GIT Ahead Institute
July 7-11, and August 25-27 2008
Using Geospatial Technologies to Teach Science in
the Finger Lakes
We are pleased to announce a collaborative effort among the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Cornell University, The Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology (IAGT), and Cayuga Community College. The GIT Ahead Project provides opportunities for teachers to learn about geographic information technologies (GIT), such as GIS, GPS, Google Earth, Google Maps and a variety of geospatial web-based resources as they develop and identify science lesson and unit plans for their classroom. The ultimate goal of this project is to help middle and high school students see geospatial technologies as pathways to relevant, exciting and high-demand careers. GIT Ahead is focused on creating higher education opportunities for all students, but especially those who might not otherwise see a reason to succeed in high school or go on to college.
We would like to invite you to apply for the GIT Ahead Institute.
The GIT Ahead Institute entails a total of eight days of hands-on training divided into two sessions:
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The first session of the Institute will be offered in coordination with the Teaching with Spatial Technology (TwiST) conference at IAGT (3 days - July 7th through 9th) in Auburn, New York and at the Finger Lakes Institute (2 days - July 10th and 11th) in Geneva, New York.
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The second session of the Institute will be held at the Finger Lakes Institute in Geneva, New York (3 days – August 25th through 27th).
We provide teachers with new tools and experiences at the beginning of the summer and then regroup and finalize our plans for the upcoming year in late August before the school year begins.
During the GIT Ahead Institute, teachers will:
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experience field and computer-based inquiry investigations
that incorporate the use of geospatial technologies,
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conduct watershed research in regional streams and terrestrial
environments,
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learn about Finger Lakes watershed research and management
issues from regional scientists, planners and other professionals,
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share ideas and build relationships with other innovative teachers participating in the Institute, and
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begin developing a unit that uses geospatial technologies
to help their students learn science as they address environmental
issues of local or regional concern.
GIT Ahead teachers are recruited from throughout the Finger
Lakes Region. Participating teachers will receive the following:
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Waiver of TwiST Conference registration fee and related
costs
(~$400 value)
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Stipend for the three days in August at the FLI ($300)
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Meals and housing throughout the experience
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A school-wide site license for ArcGIS 9.2 ($4000 value)
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Garmin GPS receiver
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Text and curriculum resources focused on GIS and GPS
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Opportunities to learn new skills and work on your own curriculum projects during Saturday workshops held throughout the school year ($50-$100 stipend per day for up to four workshops)
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Access to a variety of pre-formatted GIS datasets for the Finger Lakes region
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Technical and pedagogical support throughout the school year
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Access to a classroom set of GPS units to be borrowed from the FLI
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Access to a community of educators who share your interests and goals
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The option to receive professional development credit for participation in the Institute
GIT Ahead teachers also have the ability to participate in a year long, tuition paid, three-credit graduate course at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (EDUC791) associated with this project. Teachers who complete the following receive credit for the course.
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Attend both sessions of the GIT Ahead Summer Institute
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Attend four or more GIT Ahead Saturday workshops
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Complete a unit plan for a series of lessons utilizing GIT
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Submit a Post-Teaching Reflective Analysis after teaching each lesson
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Complete a Reflective Statement summarizing your perspectives on the overall unit and its impact on your students
This summer’s training institute will begin the third year of the GIT Ahead project. The project has been highly successful and continues to find new ways that best support Finger Lakes science teachers wishing to use these technologies in their classrooms. We focus on providing science teachers with a supportive and collaborative atmosphere within which they can learn about new tools and find ways to integrate geospatial technologies into existing curricula, including Regents science and courses for pre-Regents students. GIT Ahead teachers vary in their experience using technology and the courses they teach (Living Environment, Earth Science, Environmental Science, International Baccalaureate, AP Courses, General Science, etc.). We work closely with each educator to help them use geospatial technology in a way that meets their vision for curriculum development and matches the needs of their students.
As one teacher summed up the experience last summer by stating: “Best training conference I've ever attended. Very positive and supportive!! I'm walking away with USEFUL information and lessons I can use immediately in my classroom.” If you would like to see what more of our current teachers are saying about their experience this year, click here.
Enrollment in the 2008 GIT Ahead Institute for 2008 is limited to 20 participants. You may apply online at: GIT Ahead Online Application or send the application form linked below to Karen Edelstein at the email address listed below or via email. Finally, please let us know if you have any questions. We hope to see you this summer!
NOTE: Application deadline has been extended to March 28, 2008. We'll make decisions about acceptances by April 7th.
Please contact Karen Edelstein, the GIT Ahead Project Manager,
for more information, or to be put on our mailing list for announcement reminders.
Karen Edelstein
Finger Lakes Institute
601 S. Main St.
Geneva, NY 14456
edelstein@hws.edu
315-781-4385
Opportunity for Teachers from Outside the Finger Lakes Region
If you are a teacher who works outside the 15-county Finger Lakes Region of New York, consider taking part in TwiST 2008. The Teaching with Spatial Technology Conference is a one-week workshop that runs concurrently with GIT Ahead, with all TwiST sessions held at Cayuga Community College in Auburn, NY. TwiST is designed to teach K-14 teachers in the United States how to use and incorporate geographic information technology (GIT)--including GIS, GPS, aerial and satellite imagery--into science, math, English, and social studies curricular development and classroom exercises.
For more information on TwiST, visit http://iagt.org/twist/
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Online Application
Application period is now closed.
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