Teachers as Researchers: environmental science research experiences for middle and high school teachers in Oregon

Teaching inquiry-driven science is a complex process, and a considerable gap exists between the mandate to teach science inquiry and the degree to which it is implemented in classroom settings. Engaging teachers as participants in the practice of science is one approach to bridging this gap. The overarching goal of our work is to involve Oregon middle and high school teachers in environmental science research that expands their capacity to engage their students in similar authentic science research. Teacher research experiences at the Andrews Forest Long-Term Ecological Research Program and more generally with scientists at Oregon State University are a focus of this work. Our presentation will give a brief overview of program development and outcomes from projects that engage Oregon teachers in environmental science research, including year-long workshop series to multi-week and multi-year research experience for teachers. In addition, our presentation will highlight outcomes and lessons learned of a three-year NASA-funded project that brings together science educators and climate change researchers to engage teachers in three-week summer research institutes.