Open to educators watershed wide.

Explore two remote, remarkable regions of the Chesapeake Bay during this five-day, on-water investigation of fresh and saltwater ecosystems of the Rappahannock River and in the center of the Chesapeake Bay at Great Fox Island. This residential course will focus on natural history and ecology of beaches and marshes, underwater grass meadows, fisheries, iconic birds, oysters, and blue crabs. Teachers will collect and analyze water quality data to characterize the Bay’s health. Biodiversity, sustainability, and responsible management of natural resources will be discussed in the context of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This Virginia Commonwealth University marine ecology course (3 graduate credits optional) has been developed to support elementary, middle, and high school teachers to develop plans using the environment as a context for achieving academic learning goals with curriculum alignment in their own classrooms.

Length & Location: 5 days total; 2 days/2 nights at St. Margaret's School in Tappahannock, Virginia, and 3 days/2 nights at CBF's Fox Island Environmental Education Center.
Cost: $300
Credit: Upon successful completion of all course requirements, Maryland teachers are eligible for 3 MSDE Continuing Professional Development credits (MSDE/CPD Number 15-66-07), Virginia and Washington, D.C. teachers are eligible for documentation of 45 contact hours, Pennsylvania teachers are eligible for 50 Act 48 professional development hours. Graduate credit is available from Virginia Commonwealth University.

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