“ The teachers report experiences where students not interested in science become much more engaged in this project because it deals with their own community ”
school teachers , some of whom have never had the chance to attend a science teacher ’ s conference . Because of the professional development grant , many of them have traveled with UK faculty and graduate students to state and national conferences , and are in regular contact with one another . Some of their middleschool students came to UK last semester to present their projects in a student research conference setting .
“ The teachers report experiences where students not interested in science become much more engaged in this project because it deals with their own community ,” Krall said . “ They are exploring the world around them and learning things they never knew before , such as how the streams in their back yards eventually flow into the Kentucky River and beyond .”
The project is not only creating watershed awareness in Kentucky , but also helping teachers discover what true “ project-based learning ” means , and how valuable this way of teaching can be .
“ At the end of our training , UK doesn ’ t give the teachers a packet that says ‘ Here ’ s your unit , go teach it ,’” Krall said . “ We developed an overarching question to guide the institute , but teachers go home and work with their students to develop locally specific questions about watersheds . During the summer institutes , Dr . Jennifer Wilhelm also provides training on how to create project-based environments . The model we implement in the institute helps demonstrate
“ The teachers report experiences where students not interested in science become much more engaged in this project because it deals with their own community ”
— Rebecca Krall
scaffolding that must be built within the projects they develop to support student-led investigations . It ’ s a misnomer for teachers that ‘ project-based ’ means asking a question and having students explore without supporting structures to guide learning . There is a lot of scaffolding involved that helps students understand the work and why they are doing it .”
Honor a Teacher Who Made a Difference
What teacher made a difference in your life ? Submissions are now being accepted for the 2017 University of Kentucky College of Education ’ s Teachers Who Made a Difference program .
The program is an opportunity to thank a teacher , principal , professor , coach or other educator who has been inspirational .
Winners are not selected from a pool of nominees . Rather , the College of Education created the program to provide individuals a means to express gratitude to educators who have impacted their lives . Honorees can be from anywhere and do not have to be affiliated with UK . Organizers ask that each nominator limit recognitions to one educator per year , as space is limited .
To honor an educator , complete the online form at https :// education . uky . edu / teachers / nominate /. The deadline for submissions is March 31 , 2017 .
The Teachers Who Made a Difference program includes a special recognition event and reception attended by both the teachers and their nominators .
This year ’ s event will take place 9 a . m . to noon Saturday , April 29 , at the Woodford Reserve Room in Commonwealth Stadium . Those who cannot attend will receive an award by mail . For more information , visit https :// education . uky . edu / teachers or contact the UK College of Education Office of Advancement by phone at ( 859 ) 257-4014 .
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