RiverQuest
Professional Development Workshops
RiverQuest presents several workshops each year to allow teachers to become  explorers. Workshops are designed to further content knowledge and to provide opportunities for practicing teaching strategies within the context of the workshop topic. Partnering agencies help enrich teacher experiences by brining their own expertise and resources to the table. Use these links to jump to upcoming workshops:
 Environmental Science Workshop, March 6 and 8, 2008
River of Words Workshop, April 2 and 9, 2008
RiverQuest/ASSET Spring 2008 Teacher Institute
Environmental Science Workshop:
Exploring the World of Freshwater Ecology
Thursday, Mar. 6 and Saturday, Mar. 8, 2008
9:00am - 3:00pm both days
Day 1: Introduction to River Science
LOCATION: Carnegie Science Center's "Discovery Island" facility.
PLAN: Day 1 is an introduction or refresher on topics including hydrology, point/nonpoint-source pollution, environmental history, and human impacts on the environment. Special guest speaker, Dr. Dan Volz will speak on the Allegheny River Stewardship Project, a new study that utilizes fish as indicators for estrogenic pollution sources and mercury levels in the Allegheny River. Dr. Volz is on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Graduate School of Public Health.
Day 2: Field Experience
LOCATION: On board the vessel Discovery
Participants must dress for the weather and wear rubber-soled shoes. PLAN: Participants will conduct water quality tests, collect and examine algae, plankton, and macro-invertebrates, observe birds and shoreline flora, and build evidence to support or refute a prediction about Pittsburgh river water quality. An orientation to the RiverQuest pre-voyage classroom program and curriculum materials is incorporated into the day.
This workshop is recommended for teachers bringing students to one of RiverQuest's onboard educational programs that center on environmental science and ecology:
- Environmental Science on the Three Rivers
- Beaver County Community River Education Programs
- Armstrong County Community River Education Programs
- Greene County Community River Education Programs
Teachers who complete both days are eligible for 10 Act 48 hours. Schools who are signed up to bring a class to a RQ program can send up to 3 teachers for free; this includes schools participating in Beaver, Armstrong, and Greene County programming. All other teachers, the cost will be $40 for the entire workshop.
Participants are responsible for bringing their own lunch each day as well as paying a $3 parking fee each day for parking in the Carnegie Science Center parking lot.
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Tuesday, Apr. 2 and Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2008
9:00 am - 3:00 pm both days
RiverQuest has joined forces with 3 Rivers Wet Weather and the Arts Education Collaborative to present River of Words: Art & Science for Our Watershed, a two-day teacher workshop designed by RiverQuest and Carnegie Museum of Art.
Teachers of creative arts, science, and language arts are invited to participate in this workshop integrating environmental science with writing, poetry, and art. Experience the connections between the processes of science and art and learn about human impacts on our watershed.
River of Words is a national program that enables teachers to help their students understand environmental science and express their learning and feelings through art and poetry. This cross-curricular approach not only meets PA Academic Standards, but also ignites passion for science, art and writing among students. A $75 fee covers lunch and workshop both days.
To register, contact the Arts Education Collaborative at 412-201-7402.
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RiverQuest/ASSET Teacher Institute:
Human Impacts on Freshwater Ecosystems
OPEN TO ASSET MEMBER SCHOOLS. 5 days, FEB - MAY
ASSET Inc. and RiverQuest co-facilitate a five-day institute developed especially for middle school teachers. Teachers will gain skills in teaching strategies (ie: use of science notebooks and effective, questioning and inquiry) that can be incorporated in any discipline to increase student learning. Register through ASSET, Inc.
For more information on this and other ASSET programs, go to www.assetinc.org <<< Back to top
Coming Soon:
Alternative Energy Sources for the Future, sponsored by PA DEP (2+ days)
Dates to be announced, June-July 2008.
Presented by RiverQuest, Green Building Alliance, Steel City BioFuels, and Conservation Consultants Incorporated. This 2+ day workshop considers alternative energies and technology utilized to reduce energy usage, to conserve natural resources, and to synthesize new kinds of fuels. Fascinating site visits make this workshop memorable and effective. Please check back for more information about registration and availability.
For more information or to join our Professional Development mailing list, please contact RiverQuest at 412-231-2712 , or email jjordan@riverquest.org.
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