Five Teachers Participate in SEMESTER@DEP Research Experience for Teachers  

Five teachers from three different schools will participate in the month-long SEMESTER@DEP Program. The Program provides opportunities for teachers to observe and participate in ongoing research or monitoring programs (at state parks or district offices) and to integrate what they learn into their curriculum for the coming school year. The internships are coordinated by the Office of Environmental Education as part of the LIFE program and a priority of DEP’s Secretary Colleen Castille to increase the participation of under-represented groups in environmental science.

“The LIFE Program has reinforced and enriched my existing curriculum.”

92% of teachers agreed or strongly agreed with this statement.

Teachers Weigh-in on the LIFE Program

An online survey of teacher perceptions of the LIFE program was recently conducted focusing on the core group of teachers at each of the four LIFE program sites. The results are available for public viewing at http://www.surveyz.com/ShowResults?id=48761&pie=false&bar=false&line=false. To review the results, enter the following password (no spaces, case sensitive): LIFETeachResults. Thirteen of approximately 18 core teachers from six different schools completed the survey

Teachers Chart a Course for LIFE

Teachers from Fort White High School (Columbia Co.) completed a four-day curriculum integration workshop to match field labs with their new scope and sequence for 8th grade science. Teachers from Sebastian Middle School (St. Johns Co.) met at the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas Environmental Center for two-days to refine their LIFE Program plans for the next school year. From July 19-21, teachers from Northport Middle School (St. Lucie Co.) will work with staff from Savannas Preserve State Park and the Office of Environmental Education to plan for their new LIFE program.

LIFE Teachers Plan for the 2006 Florida Association of Science Teachers (FAST) Conference

LIFE Teachers from Fort White High School are preparing for a full-day workshop/field trip for the 2006 FAST Conference that will be held in Gainesville on October 12-14. Teachers from other LIFE programs are invited to join in the development and delivery of the workshop, which (if accepted) will be conducted on October 12th at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. For more information, please contact Janet Sweat at <>. The workshop will include demonstrations of three LIFE field labs and a hopefully leave time for a canoe trip down the Ichetucknee River.

LIFE Events

• July 19-21: LIFE Curriculum Integration Workshop at Savannas Preserve State Park
• July 19 & 20: Presentation of LIFE Labs at Leon County Schools Workshop
• July 12: LIFE Lab emphasizing Global Positioning Systems for the Summer Science Camp for Girls