From the Director: ECOS and the NSF GK-12 Program

In January 2004, five schools in the Missoula Curriculum Consortium joined hands with University of Montana scientist partners to create outdoor laboratories for learning about the environment. As the first year of the UM "Ecologists in Residence" GK-12 Program draws to a close, we are already planning for our new cohort of fellows and schools. This UM ECOS partnership has been made possible by generous funding from the National Science Foundation's G RADUATE TEACHING FELLOWS IN K-12 EDUCATION (GK-12) Program. What is the GK-12 program? According to the NSF, the mission of the program is to "invest in people, programs, and research to prepare tomorrow's leaders in science and engineering." This terrific program supports fellowships and associated training that enable graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines to acquire additional skills that will broadly prepare them for professional and scientific careers in the 21 st century. Through their participation in a GK-12 program, Fellows improve their commun-ication and teaching skills while, at the same time, enriching science, technology and engineering and mathematics instruction in K-12 schools. Expected outcomes include improved communication, teaching and team building skills for the Fellows; professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers; enriched learning for K-12 students ; and strengthened partnerships between institutions of higher education and local school districts . Currently, the NSF is funding nearly 120 programs across the USA. You can learn more about the current NSF GK-12 programs by linking here

By all accounts, this first year has been a tremendous success! We have fostered the creation of new outdoor research laboratories at all of our partner schools, developed dozens of ecology lessons to use these outdoor laboratories for guided and independent explorations, and set in motion plans to sustain their development and use in to the future. Congratulations to all the ECOS fellows, teachers, and students for your enthusiasm and hard work this year!!

Carol Brewer, ECOS Director