Summer Water Institute for Middle School Educators

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This fun-filled, 4-day institute combines field experiences with classroom activities. Participants visit different fresh water ecosystems to compare and contrast the habitats, fisheries, water, and wildlife under the tutelage of experts.

To become truly effective with STEM, educators need to build their skills. Participants will be given an opportunity to:

  1. Acquire and, then, use STEM content skills while at the same time providing a real world application of science.
  2. Develop an understanding of the complexity of sustainability issues by comparing and  contrasting vastly different ecosystems.
  3. Produce a lesson plan to deliver active, interdisciplinary, and enriching educational experiences for their students using the outdoors as a key resource.
  4. Identify, select, and address appropriate Florida Curriculum Standards in STEM outdoor activity planning.

Why this workshop is for you

Water is an excellent STEM topic for middle schoolers because it's relatable and essential for life, allowing for hands-on exploration of real-world problems like conservation and pollution, connecting abstract concepts to tangible, local issues, and sparking interest in crucial future careers in environmental science, engineering, and technology. Its universal presence makes it accessible, while its complexities (water cycle, quality, management) provide rich ground for scientific inquiry, design challenges, and mathematical modeling. 

Science

  • Biology: Water's role in ecosystems, human body functions, and life's origins.
  • Chemistry: Properties of water, solutions, pH, and pollution.
  • Earth Science: Water cycle, watersheds, groundwater, and climate.

Technology

  • Researching water usage, monitoring water quality with sensors, and developing apps for conservation.

Engineering

  • Designing water filters, building erosion barriers, creating irrigation systems, or developing water-saving devices.

Mathematics

  • Calculating water footprints, analyzing water usage data, modeling flow rates, and understanding water conservation metrics. 

Key Benefits for Middle Schoolers

  • Relevance: Directly connects classroom learning to their daily lives and community.
  • Engagement: Fun, safe, and easy to work with, encouraging play-based learning.
  • Problem-Solving: Tackles complex global issues (scarcity, pollution) that foster critical thinking and innovation.
  • Career Inspiration: Exposes students to essential green careers in water management, treatment, and conservation.
  • Environmental Stewardship: Cultivates empathy and a sense of responsibility for protecting resources. 

Here's more information on this workshop

  • Who: Middle School Educators

  • Trout Lake Nature Center, 520 East CR 44, Eustis, FL 32736

  • Cost: Free to all middle school educators. Lake County teachers only are eligible for a $70/day.

  • Lunch: Lunch is provided. If you have any special dietary requirements, you may need to bring your own lunch. Email or call to discuss with us.

  • In-service Credit: All requirements to receive in-service credit will be met but it is the responsibility of the educator to work with their in-service coordinator to obtain credit.

  • Dress: You should dress comfortably. We will be working both indoors and outdoors in the Florida summer. We suggest you bring rain gear, refillable water bottle, snacks, and coffee mug. Because it is summer we will supply adult strength bug spray but you may prefer to bring your own.

  • Travel: Day 1 will be at the Trout Lake Nature Center, Day 2 will start with a boat trip starting in Mt. Dora on Lake Dora, Day 3 will be a Blackwater Creek/Lake Norris Paddle trip, and Day 4 will be back at the Trout Lake Nature Center. Because Day 2 and 3 begin off-site and you will be meeting up with the group, you will drive to the starting points. We suggest that you car pool when possible.

Here's What You Will Get

  • Participants will receive:
    Project WET Manual
    Project Learning Tree Manual
    Aquatic WILD Manual
    USB Drive with supplemental materials for your use

Institute Partners

Trout Lake Nature Center (TLNC), Lake County Water Authority (LCWA), League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF), UF Program of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and Lake County Parks and Water Resources