Alcoa Foundation sponsors Massena teachers to development institute in CO Teachers will learn how to involve their students in studying environmental issues

Alcoa Foundation is sponsoring two teachers from the Massena Central School District to attend Key Issues Institute, a national teacher professional development institute held in Silverthorne, Colorado each summer. The two selected teachers are Melisa Denney from Nightengale Elementary School and Shelley Carroll from Jefferson Elementary School. They will be among 30 teachers from 15 Alcoa communities across the country to attend the Key Issues Institute through a partnership with The Keystone Center. Teachers will learn new techniques around conducting hands-on environmental experiments during the weeklong national professional development program.

Key Issues Institute provides teachers with the skills and confidence to address environmental issues with their students using an interactive process. Teachers explore a local environmental issue in Colorado as an example of how they can involve their students in an issues investigation in their own community. This is done through classroom, lab, and field activities, as well as simulations using the Key Issues Curriculum Framework.

The interdisciplinary framework, which meets national education standards, is designed to promote a collaborative approach to scientific investigation and problem solving and build 21st century learning skills. This year, a live webcast of Key Issues Institute will be held from July 27-30 for teachers and members of the general public interested in learning about the program, lessons and activities that can be implemented in the classroom. The webcast will highlight portions of the teacher professional development institute as teachers work through the curriculum framework. The webcast and schedule of events will be located at http://www.keystone.org/education.

“Teachers take the framework back to the classroom and involve their students to take on a local environmental issue with an unbiased, inquiry-based approach,” said Anne Love, Program Director, Key Issues Institute.

Teachers are given an opportunity to develop new professional networks, share best practices, and begin thinking through the environmental investigation they will implement with their students. Teachers leave Key Issues Institute with curriculum materials, lab equipment, and online support from staff and other educators.

Past participants at Key Issues Institute have addressed diverse issues with their students including water and air quality, wetland degradation, waste management, and recycling. Alcoa Foundation has previously sponsored teachers from the Massena area in 2008, 2006, 1998 and 1997.