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Course Description: The primary goal of this course is to increase the water resource knowledge of students through hands-on, field-based curriculum. To accomplish this, students will be asked to adopt a local stream and perform lab assignments "in the field" to better understand hands-on water quality monitoring techniques. The course will improve the teaching skills of secondary science teachers utilizing distant delivery technologies. By completing this course, secondary science teachers will have a better understanding and hands-on working knowledge of the characterization and quantification of water quality as it relates to secondary school science curriculum and environmental issues on a global scale. Curriculum standards will be linked to each lesson plan so that teachers can easily incorporate the content into their core curriculum.
Meeting Place and Times: Teachers login to the course at a time of day that best fits their schedule. It is necessary to login at least 4 to 6 times per week and spend 18 to 21 hours per week for the 7 weeks the course is in session to successfully complete this intensive/compressed 3 credit graduate level course. The time estimate above includes both the time teachers will spend on-line participating in group discussions and such and the time spent off-line working on assignments, projects, and lab activities.
Instructor(s): Suzanna Carrithers, ME. Suzanna is the Outreach Coordinator for the USGS-Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center. Prior to joining USGS she spent seven years as the Education Coordinator and Water Quality Research Associate for the Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program. The primary focus of her work is in relaying technical scientific information in a manner that enables non-science audiences to gain sound, science-based knowledge, as well as develop and deliver online water quality and soil science courses for teachers and professional practitioners. Suzanna received her bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and her master's degree in Education at MSU. Amber Kirkpatrick , MS. Amber is a research associate with the Montana State University Extension Water Quality Program. She received an undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences-physical geography and soils-from Montana State University. Graduate research investigated constructed wetlands as an option for management of coal bed methane (CBM) product water locally and saline-sodic water globally. Professional experience has been centered on water quality monitoring including water accounting and defining flow/sediment relationships for the Toston Irrigation District and monitoring water quality in the Jack Creek watershed.
Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree; teaching certification for secondary grades 8-12 science; two years of experience teaching science; completion of NTEN's offering Water Quality in the Classroom: A Characterization of the Science and Issues is encouraged but not required.
Target Audience: In-service, place/professional bound 8-12 grade secondary science teachers, particularly those involved or assigned to teaching chemistry, physical and earth sciences, biology and geography.
Time Commitment: 18-21 hours per week. If you are unfamiliar with this field of study and/or method of delivery, you may require more time.
| Cost: | | | Tuition | $720 | | | Books/Materials | $150.00 | | | MSU Fees | $9.45 | | | Total | $879.45 |
Essentially all lab materials will be shipped to you by Montana State University before the beginning of the course. Some materials are covered by your materials fee and will belong to you while other lab equipment must be returned after the conclusion of the course at your expense. The items being returned do not need to be sent back via express or anything, but can be returned via a more economical shipping rate. Your instructors will let you know which items will need to be returned to Montana State University.
The cost of the course assumes that you are taking only online courses from Montana State University (MSU) and/or specially designated courses through MSU Extended University during the semester that the course is offered. If you are also taking regular face-to-face courses from Montana State University, other costs may apply. Montana State University charges a $3.25 per credit hour computer fee for this course. (The fee is $3.15 per credit hour during summer session 2009.) MSU also charges a $30 registration fee per student per semester. If you have not yet paid this fee, you may do so when you register for this course. To learn more, please see the University Business Services' Student Accounts Web page.
Required Books/Materials: Your course kit is covered by the materials fee that you paid at the time of registration, including textbook, supplemental reading materials, and lab materials and equipment. This will be provided by Montana State University a week or so before the course begins. Some items are covered by your course materials fee and will belong to you while other lab equipment must be returned to Montana State University following the conclusion of the course at your expense. The items being returned do not need to be sent back via express or anything, but can be returned via a more economical shipping rate. Your instructors will let you know which items must be returned.
It is strongly encouraged but not absolutely required that you have access to a digital camera and computer connections for upload/download of jpg files, and it is likely you will be asked to find other household items for some of the lab activities.
Computer Requirements: - Computer running Windows 2000 or newer or Mac OS X
or higher
- CD-ROM drive
- Internet access
This course uses a learning management system. You will learn more closer to the course start date.
For More Information: Contact Suzanna Carrithers at scarrithers@montana.edu.
Stream Side Science Weekly Outline & Supply List
Stream Side Science Test Kit and Equipment Specifications and Sources
How to Register: Register Online
Register Online
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