Conservation Science 2009: Integrating Science, Technology & Mathematics

August 3 - 8, 2009
Instructor: Dr Tom Langen, Associate Professor, Biology
In this 5-day institute, middle and high school teachers will learn how to integrate field experiments, simple spreadsheet computer modeling, and hands-on classroom activities to study issues in conservation biology and ecology. The project-based teaching modules will include biodiversity sampling, population size estimation, mapping and measurement of spatial dispersion, population genetics, population dynamics, microclimate and biological impacts of habitat edges, and the importance of habitat size and shape in conservation planning. To make the topic relevant to students, the activities will be related to the environment of the St. Lawrence Valley and nearby Adirondack Mountains. The modules can be adapted to most school resources, and can be made appropriate for middle school and high school biology, earth science, and integrated math & science.