The TIMES Project has a ten-year record of success in helping teachers experience the “science” in earth science and bringing this experience to their teaching.  TIMES is an exciting opportunity for you to experience Minnesota geology first-hand, study the geology of your region, work with a variety of scientists who are experts in Minnesota geology and field research, bring local examples of geology to your classroom, and expand your own curriculum to incorporate more student-directed investigations and learning. 

Applications are not open for TIMES at this at this time. If funding becomes available, a new TIMES cohort will be started. 

Teachers participating in the TIMES Project will receive:

• training in regional earth science and field research

• time to design a field investigation for your students that matches your curriculum

• bus reimbursement for your school (if your field work with students is off-campus)

• lunch each day during the institute, and dinner (if we work late)

• four graduate semester credits

• $200 stipend, resource materials, and

• the chance to ride around in vans and talk about geology for two weeks!

Please note: 

• We are looking for earth science teachers who wish to grow professionally and are willing to experience and use inquiry approaches in their classroom.

• The project is designed to build content understanding and enthusiasm for earth science regardless of your background in geology. We are especially interested in applicants who are new to teaching earth science and have not had many college-level geology courses; but all levels of experience are invited to apply. The final group will be a mix of teaching experience.

• Teachers must attend both weeks of the institute in their entirety. Most days will finish at 5:00 pm, but two nights each week we may go as late as 8:00 pm.

• There will be two Saturday follow-up sessions – one in fall and one in spring. (Dates to be determined by the group.)

• Priority for acceptance is given to earth science teachers from the Metro region of Minnesota, but earth science teachers from any part of the state may apply.

• No housing is provided. Participants must commute to St. Thomas each day where vans will take us to field sites.

• All teachers must commit to conducting at least one field investigation with their students next school year. Limited bus reimbursement funds are available through the grant, or your field site can be on school grounds.

Instructors:  Dr. Kate Pound, Lee Schmitt and a host of geologists from the Minnesota Geological Survey

TIMES is a regionally-focused professional development program for secondary earth science teachers presented by Hamline University's School of Education through its Center for Global Environmental Education. Funds for this project were provided by a grant from the federal Improving Teacher Quality Program of the No Child Left Behind Act administered by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The project was financed by $44,000 in federal funds and $10,000 from nonfederal sources.

Learn about the other Teacher Professional Development opportunities at the Center for Global Environmental Education.

Related Links

• Master of Arts in Education: Natural Science and Environmental Education (MAEd: NSEE)

• Environmental Education Certificate