CSI-Osceola: Creative Science Investigations at the Waterfront - An Osceola County Invasive Aquatic Plant Teacher Workshop
July 28-August 1, 2008 9 am - 4 pm
PURPOSE: Provide teachers with expanded content knowledge and laboratory/field experience in the area of aquatic (and upland) plant biology and ecology. Participants will learn new investigative and instructional methods for exploring and teaching about Florida's diverse native, non-native and invasive plant communities. Participants will also assist in developing curricula and research projects. Professional development points (CEUs) will be provided upon completion of the 4 days of instruction and activities. Goal: Inspire educators to take this information back to their students and teach with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration!
Note: All lessons/activities developed and/or utilized by the CAIP Education Initiative support the need for teachers and students to meet Florida Sunshine State Standards.
Dates: July 28 - 31, 2008
Suggested number of teachers: 15
WE PROVIDE: meals, drinks, stipend and loads of educational materials
YOU PROVIDE:
- camera / binoculars
- in-service paperwork
- hat / sunglasses
- sunscreen
- Loose-fitting shorts or slacks
- long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
- water shoes
- BOTTLED WATER
July 28 (Monday) Aquatic plant field trip
Location: East Lake Fish Camp • 3705 Big Bass Rd • Kissimmee, FL 34744 • (407) 348-2040 •
See link for directions: http://www.eastlakefishcamp.net/Directions.html
9:00 a – 9:30 a |
Meeting room @ store/café: Welcome, orientation; pre-test; boating safety, etc. (Eleanor Foerste) |
| 9:30 a – 11:45 a | Airboat tour of East Lake Toho; hands-on aquatic plant identification/discussion of Florida’s freshwater habitats and impacts being made by hydrilla and hygrophila infestations.
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| 11:45 a – 12:00 p | Restroom break |
| 12:00 p – 12:40 p | Lunch (provided): Boggy Creek Fish Camp Café |
| 12:45 p – 1:00 p | to the Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative (Amy Richard) |
| 1:00 p – 1:30 p | Ed Harris – FWC (on behalf of Jeff Schardt) PowerPoint presentation: challenges faced by plant managers AND citizens of Florida |
| 1:30 p – 3:00 p | Invaders new media presentation and curricula development (Amy Richard) |
| 3:00 p – 4:00 p | Hydrilla game activity (Amy Giannotti – FWC Regional Biologist) |
July 29 (Tues) Why Do We Need to Manage Invasive Plants?
AM Location: St. Cloud Lakefront • 1104 Lakeshore Blvd • St Cloud FL 34769 • See directions on this page: http://www.stcloud.org/index.asp?SID=417 • Parking lot between New York and Michigan Avenues. Meet at pavilion to the west (left) of the boat ramp.
PM Location: Peghorn Nature Park 2101 Peghorn Way • St Cloud FL 34769 (entrance @ corner of Budinger and 17th St) • (407) 957-7189 • http://www.stcloud.org/index.asp?SID=439
9:00 a – 9:10 a |
Meet in front of banquet hall/restaurant building: Housekeeping/announcements, etc. (Eleanor Foerste) |
| 9:15 a – 10:45 a | Plant Identification on a lake shoreline (pond or stormwater ditch): locating easily accessible plant samples for student activities (Dr. Ken Langeland — UF/IFAS CAIP) |
| 10:45 a – 11:00 a | BREAK (restroom) and move to Peghorn Nature Park (see address above) |
| 11:00 p – 12:00 p | Upland Plant ID by Ken Langeland @ Peghorn Nature Trail (meet @ trail entrance) |
| 12:00 p -- 12:40 p | Box lunch (provided) at Peghorn Education Center |
| 12:45 p — 1:15 p | First-hand experience with invasive plant research in Osceola County (Sarah Berger) |
| 1:15 p – 2:15 p | Why Manage Invasive Plants? Discuss new media presentation/web (Amy Richard) |
| 2:15 p – 2:25 p | BREAK |
| 2:25 p – 4:00 p | Plant ID Challenge Activity: Teachers identify plants using new knowledge and assist in Curricula Development (Amy Richard) |
July 30 (Wed) Develop Curricula
Location: School District Computer Lab • Blue Lab • 1089 Michigan Avenue • St. Cloud FL • 34769 (NE corner of Michigan Avenue and 11th Street)
9:00 a – 9:10 a |
Housekeeping/announcements, etc. (Eleanor Foerste) |
| 9:10 a – 10:15 a | A Fish Tale new media presentation/lesson (i.e., dissolved oxygen and plants in Florida’s freshwater lakes); discuss materials needed to accompany lesson. |
| 10:15 a – 10:25 a | BREAK |
| 10:30 a – 12: 15 p | Use the latest new media technologies to inspire students to create PSAs, virtual posters, and other cool graphic communications. Teachers prepare audio/visual lessons about the problems caused from invasive, non-native plants. VIEW SAMPLES: DEP PSA samples/YouTube, etc. (Phil Chiocchio/Ringling School of Art and Design and Nick Burch/Digital Three Studios). |
| 12:15 p – 1:00 p | Lunch (provided) |
| 1:00 p – 4:00 p | Project WILD: Aquatic and upland invasive species (Lori Haynes/FWC) |
July 31 (Thurs) Develop Curricula
Location: Osceola County Extension Office • 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane • Kissimmee, FL 34744 • See directions at this link: http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu • (321) 697-3000
9:00 a – 10:00 p |
Invasive Species impacts to Ecosystems Activity: Tour and practice invasive species identification. Conduct Plant Diversity study with quadrant analysis to integrate math and science skills. |
| 10:00 a – 12:00 p | Project WILD training: Aquatic ecosystem activity: combining plants and animals for lessons about invasive species. (Lori Haynes / FWC) |
| 12:00 p – 12:45 p | LUNCH (provided) |
| 12:45 p – 1:45 p | Aquatic WILD activity – curriculum adaptations (Lori Haynes / FWC) |
| 1:45 p – 3:30 p | Additional UF/IFAS 4/H School Enrichment Resources to supplement classroom activities |
| 3:30 p – 4:00 p | Post-tests, evaluations and Presentation of Certificates of Completion |
Questions? Call Eleanor Foerste’s cell phone at 407-908-4379
Eleanor C. Foerste
Faculty, Natural Resources
UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension
1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane
Kissimmee, FL 34744
321-697-3000
321-697-3010 fax
efoe@osceola.org
http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu
http://SolutionsForYourLife.com
Helping residents understand and act on natural resources issues including green building, local ecosystems, wildlife, pond management, air quality and water quality.
