"The course was excellent.
It is one of the best re-certification
classes that I have attended" 
Methods of Field Biology | Salmon


GRADUATE COURSES | University of Wisconsin Green Bay

Citizen Science in the Classroom
​Engaging students in authentic scientific inquiry
Instructor: Julie Hein-Frank

"This course has been inspirational!
​Because of this course, I have started to implement several citizen science projects in my classroom:  CoCoRaHS, Journey North, and Celebrate Urban Birds. Next year I would like to add bat monitoring, Project BudBurst, and more bird monitoring!"


​course summary

This course provides opportunities for K-12 educators to learn methods of authentic scientific research through the implementation of Citizen Science projects as a model of scientific practice.  We will explore the history of Citizen Science and the various types of monitoring projects and organizations across disciplines; learn about and meet scientists that have developed projects that use citizen collected data to address resource management issues; and discuss communication methods, data collection and quality, and following protocols as components of implementing authentic research.
​

"I am excited by the potential
Citizen Science presents in regard
​to engaging students, helping them become knowledgeable lifelong learners, who are concerned about their community and environment."

Methods of Field Biology
​for Educators
Monarch Butterfly Ecology and Research
Instructor: Julie Hein-Frank



"Thank you again for another great class"

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the monarch butterfly, both the classroom experience and especially the field study. Capturing that first butterfly itself was a tremendous thrill, but it was just the first of many discoveries.

​" I want my own students to have a similar experience."



​course summary

​Monarch Butterfly Ecology and Research will provide content knowledge and practice in authentic
scientific inquiry through field investigations while exploring ways these experiences can be
translated into instructional practices.
​
We will explore population dynamics and the natural history of the species. We will participate in data collection, practice field method techniques on adult butterflies and larvae and design plant/organism
interaction studies. We will also consider the broader concepts of nectar resource availability and
the phenology of milkweed plants and the effects of a changing climate.

We will investigate current research, the cultural, social and economic issues that surround the
species and the status of the migration as an endangered biological phenomenon. We will discuss
how deepening the study of the monarch butterfly life history can translate into strengthened
opportunities for inquiry for both the participant’s professional growth and student understanding of
the practices of scientists through the processes of authentic scientific inquiry.

​​" I can’t think of a better way to learn about biology while doing authentic inquiry."

" We learned techniques of field study that were new to me. I had never worked specifically with butterflies. This was wonderful to get hands-on experience, catching, recording, and counting.  It’s just fun!"

Methods of Field Biology
​for Educators
Natural History and Biology of Lake Michigan Salmon
Instructor: Julie Hein-Frank


​"More courses like this are what we need!"

"I am energized!
And look forward to providing my students with more experiences using data analysis and communicating their results."


​course summary

​The study of salmon ecology will serve as a framework for a deeper understanding of general ecological principals, processes and inquiry. We will explore the natural history, biology and sport fishery of Chinook and Coho salmon species in Lake Michigan. We will learn what it is like to be a biologist today by participating in data collection and field method techniques on adult spawning salmon. With the guidance of fisheries biologists we will corral migrating salmon from the fish weir, sort, weigh and measure, collect eggs and milt, perform dissection, discuss fish health and more.
 
We will investigate current biological research and the cultural, social and economic issues that surround Chinook and Coho salmon of Lake Michigan. We will discuss how deepening the study of salmon life history can translate into strengthened opportunities for inquiry for both the participant’s professional growth and student understanding of the practices of scientists through the processes of authentic scientific inquiry.
​

" I thoroughly enjoyed the class and the people who shared it with me. I was exposed to new strategies that I will
apply to my physical, life and earth science classes."
​"Having courses like this that allow us to be "real" scientists in the field is so motivational"

A Few Courses in Development: 
Biomimicry
Winter Ecology 
The Art and Practice of Science Communication in the 21st Century Classroom
Visual Literacy and Visible Thinking | tools for the Science Classroom
Integrating Science and Literacy - motivating young readers while supporting science in the elementary grades.

Workshops and Field Study | offsite and in the classroom
 The below are sample sessions. Custom natural history workshops, special topics  and field study are available.
​Just ask.