Posted on March 9, 2021 by Emily Gochis in Uncategorized

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum is soliciting applications from science teachers with the aim of selecting two teachers to work with the museum to develop engaging curricular materials that teachers can use to enhance student’s experience and learning outcomes associated with planned field trips to the museum. Teachers would collaborate together and work closely with museum staff and other experts during a two-week (10-day) period in June at the museum to develop a draft curriculum, provide a refined draft curriculum by the end of the summer, pilot the curriculum with associated field trips for students to the museum in the 2021-2022 academic year, and provide a follow-up assessment.

Compensation would be provided to the teachers for their effort. The museum will also supply reasonable travel costs and substitute teacher costs associated with planned field trips that are a part of the project.

Successful candidates should have experience teaching science to students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and/or 8 and expect to continue teaching in this grade range through the 2021-2022 school year; have a passion for offering active learning experiences to their students; have a demonstrable interest in minerals, mineral collecting, geology, earth science, environmental science, etc.; be willing to collaborate with another teacher on the project; commit to carrying out the components of the project from development through piloting and assessment; and have the support of their school’s principal. For this first phase of the program, we are limiting our solicitation to teachers from Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon Counties.

Applicants should submit a Google-form-based application available at https://forms.gle/4bSuYBgcVw97sRKR8. In addition, teachers should send a resume or curriculum vitae, and a letter of support from their school principal to the museum at the address above or by email to museum@mtu.edu. Questions may be directed to me by email, jaszczak@mtu.edu, or by calling me at (906) 487-2255. For full consideration, application materials should be received by April 30, 2021.

This project, “Minerals! A Gateway to a Love of Science,” will be funded through the generous support of the Catherine J. Gaber Endowed Fund for Education in Mineralogy, the John and Phyllis Seaman Endowment, and the Elizabeth Bekkala Endowed Memorial Fund.

For more information see this Project Flyer.