Courses & Workshops

Resources for Teachers

Courses and Workshops
We offer several professional development opportunities for teachers, ranging from 1-2 hour workshops in districts to intensive two week courses for graduate credit. All of these are taught by teams of scientists and classroom teachers.

Two-Week Summer Course
District Workshops
Monarch Monitoring/Field Research Program

Two-Week Summer Courses 2003

Monarchs and More: Insect Ecology for Upper Elementary and Middle School Teachers
July 20-25 at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro MN (staying overnight) and August 11-15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Minnesota. The class consists of two separate weeks, with time spent rearing insects and preparing materials in the interim; all participants must attend BOTH weeks. Interim work requires a time commitment, and participants should plan to be home for at least two weeks between the two in-class weeks.
Course announcement and application form

Monarchs and More: Insect Ecology for Elementary Teachers
July 14-18 and August 11-15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The class consists of two separate weeks, with time spent rearing insects and preparing materials in the interim; all participants must attend BOTH weeks. Interim work requires a time commitment, and participants plan to be home for at least a week between the two in-class weeks.
Course announcement and application form

Funds for this project are provided by a grant from the federal Improving Teacher Quality Program administered by the Minnesota Higher Education Services Offices and Monarchs in the Classroom. All participant costs, including a $200 stipend and 3 graduate credits, are covered.

To apply, download the applications and course announcement. Applications for both courses are due April 16. Contact Karen Oberhauser oberh001@tc.umn.edu with questions.

District Workshops and Residencies

Monarchs in the Classroom conducts on-site workshops for 10 or more teachers. These workshops range in length from 1.5 to 7 hours, and cost approximately $100 per hour plus travel. They cover basic monarch rearing techniques and successful classroom lessons. Districts receive discounts on classroom materials and larvae for teachers who attend these workshops.

For information on organizing a workshop in your district, contact Karen Oberhauser at oberh001@tc.umn.edu.check out more Research Opportunities

Monarch Monitoring/Field Research Program

Project Summary:
The Monarch Monitoring/Field Research Program (1997-2000) provided an opportunity for Middle and High School teachers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas to immerse themselves and two students in an exciting monarch butterfly research project. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, was designed to:

provide hands-on research experience;
develop collegial partnerships among students, teachers and scientists;
promote active research in classroom teaching; and
provide data and direction for ongoing research and conservation efforts.


Harlen Aschen (field site host) with Michelle Solensky (scientist/ research mentor)	Carol Johnson (TX teacher) observing monarchs	Andy Hoffarth (HS student) and Sonia Altizer (scientist/ research mentor) observing monarch nectar source

For samples of the research projects conducted by teacher/student teams who participated in this project, see the research projects section.We are in the process of designing similar courses in Texas and Minnesota for 2002. Check back here for more information! 1999-2000 Monarchs in the Classroom - University of Minnesota
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