NSF GLACIER--Global Change Initiative--Research and Education
Teacher Letter

March 2014

Dear Prospective GK-12 Teacher Partner:

We would like to introduce you to the Project GLACIER- Global Change Initiative-Research and Education, anNSF-funded program run by Boston University. This program partners graduate students from biology, earth science, geography, engineering and mathematic & statistics with grade 5-8 classroom teachers in Brookline and Cambridge. As a result of their classroom experiences in K-12 classrooms, GK12 fellows learn the skills necessary to effectively communicate and teach STEM disciplines, as well as become more inclined and better prepared to contribute to K-12 education in their future positions as practicing scientists. By participating in the program and teaming with a GK12 fellow, classroom teachers have the opportunity to develop additional content resources and to further their professional development. In addition, K-12 students will benefit from these partnerships by becoming more scientifically literate and more enthusiastic about learning STEM subjects.

GK12 GLACIER fellows will spend 8-10 hours/week assisting in the classroom. In general, they are expected to enhance class content, help develop classroom activities, occasionally present lessons, and provide additional resources for after school tutoring and extracurricular activities. Each teacher-fellow team will define the fellow’s role and plan classroom projects and activities during a two-week summer workshop. During this wrokshop, you will also have the opportunity to learn how to use geospatial technologies in your classroom.

Each fellow will have a Boston University faculty advisor who will work to ensure that the teacher-fellow teams identify classroom areas where fellows can be most helpful and develop activities that promote better scientific understanding and interest among K-12 students.

Students selected as GK12 fellows participate in an 8-week training program to prepare them for the classroom. During the spring they will observe classes, learn pedagogy, and gain practical experience in summer teaching settings. The training program concludes a two-week workshop that teachers and fellows both attend. During this time, the teams work together to develop an implementation plan for the fall.

As a participating teacher, you will receive a stipend of $4000 if you complete all program requirements. GK12 teacher partners will also receive a budget of $500 to use for a field trip.

Please review the document that outlines more specifically the expectations of participating teachers. If, after reviewing them, you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please fill out the teacher application form on the web at http://www.bu.edu/glacier/teacherapp.html. Additional questions can be directed to: