, and scientists are working together to clean local waterways. This workshop will focus on some of the recent research and actions that are making our waterways safer for recreation and cleaner habitats for wildlife. Participants will learn how they can get involved with this regional effort. Participants will receive a set of macro-invertebrate cards for attending.

January 26, 2013 - Project WILD 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fee $35 includes lunch and materials Join us for a day of wild activities - Project WILD that is! Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. Try your hand at activities that teach concepts involving wildlife populations, habitats, interdependence, adaptations, and biodiversity as well as cultural, economic, historic, and political perspectives on wildlife! Participants completing the full workshop will receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide including over 120 exciting activities focusing on terrestrial wildlife.

February 23, 2013 Geology Road Trip with Dr. Ken Schoon 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fee: $60 includes lunch, materials and bus fee Take a road trip with local educator, geologist and author Dr. Ken Schoon to experience the landscape of northwest Indiana in a whole new way. Learn about ancient dune ridges, interesting historic sites, and natural landmarks as you traverse the countryside combining geology, geography and history. Participants will receive a copy of Dr. Schoon's book Calumet Beginnings when they attend.

March 23, 2013 Dunes Ecology Focusing on Climate Change 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education Fee: $35 includes lunch and materials Local scientists and park managers will showcase the latest research and understanding about how climate change is affecting our region. This workshop is one of the Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinics aimed at educating the local community on this important topic. Educators will also learn how their students can get involved in monitoring for climate change with Project Budburst and the Indiana Dunes FieldScope. Participants will receive a teacher activity guide on climate change for attending.

April 27, 2013 Project Learning Tree and Arbor Day Celebration 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fee: $35 Celebrate National Arbor Day and try out a wide variety of hands-on, inerdisciplinary activities that teach about the environment using forests and trees as a window to learning. Each participant who completes the full six-hour workshop will receive a newly updated activity guide packed with 96 broad-based, hands-on, easy to use (and fun) activities! Activities were developed by a team of educators and resource experts and have been tested in classrooms across the country.

June 22, 2013 - Dunes Ecology Focusing on Threatened and Endangered Species 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Location: Douglas Center for Environmental Education Fee: $35 includes lunch and materials The dunes are home to the Karner blue butterfly, Pitcher's thistle, and the Indiana bat, all species listed as threated or endangered. Learn about the latest research on these species and acquire some interesting activities developed in partnership with Notre Dame University to teach about endangered species in your classroom. Participants will receive a book on endangered species for attending.

 

To learn about other professional development opportunities for teachers in the region, check out http://www.teachertraininghub.org/
a comprehensive website with listings
from a variety of organizations.