What is an Instar? Do you know? An Instar is the larval phase of a crustacean. Project INSTAR, Investigating Nature through Science Teacher Active Research, has successfully completed 10 years of providing teachers with hands-on training, field experiences, and state-of-the-art computer technology related to earth systems science. The Institute, developed by a team of scientists and educators, began in 1998 at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. Since then, it has expanded to North Carolina and plans to conduct workshops in several other locations across the U.S. The Institute provides an innovative approach to teacher professional development by exposing teachers to real marine science research led by university scientists. Teachers work with scientists to bring cutting-edge marine science research and technology back to their students.
Institute Format
The Institute follows two different formats:
- 8-day (local; non-residential)
- 6-day (regional/state; residential)
The Institute focuses on developing earth systems science research projects and pedagogical tools (lesson plans, posters, and PowerPoint presentations) that can be implemented back into the classroom. Teachers participate in one of a variety of themes that include groups of 10-15 teachers per theme. Examples of the theme topics include coral reefs, natural coastal environments, hydrology or earth systems, marine animals, tropical meteorology, barrier islands, and marine micro-organisms (some themes are not offered every year). Themes are taught by a team of scientists, graduate students and experienced teachers from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA/AOML), and the local school systems.
