Explore Alabama biodiversity through hands-on STEM investigations, outdoor inquiry, and place-based learning. AMSTI PD
Participants will engage in interdisciplinary STEM instructional strategies that use AL forests, waterways, biodiversity, and natural systems as outdoor labs for place-based learning. Using Southern Wonder: Alabama’s Surprising Biodiversity, live animal observations, field investigations, environmental data, concept mapping, reflective inquiry, and multimedia resources, educators will model strategies that support students in obtaining, evaluating, and communicating scientific information related to biodiversity, ecosystem services, Earth systems, sustainability, and human impact on the environment. Participants will apply instructional approaches that integrate ecology, Earth science, engineering, mathematics, literacy, and the arts through scientific reading, evidence-based writing, mathematical modeling, visual analysis, mapping, engineering design, and hands-on investigations. Teachers will explore how geography, geology, climate, natural resources, and environmental change influence biodiversity patterns, ecosystem resilience, and human welfare while engaging in investigations involving energy transfer, motion, erosion, water quality, ecological interactions, and habitat dynamics. Participants will model student-centered strategies including sensory immersion, observation, collaborative inquiry, data collection, species identification, environmental monitoring, and evidence-based discussion to support systems thinking and real-world problem solving. Activities will include ecosystem investigations, wildlife behavior analysis, environmental stewardship planning, and creative engineering experiences using natural materials to design habitat-inspired structures. Instructional practices will emphasize environmental literacy, conservation, sustainability, and outdoor inquiry while providing adaptable classroom lessons that foster critical thinking, scientific communication, creativity, and meaningful connections to Alabama’s landscapes and natural resources.
AMSTI TEAMS PowerSchool approved for 6 PD in Math and Science
PSPL Course # 345765 (Please choose appropriate section/location in the series)
SC23.ES.EHA.NR; SC23.ES.4; SC23.ES.6; SC23.ES.7; SC23.ES.8; SC23.ES.9; SC23.ES.13; SC23.6.1; SC23.6.3; SC23.6.5c; SC23.6.7; SC23.6.11; SC23.6.11a; SC23.7.6; SC23.7.8; SC23.7.9; SC23.7.10; SC23.7.11; SC23.K.6; SC23.BIO.7; SC23.BIO.8; SC23.BIO.9; SC23.BIO.9a; SC23.BIO.10; SC23.BIO.15; SC23.PHYS.3; SC23.AAS.BIO; MA19.AAS.7.DA.A; MA19.AAS.7.DA.B; MA19.MM.CF.A; MA19.MM.SS.A; MA19.GDA.38; MA19.GDA.GM.4.A; MA19.MM.DD.A; CTE20.AFN.FWM; CTE20.AFN.EM; CTE20.AFN.AB. & MORE.