Community Corner

GEHC Foundation Provides STEM Experience For Area Teachers

Participants traveled to the Univ. of Texas Marine Science Institute and took part in intensive, hands-on activities that will be replicated in the classroom.

Since its inception, the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (GEHC) has worked to inspire and engage students of all ages to solve tomorrow’s environmental challenges.

One unique way the GEHC does this is by providing educational opportunities for area teachers through its STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) Partnership Program.

Recently, the GEHC Foundation funded its inaugural STEM Summer Immersion Program, a weeklong seminar for a group of  teachers from schools across Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. Participants traveled to the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas, and took part in intensive, hands-on activities that will be replicated in local classrooms and at the GEHC. The program focused on beach ecology, highlighting ecosystems along the Gulf Coast.

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The GEHC Foundation selected participants from its STEM Partner schools, which were allowed to submit applications for teachers to take part in this unique opportunity.

“The GEHC and its Foundation are pleased to provide an opportunity for area teachers to spend some quality instructional time experiencing real world science. Many schools are emphasizing STEM and focusing on finding ways to incorporate STEM concepts into the regular curriculum and this experience has certainly provided these teachers with the tools to do just that,” said Jason West, the GEHC’s director of programming.

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During their week-long visit, teachers had the opportunity to profile dunes, dig for invertebrates, analyze marine debris, learn about the impact of plastic on the marine environment, collect and process plankton samples, study adaptations and food webs and collect and examine salt marsh plants.

Participating educators included Angie Curtis from  Arcado Elementary School, Jane DuBose from Brookwood Elementary School, Beth Feustel from Peachtree Ridge High School, Jeff Holmes from Norton Elementary School, Melisa Jeffers from Riverside Elementary School, Amy Maxwell  from Peachtree Ridge High School, Katie McClure from Brookwood Elementary School, Christy Shelton from Dunwoody Elementary School and Fuquan Warren from Stripling Elementary School.  Others accompanying the group included Gayle Adkinson, education liaison at the GEHC, Dr. Gale Hey, trustee of the GEHC Foundation, and West.

“The activities I completed during this program can be adapted to fit into my classroom, making learning more hands-on and fun for the students,” said Jeff Holmes. “Being a third grade teacher, I will definitely implement the pollution collection and graphing we completed with my class.  I also plan on using the pictures and videos to reinforce the coastal and ocean habitats that many of my students don’t get a chance to see firsthand.  I’m truly thankful for the opportunity I was given and hope to pass it on to my students for many years to come.”

“This was an amazing experience for everyone involved and will really help these teachers as well as the GEHC in developing STEM lesson plans and activities highlighting  beach ecology, habitats, adaptations of plants and animals and much more,” said West.

For additional information regarding the GEHC and its STEM Partnership Program with area schools, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.

— Submitted by Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center


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