WETshop 2011

Discover the extensive bounty of our coast with a week-long wetland workshop that introduces educators to the importance of Louisiana’s shores, its battle with wetland loss, and the need for restoration efforts.  Open to all science/history teachers, WETSHOP presents management, stewardship, and ecological concepts through hands-on, real science activities that teachers can bring back to their classrooms. 

WETSHOP is affiliated with a LaSIP project which will consist of 85 hours of instruction (2 components):

1. A week-long, dynamic teacher workshop that allows teachers to work with educator/scientists to learn about Louisiana coastal wetlands, issues and history.  The focus of the summer workshop is to create wetland stewards of teachers in order for them to educate co-workers and students in their home parishes about coastal land loss.  Fifty-five professional contact hours will be accrued upon the completion of this wetland institute. 
2. Thirty additional hours will be met during the Academic Year:
   1. Implementation of a six hour wetland dissemination workshop.
   2. Two, 6-hr. in-service workshops plus 12 hr. of electronic workshops.
   3. Two classroom observations.
   4. Submission of project portfolio.

Participants can receive up to $25.00 per hour for 85 hours upon fulfillment of all project requirements. Participants who complete only the summer workshop will receive $15.00 per hour and will receive a water test kit.

Workshop Highlights
Experience:

• Fisheries management; research trawling, seining
• Barrier islands and their role in coastal health
• Coastal  Botany & Ornithology (visit Brown Pelican rookery)
• Water Quality Testing along fresh to salt water gradient
• Visit transitional Coastal Ecosystems
• Tour one of the largest oil ports in U.S.
• Visit coastal restoration site / Oil Spill impact sites
• Invasive Species (role in coastal land loss)

Receive:

• Wonders of Wetlands Teacher Guidebook  
• Numerous Classroom Resources
• Networking with Wetland Scientists  
• Up to 85 Professional Contact Hours
• Up to $2,375.00 of stipend funding   
• Up to $100.00 for classroom materials

Next Workshop
Dates:  July 10 – 15, 2011
Location:  LDWF Marine Research Lab, Grand Isle, LA
Application Deadline:  May 20, 2011
Number of Participants:  20 teachers
Registration fee:  $50.00
For more information contact, Angela Capello, (318) 748-6999 or acapello@wlf.la.gov