Learning About Where We Live
The National Science Foundation’s Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) Program connects universities with local schools. With NSF funding from 2004-2011, OIMB’s GK-12 program brought a marine science curriculum to kindergarten through sixth grade students along the southern Oregon coast.
- The students benefited from hands-on science learning and interactions with university student role models.
- OIMB’s GK-12 graduate fellows improved their teaching and communication skills and gained an understanding of the K-12 education system.
- Classroom teachers received professional development in and out of the classroom, and gained experience with inquiry-rich science lessons.
- OIMB and the participating school districts gained from strengthened partnerships.
The GK12 legacy goes on as teachers continue to utilize the GK12 curriculum to engage their students in active, inquiry-based coastal explorations.
Gaining an Appreciation of Our Coastal Backyard
OIMB’s GK12:
Program Instructors: Dr. Jan Hodder, Dr. Alan Shanks
Project Coordinator: Trish Mace
- 31 Graduate Fellows, 5 Undergraduate Fellows
- Marine Science Curricula for K-6
- Classroom Inquiry in 5 School Districts (Reedsport, North Bend, Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford/Langlois)
- Field Explorations
- Student Research Projects
- Teacher Profesional Development
- Summer Workshops
- Community Partnerships