EXCEUS 115 - Amazon Research Initiative for Educators

Course Description

The Amazon Research Initiative for Educators (ARIE) is a 10-day professional development research experience for K12 teachers. Based in the Amazon rainforest of Peru, teachers will work closely with Morpho Institute faculty to investigate research questions focusing on the broad theme of ¿Biodiversity in the Changing World through Time and Space.¿ Teachers on the ecology team will learn key scientific methodologies such as plant phenology monitoring, animal behavior observation, basic statistical analysis, and science communication. Teachers on the human geography team will gain experience with social science research techniques. In partnership with the indigenous Maijuna, the team will focus on their struggle against a proposed highway that would bisect their ancestral homeland. Teachers in both groups will contribute to the Morpho Institute¿s long-term data sets, which are available for use in classroom investigations. Curriculum connection sessions give teachers time to relate their Amazon research experiences to inquiry-based activities they plan to carry out at home with their students.