Alcoa Foundation Announces 14th Class of Teacher Scholars
Teachers will learn how to involve their students in studying
environmental topics at The Keystone Institute in Colorado
Ever wonder what teachers do when their students are on summer vacation?
For the 14th year, Alcoa Foundation is sponsoring 30 teachers
from 15 of its communities across the country to attend the nationally
accredited, teacher professional development Key Issues Institute in
Silverthorne, Colo., through a partnership with The Keystone Center.
The Foundation has doubled the number of participants this year,
enabling 15 more teachers to spend one week of their summer break
studying environmental issues in an outdoor classroom. The Institute
will be held in three, one-week sessions from June 21 to July 31. Since
1997, Alcoa Foundation has sent 175 teachers from 76 U.S. Alcoa
communities to the Key Issues Institute.
This year, the Alcoa communities represented include: Warrick and
LaPorte, Ind.; Davenport, Iowa; Dover, N.J.; Massena, N.Y.; Cleveland,
Ohio; Lancaster, Pa; Mt. Holly, S.C.; Morristown, and Knoxville, Tenn.;
Houston and Wichita Falls, Texas; Hampton, Va.; and Ferndale and
Wenatchee, Wash. Click here
for the names of the 30 teacher scholars for 2011.
'Teachers are the key to unlocking the curiosity in students around
science and the environmental,? said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa
Foundation. 'We′re proud to invest in their professional development and
to support them in training the next generation of environmental
ambassadors.?
Key Issues Institute provides middle school teachers with the skills and
confidence to study the environment with their students using an
interactive process. Teachers explore a local environmental topic in
Colorado as an example of how they can involve their students in an
investigation in their own community. This is done through classroom,
lab, and field activities, as well as simulations using the Key Issues
Curriculum Framework.
The interdisciplinary framework, which meets national education
standards, is designed to promote a collaborative approach to scientific
investigation and problem solving and build 21st century
learning skills.
Webcast Planned to Learn Program Elements
This year, a live
webcast of the Key Issues Institute will be held from July 27-30 for
teachers and members of the general public interested in learning about
the program, lessons and activities that can be implemented in the
classroom. The webcast will highlight portions of the institute as
teachers work through the curriculum. The webcast and schedule of events
will be located at www.keystone.org/education.
'Teachers take the framework back to the classroom and involve their
students to take on a local environmental issue with an unbiased,
inquiry-based approach,? said Anne Love, Program Director, Key Issues
Institute.
Teachers are given an opportunity to develop new professional networks,
share best practices, and begin thinking through the environmental
investigation they will implement with their students with support from
Key Issues staff. Teachers leave Key Issues Institute with curriculum
materials, lab equipment, and online support from staff and other
educators. Past participants at Key Issues Institute have addressed
diverse issues with their students including water and air quality,
wetland degradation, waste management, and recycling.
About Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is one of the
largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately
US$436 million. Founded more than 50 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has
invested more than US$530 million since 1952. In 2010, Alcoa Foundation
contributed nearly US$20 million to nonprofit organizations throughout
the world, focusing on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling
economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow′s leaders
through education and learning. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further
enhanced by Alcoa′s thousands of employee volunteers, who in 2010 gave
more than 720,000 service hours. Through the company′s signature Month
of Service (October) program, Alcoa employees share their energy,
passion and purpose to make a difference in our communities. In 2010, a
record 49 percent of Alcoans took part in nearly 1,000 Month of Service
events across 24 countries, reaching 59,000 children, serving 17,000
meals, planting 16,000 trees and supporting 3,000 nonprofit
organizations. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, please
access www.alcoa.com/foundation.
The Keystone Center
Headquartered in Keystone, Colorado, The
Keystone Center prepares leaders of today and tomorrow with the
intellectual and social skills they will need to resolve society′s most
challenging energy, health, environmental and resource problems. The
education programs attain this goal through the application of
scientific methods, the reconciliation of difference through
negotiation, and the development of critical thinking and collaborative
problem solving. Education programs provide direct experiences within
the context of local, national and global issues. Our success is
measured by the quality of our programs, the achievements and
effectiveness of our students and educators and our contributions to a
better society. More information at www.keystone.org.
Alcoa Foundation
Nacema Blake, 212-836-2825
Nacema.blake@alcoa.com