BLACKSTONE VALLEY RIVERS PROJECT
SUMMER WORKSHOP
RIC, Integrated River Studies, PSCI 890C-80
(Formerly….Riverine Ecology, PSCI 581C)
WHERE AND WHEN WILL IT BE?
§ July 7 to 11, 2008 at Woonsocket High School, Woonsocket, RI and various sites on the Blackstone River
§ Workshop class hours 8 am to 4 pm
§ After hours, activities are available Monday though Thursday.
o Clam bake, canoe trip, Museum of Work and Culture, Interpretive bike tour on the Blackstone River Bikeway
§ Participants must attend at least 2 after hours activities to receive credits
WHAT IS IT?
§ In-depth professional development sessions
§ Direct hands-on experiences with water / stream / river study.
§ Activity sessions led by area teachers who have worked with Rivers Curriculum.
§ Opportunities to utilize latest scientific equipment
§ Sharing of ideas, materials, and strategies associated with science standards.
WHO SHOULD COME?
WHAT CONCEPTS / SKILLS / TOPICS ARE OFFERED?
The Rivers Curriculum is designed around six content units to be used by the teacher during a one-month period. Each unit is organized around field trips to the river and involves collecting river data. Training participants will select one of the following units for in-depth training. Participants will be cross-trained in all units.
Rivers Chemistry centers on the nine water-quality tests now being used for the Water Quality Index. The chemistry unit links water-quality test procedures to basic chemical principles students normally study in class.
Rivers Biology explores the diversity of life along any river. Aquatic plants and animals are part of the survey that monitors the river by observing changes in the types and numbers of organisms found by students. Benthic macroinvertebrates serve as the primary indicator of a river’s health.
Rivers Earth Science evaluates the physical features of a river system, which provides important clues to understanding the historical development of the local area. The unit offers students an introduction to river geology with hands-on activities.
Rivers Geography seeks to understand how the Earth’s surface is occupied and organized. This unit uses the Five Themes of Geography (location, place, movement, regions, and human-environment interactions) as its framework.
Rivers Language Arts consists of a set of tools for helping students research the rich cultural and historical heritage of river communities. Topics include interviewing techniques, oral history, courthouse research, technical writing, using newspapers, a political unit, a literature unit, and using the computer as a research tool.
Rivers Mathematics consists of a set of tools for helping prepare students to interpret and manipulate the data collected during river study. Topics include math readiness, equations and formulas, graphs and statistics. The graphing calculator is used as a tool that integrates mathematics and science.
WHAT WILL YOU RECEIVE?
APPLY EARLY!!! Only 30 openings available… People who applied too late were last year were turned away!!!
REGISTRATION
Send deposit, check, or purchase order to:
Mail to: Blackstone Valley Rivers Project
1 Pine Street
Manville, RI 02838
Email: mferry@wedmail.org
Phone: 401-765-2579