Summer Teacher Programs
Teacher Program Credit Options
The Saint Louis Zoo is pleased to announce that graduate credit options are available through four local universities for summer teacher programs. Participants can register for the programs by paying the Zoo lab fee. Participants may enroll for graduate credit from Lindenwood University, Maryville University, University of Missouri-St. Louis or Webster University by paying the associated tuition fee (reduced). Please contact Sharon Kassing, Teacher Programs Coordinator at (314) 646-4553 to receive more details about credit options.
This summer, teacher programs are available for one or two credit hours, depending on program duration and out-of-class requirements. We hope you find programs that meet your professional development needs and that you can participate in more than one.
The Boeing Company has generously provided scholarship funding for teachers of underserved students for the 2011 Summer Teacher Programs at the Saint Louis Zoo. Scholarships are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. To receive an explanation of criteria and an application, contact Sharon Kassing at (314) 646-4553.
Click to register online for summer teacher programs, available March 7, 2011 at 1 p.m. Please see exceptions listed below.
Seasonal Animal Explorations for Young Learners
For Teachers of grades K - 3
Everyone knows how much children love to watch animals in their surroundings and raise questions about them. In this workshop, you will explore a wide variety of hands-on animal related activities across the curriculum for each season. Inquiry based learning techniques will be highlighted, as well as a strong literacy focus. Sessions will also include easy outdoor activities designed to help students connect with nature first hand. All activities will be easily adaptable across this age range, and into a variety of curriculums. They will require little or no cost to create. Packets with all the activities will be provided. Teachers will also be provided with the time, resources and guidance to create their own supplemental curriculum across a season of their choice. Age appropriate background information will be provided throughout.
Workshop Highlights:
- Detailed activity packet to take home.
- Easy to implement activities with limited material needs.
- Fun hands-on learning for you and your students.
- Many opportunities to incorporate science throughout the curriculum.
- Engaging seasonal tie-ins that are not holiday specific.
- Activities that address all learning styles.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructors: Laura Seger, Early Childhood Programs Coordinator, Sharon Kassing, Teacher Programs Coordinator
Fee: $100 Zoo lab fee; one-hour graduate credit offered through various universities (see credit option description above).
Code Date Day Time T627SE June 27
June 30M
Th8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.SOLD OUT
Inquiry: What Is It and How Do I Do It In My Classroom?
For Teachers of grades K - 12
In this week-long institute, you will increase your understanding and use of inquiry-based learning. You will compare different approaches to hands-on science and determine the best times to use each in your classroom. In addition to learning the elements of inquiry, participants will also learn how to modify their own curricular materials to inquiry-based formats. Priority will be given to teams of 2 or more teachers from the same school.
Limited to 25 participants.
Instructors: Marty Galganski, Manager of School Services, Sharon Anibal, Supervisor, School Programs, Missouri Botanical Garden; Betsy King, Senior Educator, Saint Louis Science Center; Sharon Kassing, Teacher Programs Coordinator, Saint Louis Zoo.
Fee: $200, Includes materials and lunch each day
Date Day Time June 20-24 M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For registration information, call the Missouri Bontanical Garden at (314) 577-5185.
Mega-Vertebrates!
For Teachers of grades 3 - 8
Elephants, tigers, and hawks - oh my! In this two-day workshop, we'll examine the animals that students in these grades are typically most interested in. Concentrating on these and other "BIG" favorites, we'll investigate classification, behavior, and adaptations through live animal visits, Zoo tours, discussions, and activities. Math and literacy connections will be explored and take-home activities for your classroom will be provided.
Workshop Highlights:
- Background information on animal classification to broaden your understanding of animal groups.
- Take-home lesson plans and activities that can be readily implemented in the classroom.
- Zoo tours, as well as classroom visits from live animals.
- Round-table discussions with colleagues.
- List of additional Zoo Resources available.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructors: Kimberly Hoormann, Outreach Coordinator and Zoo Staff
Fee: $100 Zoo lab fee; one-hour graduate credit offered through various universities (see credit option description above).
Code Date Day Time T613MV June 13-14 M-Tu 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Herpetology Connections Part 2: Classroom Integration
For Teachers of grades 6 - 12
Join us at the Saint Louis Zoo to discover interesting and exciting ways to incorporate the study of reptiles and amphibians into your classroom curriculum. For this program, which builds on, but does not require participation in last year's class, all you will need is an interest and a desire to bring herpetology concepts into your classrooms. This 2-day program will include classroom activities and a field component. It will focus on, age-appropriate biological surveying techniques, design and implementation of schoolyard BioBlitz, integration of GIS science and nationally recognized citizen science programs such as FrogWatch USA. Learn how to incorporate any and all into your classroom curriculum.
Workshop Highlights:
- Hands-on field experiences led by education department staff and other Zoo staff.
- Lesson plans and hands-on activities for use in the classroom.
- Information about reptile and amphibian adaptations.
- Latest information on current conservation practices that affect populations of herps worldwide.
- Background information and resources for citizen science projects to make the classroom connections.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructors: Zoo Education Staff
Fee: $100 Zoo lab fee; one-hours graduate credit offered through various universities (see credit option description above).
Code Date Day Time T609HC June 9 - 10 Th - F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Midwest Sustainability Educators Institute (MSEI)
What is sustainability and what does it mean for educators? This 3-day institute hosted by Webster University, the Missouri Botanical Gardens, and the Saint Louis Zoo, will define sustainability in an educational context, present examples of schools and resources in the Bi-State region who practice sustainability, and provide working sessions for educators to plan for how they can bring sustainability to their institutions.
Fee: $100 (campus housing available for an additional fee).
Date Day Time June 29-July 1 W-F 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.
For registration and credit information, call (314) 246- 8054 or email diefenlo@webster.edu.