Please read the following information before completing your TIMES application.
The TIMES Project has a nine-year record of success in helping teachers experience the “science” in earth science and bringing this experience to their teaching. TIMES is an exciting opportunity for you to experience Minnesota geology first-hand, study the geology of your region, work with a variety of scientists who are experts in Minnesota geology and field research, bring local examples of geology to your classroom, and expand your own curriculum to incorporate more student-directed investigations and learning.
With 12 projects over the last nine years, TIMES has visited every region of Minnesota, and returns again to the Twin Cities Metro with a new TIMES XIII Project at North Hennepin Community College. Earth science teachers in the Metro area should take advantage of this once-in-a-career opportunity to experience the geology of their region. TIMES has involved over 180 earth science teachers from throughout Minnesota, many of whom are now leaders in Minnesota science education, and all of whom sing the praises of this experiential, inquiry-based, two-week summer field experience.
Teachers participating in the TIMES Project will receive:
• training in regional earth science and field research techniques, observation, and analysis
• time to design a field investigation for your students that matches your curriculum
• bus reimbursement for your school, if your field work with students is off-campus
• light breakfast and lunch each day during the institute, and dinner (if we work late)
• four graduate semester credits
• $500 stipend, resource materials, and
• the chance to ride around in vans and talk about geology for two weeks!
Please note the following:
• We are looking for earth science teachers who wish to grow professionally and are willing to experience and use inquiry approaches in their classroom. We want leaders – teachers who are willing to learn and share their experiences with other teachers and students.
• The project is designed to build content understanding and enthusiasm for earth science regardless of your background in geology. We are especially interested in applicants who are new to teaching earth science and have not had many college-level geology courses or those who are teaching earth science on a variance; but all levels of experience are invited to apply. The final group will be a mix of teaching experience.
• Teachers must attend both weeks of the institute in its entirety – June 15-19 & June 22-26, 2009 at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. Most days will finish at 5:00 pm, but two nights each week, we may go as late as 8:00 pm. We will need your flexibility. Sometimes it will not be possible to end at 5:00 pm due to travel time and field work.
• There will be two Saturday follow-up sessions – one in fall and one in spring. Dates to be determined by the group.
• Priority for acceptance is given to ES teachers from the Twin Cities Metro region, but ES teachers from any part of the state may apply. Teachers working on their 5-8 science or high school earth science teaching license will also receive priority in the selection process. Past TIMES teachers who participated in another TIMES region may apply for TIMES XIII, but you must “fly standby”. Past TIMES teachers will only be admitted if the program is not filled by new applicants.
• All teachers must commit to conducting at least one field investigation with their students next school year using techniques learned during the institute. Limited bus reimbursement funds are available through the grant, or your field site can be on school grounds.
• Teachers will be asked to assess students during the school year to show that their involvement in the TIMES Project has had an effect on student achievement.
To apply, click on the link below. If this is your first 2009 MnSTEP application, click on the "First time user account creation" link to create a Login ID and PIN. This ID and PIN will only be used during the application process. However, I encourage you to write down the ID and PIN should you decide to return to your application later or to apply to a second MnSTEP institute this summer. The application Login ID and PIN is NOT the same as (if you already have them set up) your official Hamline ID number and Piperline PIN.
TIMES XIII Application - June 15-19 & 22-26, 2009
***TIMES XIII is FULL. Thank you for your interest.***
North Hennepin Community College (Brooklyn Park, MN)
Instructors Kate Pound, Megan Jones, and Lee Schmitt
Any questions about MnSTEP, TIMES, and/or the application can be directed to:
Shawn Hubert, MnSTEP Administrator
shubert01@hamline.edu 651-523-2846
