2003 TORCH ALASKA

Field Biology and Field Geology of the Taiga and Tundra Ecosystems, Alaska Range

Session 1: Wednesday, August 6- Thursday, August 14, 2003.

Participant Share of Cost (SOC): $900 plus airfare to Anchorage rendezvous. (Partial need-based fellowship may be available). Rolling Admissions. $150 non-refundable deposit.

The Environmental Learning Institute provides course transport from the Anchorage rendezvous to the Alaska Range, Alaska, on-course travel, food, cooking equipment, lodging, protected area fees, course reader and all scientific and research equipment.

This Share of Cost (SOC) does not include airfare from the participant’s home to and from Anchorage, personal clothing, personal equipment expenses, personal expenses or optional travel.

Credits:

Option 1. 4 graduate-level relicensure hour credits available through Colorado School of Mines (additional $130). Registration for this credit is done at the completion of the course with payment by credit card or check.

Option 2. 2 sciences graduate credits available through New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology ($360; option for 3 sciences graduate credits with additional required post-course research paper, $540). Registration for this credit must be completed prior to the course. NMIT registration materials available at www.nmt.edu/~eodi.

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS!

Dropoff: 9 AM, Thursday, August 14 Anchorage airport. Therefore you can book flights at 11 AM..

In this TORCH we will explore through authentic inquiry-based learning-research activities the incredible tundra and taiga ecosystems of Alaska's "Alaska Range". August is usually a time of beautiful weather, frequently clear skies. The Alaska Range is composed of the highest mountain in North America (Denali), spectacular glaciated mountain ranges, intact Taiga forests, and incredibly mammal-rich dry and wet tundra ecosystems. Spruce trees, willows, birch, grizzley bears, black bears, caribou, moose, wolves, wolverine, arctic fox typify the region. We will visit with the Athabascan and Immigrant-Alaskan communities whose lives are fundamentally dependent on the sustainable management of the region. We will be tent-camping and staying in basic cabins. Our days are filled with field work, our evenings include lively text-based discussions of inquiry-based scientific learning, traditional ecological knowledge, expeditionary learning, team development models, global environmental change.

3. Itinerary (This will change due to weather, road conditions and other circumstances of Alaska expeditionary learning):

Days 1 The team meets in Anchorage, Alaska and visits the Alaska Native Heritage Center. We then study tour northward along the Parks Highway enroute to the Denali National Park.

Days 2-4 the team camps in Denali National Park and goes for long day study hiking excursions into the dry tundra of the Denali wilderness.

Day 5-7 the team will study tour on and hike off of the Denali Highway eastward from Cantwell to Paxson along the southern slopes of the Alaska Range. Mount Deborah, Hess Mountain and Mount Hayes dominate the northern skyline. We camp in BLM managed protected areas. Long day hikes in the BLM protected areas of the Alaska Range. We canoe explore the Tangle Lakes Archeological Protected Area.

Day 8-9 We study tour along and hike off of the Richardson Highway from Paxson to Glennallen, visiting a sock-eye salmon hatchery, and then the Glenn Highway from Glennallen to Anchorage.

We invite intermediate- to secondary-level pre-service, in-service, education undergrad and graduate student, science education professors (teacher of teachers) and science education professionals (e.g. science education coordinators, university, park, museum and outdoor center affiliated).

5. Structure of workshop:
Participants will attend content lectures and guided hikes, undertake field studies in both taiga and tundra ecosystems. Our days are filled with field work, our evenings include lively text-based discussions of inquiry-based learning, expeditionary learning, team development models, global environmental change.

6. Content Knowledge Topics: Field Geology and Field Biology in the Context of Natural Ecosystems and Ecological Concepts

This course provides an overview of the Alaskan Taiga and Tundra ecosystems: what they are; how they work from a geological and biological perspective; and how they evolve and adapt to change. Ecosystem structure and function, as well as ecosystem development and dynamic equilibrium are integrated into a central theme of sustainability from a local and global perspective. Particular emphasis will be given to the ecology of the southern slopes of the Alaska range. Biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere interactions and exchanges within the Tiaga and Tundra biomes are introduced as related to issues of local and global environmental change. The philosophy, pedagogy and learning activities of the course employ a standards- and inquiry-based approach.

7. Curriculum materials:
Each participant will also receive a binder in which to put all course handouts. Included will be readings on global change and current environmental issues in taiga and tundra ecosystems, both global and local. Maps and field guides for each field site as well as descriptions of common field techniques and their applications will also be included. In addition, teachers will receive handouts regarding pedagogy, ways in which inquiry based learning may be implemented in the classroom, alternative assessment (rubrics, portfolios, exhibitions), and constructivism in science education.

8. Field Equipment: Our field lab includes several notebook computers, TI-89 graphing calculators, a full set of Vernier calculator and computer-based laboratory probes and standard geological and biological field equipment. A digital projector, compasses, barometers, digital cameras, mini-DV camcorders, 35 mm SLR, dissecting microscope, GPS units.

9. Food and Lodging: We will be cooking in a camp and also occassionally eating in simple local restaurants. Participants will be asked to help the camp manager with cooking and cleaning chores in rotation. We will be camping in tents and using sleeping bags. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Two person tents are provided, though you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.

10. Physical Fitness Requirements: The Alaska Range TORCH course involves hiking in the wet taiga forests, wet and dry tundra, dayhiking with a 20 pound daypack, hiking on trails and off-trails, traveling in a van for several hours on sometimes curvy mountain roads, traveling in a canoe. Participants will sleep in tents, in sleeping bags with sleeping pads on the ground.

BACK	FOR THE CURRENT COURSE DESCRIPTION PLEASE GO TO THE ELI HOME PAGE








"The TORCH workshop that I participated in has been invaluable. The staff is a remarkable combination of brilliance, experience, scientific knowledge, and cultural understanding. To be immersed in this unique environment has enriched my professional and personal life. Already I have developed and presented two workshops using inquiry and environmental themes from this workshop. The First Nations perspectives and a western science grounding are combined in a setting that is absolutely breathtaking." Jean Carpenter, 2002 participant in BC TORCH Outreach Coordinator, Center for Life Sciences, Colorado State University

Application Forms Required Personal Clothing & Gear Annotated Websites National Science Teaching Standards To Pay Share of Cost (SOC) by Credit Card Travel Recommendations
Field Biology and Field Geology of the Taiga and Tundra Ecosystems, Alaska Range Session 1: Wednesday, August 6- Thursday, August 14, 2003. Participant Share of Cost (SOC): $900 plus airfare to Anchorage rendezvous. (Partial need-based fellowship may be available). Rolling Admissions. $150 non-refundable deposit. The Environmental Learning Institute provides course transport from the Anchorage rendezvous to the Alaska Range, Alaska, on-course travel, food, cooking equipment, lodging, protected area fees, course reader and all scientific and research equipment. This Share of Cost (SOC) does not include airfare from the participant’s home to and from Anchorage, personal clothing, personal equipment expenses, personal expenses or optional travel. Credits: Option 1. 4 graduate-level relicensure hour credits available through Colorado School of Mines (additional $130). Registration for this credit is done at the completion of the course with payment by credit card or check. Option 2. 2 sciences graduate credits available through New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology ($360; option for 3 sciences graduate credits with additional required post-course research paper, $540). Registration for this credit must be completed prior to the course. NMIT registration materials available at www.nmt.edu/~eodi. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS! Rendezvous: 1 PM, Wednesday, August 6, Anchorage airport. Dropoff: 9 AM, Thursday, August 14 Anchorage airport. Therefore you can book flights at 11 AM.. 1. Facilitator Contact Information: David Scott Silverberg, Ph.D., 520 731-3374, silverberg@alum.mit.edu Environmental Learning Institute 5710 South Freeman Road #4 Tucson, AZ 85747 2. Brief Description: In this TORCH we will explore through authentic inquiry-based learning-research activities the incredible tundra and taiga ecosystems of Alaska's "Alaska Range". August is usually a time of beautiful weather, frequently clear skies. The Alaska Range is composed of the highest mountain in North America (Denali), spectacular glaciated mountain ranges, intact Taiga forests, and incredibly mammal-rich dry and wet tundra ecosystems. Spruce trees, willows, birch, grizzley bears, black bears, caribou, moose, wolves, wolverine, arctic fox typify the region. We will visit with the Athabascan and Immigrant-Alaskan communities whose lives are fundamentally dependent on the sustainable management of the region. We will be tent-camping and staying in basic cabins. Our days are filled with field work, our evenings include lively text-based discussions of inquiry-based scientific learning, traditional ecological knowledge, expeditionary learning, team development models, global environmental change. Educators will: Learn about the climate, geology, flora and fauna of taiga and tundra ecosystems. Become familiar with global and local threats to these ecosystems. Learn the Grinnel system of field journaling. Learn a variety of field research techniques that can be applied in the classroom as well as in the field with their students. Experience inquiry-based learning first-hand and develop inquiry-based lessons for their own classrooms. co-design and co-implement a Participatory Action Research project (with geological and biological components) serving the interests of the local community. Be encouraged to establish long-term professional connections with each other and local experts. Participate in professional forums on inquiry-based science, alternative assessment, and constructivist pedagogy in the science classroom. Contribute to the creation of a world wide web site that will illustrate the philosophy, pedagogy and experiences of the workshop. 3. Itinerary (This will change due to weather, road conditions and other circumstances of Alaska expeditionary learning): Days 1 The team meets in Anchorage, Alaska and visits the Alaska Native Heritage Center. We then study tour northward along the Parks Highway enroute to the Denali National Park. Days 2-4 the team camps in Denali National Park and goes for long day study hiking excursions into the dry tundra of the Denali wilderness. Day 5-7 the team will study tour on and hike off of the Denali Highway eastward from Cantwell to Paxson along the southern slopes of the Alaska Range. Mount Deborah, Hess Mountain and Mount Hayes dominate the northern skyline. We camp in BLM managed protected areas. Long day hikes in the BLM protected areas of the Alaska Range. We canoe explore the Tangle Lakes Archeological Protected Area. Day 8-9 We study tour along and hike off of the Richardson Highway from Paxson to Glennallen, visiting a sock-eye salmon hatchery, and then the Glenn Highway from Glennallen to Anchorage. 4. Levels of educator-participants: We invite intermediate- to secondary-level pre-service, in-service, education undergrad and graduate student, science education professors (teacher of teachers) and science education professionals (e.g. science education coordinators, university, park, museum and outdoor center affiliated). 5. Structure of workshop: Participants will attend content lectures and guided hikes, undertake field studies in both taiga and tundra ecosystems. Our days are filled with field work, our evenings include lively text-based discussions of inquiry-based learning, expeditionary learning, team development models, global environmental change. 6. Content Knowledge Topics: Field Geology and Field Biology in the Context of Natural Ecosystems and Ecological Concepts This course provides an overview of the Alaskan Taiga and Tundra ecosystems: what they are; how they work from a geological and biological perspective; and how they evolve and adapt to change. Ecosystem structure and function, as well as ecosystem development and dynamic equilibrium are integrated into a central theme of sustainability from a local and global perspective. Particular emphasis will be given to the ecology of the southern slopes of the Alaska range. Biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere interactions and exchanges within the Tiaga and Tundra biomes are introduced as related to issues of local and global environmental change. The philosophy, pedagogy and learning activities of the course employ a standards- and inquiry-based approach. Learning Activity Topics Include: Environmental History of Alaska Alaska and Global Environmental Change Experimental Design and Data Interpretation Watersheds and Mountain Environmental Change Tectonic, Geologic and Physical Geographic Development of Alaska Glacial Geomorphic Processes Causes and Consequences of Northern Latitudes Biodiversity Taiga Forest and Tundra Structure & Function Habitat Fragmentation and Degradation How Taiga and Tundra Ecosystems Work Alaska's Protected Areas and Communities 7. Curriculum materials: Each participant will also receive a binder in which to put all course handouts. Included will be readings on global change and current environmental issues in taiga and tundra ecosystems, both global and local. Maps and field guides for each field site as well as descriptions of common field techniques and their applications will also be included. In addition, teachers will receive handouts regarding pedagogy, ways in which inquiry based learning may be implemented in the classroom, alternative assessment (rubrics, portfolios, exhibitions), and constructivism in science education. 8. Field Equipment: Our field lab includes several notebook computers, TI-89 graphing calculators, a full set of Vernier calculator and computer-based laboratory probes and standard geological and biological field equipment. A digital projector, compasses, barometers, digital cameras, mini-DV camcorders, 35 mm SLR, dissecting microscope, GPS units. 9. Food and Lodging: We will be cooking in a camp and also occassionally eating in simple local restaurants. Participants will be asked to help the camp manager with cooking and cleaning chores in rotation. We will be camping in tents and using sleeping bags. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Two person tents are provided, though you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. 10. Physical Fitness Requirements: The Alaska Range TORCH course involves hiking in the wet taiga forests, wet and dry tundra, dayhiking with a 20 pound daypack, hiking on trails and off-trails, traveling in a van for several hours on sometimes curvy mountain roads, traveling in a canoe. Participants will sleep in tents, in sleeping bags with sleeping pads on the ground.