2010 Summer Institutes
2011 Institute Dates will be announced soon. If you’d like to receive notice when they are posted, please send an email to btwinquiries at fergusonfoundation.org.
| June 14- June 18: | Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Monocacy National Battlefield, & Catoctin Mountain Park |
| June 21 - June 25: | Maryland and Washington D.C. National Parks [NOTE: this institute is full; please consider applying for the Virginia institute instead. Although locations are different, the content is the same.] |
| June 28- July 2: | Virginia National Parks |
| August 9 - August 13: | C&O Canal National Historical Park, Cumberland and Rocky Gap State Park |
These BTW summer institutes will prepare teachers to incorporate one or more of the BTW stand-alone curriculum modules into science courses. During these institutes, participants will explore the Potomac watershed to learn the local history, geology, and ecology and work with student investigations in the BTW curricula. An integral part of the institutes is an opportunity for teachers to engage in a field study in their participating parks to collect and analyze authentic data.
Building bridges between national parks and schools has been a main focus for BTW. The goal is to reach middle and high school students and heighten their awareness of the real-world issues in their backyard—the Potomac watershed. During the institute, teachers and national park rangers (and volunteers in national parks) work together engaging in activities students will do in the classroom and work together in the parks getting their “feet wet” engaging in field studies.
General Info
WHO SHOULD APPLY: Secondary school (grades 6 – 12) environmental science, Earth science, chemistry, biology, integrated physics teachers, National Park Service and Maryland Park Service rangers and volunteers in parks. Teachers who have attended a previous institute are ineligible.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: During this four and half day institute, participants will learn BTW curricula and strategies to implement hands-on activities in the classroom, engage in field studies in national and state parks, and complete a project due at the end of the institute.
EXPECTATIONS: Participating teachers must implement one BTW module with their class by November 30th, 2010. This includes completing classroom lessons and bringing students to a participating national or state park for a field study. All participants must also complete a final, written project, submit a student work portfolio, and participate in an online web forum. Out-of-class independent work will total approximately 6-10 hours between the start of the institute and November 30th.
STIPEND AND STIPEND REQUIREMENTS: $700 for teachers for full participation in the 4.5-day institute plus a follow-up field study with secondary school students in a participating national or state park before November 30, 2010. Stipends will be issued in December 2010.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT:
- Three (3) graduate credits are available from Catholic University at current university rates (pending approval). Credit will be issued at end of Fall 2010 semester. To receive graduate credit, in addition to full class participation and follow-up field study, teachers will be required to submit a portfolio of student work and program evaluation. Tuition must be paid to the university. In 2009, the cost was $300.
- MSDE - 3 credits
APPLICATIONS: The dealine for the application and supporting documents is May 1, 2010. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Notification of acceptance to the institute will be sent by May 15, 2010.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park,
Monocacy National Battlefield,
& Catoctin Mountain Park
INSTITUTE TIMES: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATIONS: Classes are conducted in the field and in the classroom at Harpers Ferry NHP, Monocacy NB, and Catoctin Mountain Park.
NOTE: Frederick County teachers, we will offer a make-up day in July to accommodate your snow-delayed schedule, or you may complete one of a few extra projects to satisfy the requirements of the course.
Download Ranger/Volunteer Application 
C&O Canal National Historical Park, Cumberland
and Rocky Gap State Park
INSTITUTE TIMES: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATIONS: Classes are conducted in the field and in the classroom at C & O Canal NHP- Cumberland and Rocky Gap State Park.
Please note: teachers who will be participating in Outdoor School next spring do not need to complete a field study by November 30th to receive the stipend.
Download Ranger/Volunteer Application
Maryland and Washington D.C. National Parks
INSTITUTE TIMES: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATIONS: Classes are conducted in the field and in the classroom at various National Parks in the Maryland and Washington D.C. Metro area.
Download Ranger/Volunteer Application
Virginia National Parks
INSTITUTE TIMES: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
LOCATIONS: Classes are conducted in the field and in the classroom at Virginia National Parks
NOTE: Arlington County teachers, we will offer a make-up day in July to accommodate your snow-delayed schedule, or you may complete one of a few extra projects to satisfy the requirements of the course.
Download Ranger/Volunteer Application
Contact: Jeanne Troy
Phone: 301-292-8757
Email: