Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute

The Indiana Natural Resources Teacher Institute is a multi-day professional development workshop that will bring 18 teachers from across the state to Morgan-Monroe State Forest to see firsthand how forestry works in Indiana.  Sessions include tours of public and private forest lands, forest industry facilities, and forestry research in Indiana.

The institute aims to provide Indiana teachers with knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively teach their students about forest ecology and forest management practices. The forest environment becomes the basis for integrating the learning of many subject areas, including environmental science, biology, natural resources, and social science. STEM concepts and principles will be incorporated throughout the sessions. The program empowers teachers to foster conceptual learning, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in their classrooms.

Benefits: 

The Natural Resources Teacher Institute emphasizes the importance of the conservation of natural resources with special attention given to Indiana’s forests and forest products. The project-based approach integrates the hands-on study of the natural and cultural resources of the local community and addresses concepts in ecology, sense of place, civics, economics, and forest land management and stewardship. Participants will develop a curriculum project about forests or forestry for their classrooms. Participants will earn 30+ Professional Growth Points and receive a stipend upon documentation of implementing the curriculum project. We link the concepts to the Indiana Learning Standards and provide training in Project Learning Tree materials.

When and where: 

The Institute will begin on Monday of the week at 1:00 pm and conclude on Friday at 12:00 pm. Our base of operation will be the Forestry Training Center at Morgan-Monroe State Forest near Martinsville. Teachers will stay in the Training Center, sharing one of the 10 sleeping rooms.  Meals will be provided.

Eligibility:

• Interested educators must complete an application and submit it by the deadline of March 15, 2023. Successful applicants will be notified by April 1, 2023.
• The Institute is limited to 18 participants.

Requirements:

• Must be available to participate in all days of the Institute. Individual participation only – spouses and/or children, etc, are not permitted.
• Must be able to actively participate in all activities, which will include walking, hiking, summer temperatures, insects, etc. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities who may need assistance.
• Must have the ability to implement a curriculum project in their educational setting.

Cost:

• There is no cost for participants. Those accepted will be required to pay a $50.00 deposit which will be refunded at the end of the program.
• Participants will receive a stipend when documentation is provided that they have implemented their curriculum project with their students.

Please fill out the Natural Resources Teacher Institute Application before March 15, 2023.