Six teachers from Texas, Arizona, and Washington, D.C., will gather in Arizona in Summer 2022 to join the MUSICA project's scientific research team for a combined field geology program and workshop. Together the scientists and educators will compare Earth processes responsible for the Rocky Mountains and episodes of widespread, devastating volcanism in the western United States with similar processes occurring today at an active plate boundary zone in Colombia, South America.  

The international MUSICA science team combines their expertise in seismology, geochemistry/geochronology, basin analysis, structure, tectonics, thermochronology, and geodynamics to study the unique tectonic setting of Colombia to gain a better understanding of how the Colombian Andes formed and continental evolution in general.

 MUSICA is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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The MUSICA WORKSHOP will take place in Arizona on June 27 – July 2, 2022. June 27 and July 2 are travel days.
             
Before the Arizona workshop, teachers will participate in four one-hour virtual meetings to prepare for the summer field program and workshop: March 22, March 29, and April 26, at 8-9pm EDT (7-8 PM CDT, 5-6 PDT/AZ). (Times may change depending upon team members selected.) The fourth meeting (also the pre-field meeting) will be held at 8-9pm EDT on June 21st, 2022.  

During the school year following the workshop, teachers and scientists will participate in virtual meetings every other month.

Teachers will use what they learned during the workshop to create a series of four standards-aligned lesson plans related to the MUSICA project during the subsequent school year, with support from the MUSICA team.  Teachers will implement the lessons they create in their classrooms. Teachers will present these lessons and results of classroom implementation at a national or regional geoscience convention (additional details below).


ELIGIBILITY

 1. Current science (or STEM) teacher at a public or public charter school in Washington, DC; Arizona; or
     Texas.
 2. Intend to continue teaching science at a public or public charter middle or high school in DC, AZ, or TX, for the
     next two to three years.


DISSEMINATION, COMPENSATION AND RECOGNITION
             
Lessons will be reviewed, categorized, and uploaded to our website (https://musica.carnegiescience.edu/en). Ultimately, throughout the U.S. and globally, teachers, educators, and others will be able to access and use the web-based lesson plans in subsequent years.

USA Secondary Science public school teachers will receive a stipend for completion of all components. A teacher successfully completing each component (except the summer component) would receive $500 stipend. For successful completion of the summer component, each teacher would receive a $1000 stipend. Stipends will be distributed quarterly.

Participating teachers will be recognized as MUSICA Outreach Teachers on our website, in social media, and in print or digital communications.

Upon completing all project components, including the lesson plans, teachers will attend at least one national or regional geoscience or education conference to deliver a presentation on the MUSICA project and the educational products. Examples include the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA), NAGT's Earth Educators Rendezvous (summer), NSTA National Conference (spring), or a regional meetings of NSTA (fall) or sectional GSA meetings (spring). MUSICA will cover the cost of participating in this memorable "recognition" experience.


EXPECTED OUTCOMES        

Teachers will
           1. Experience field and lab geoscience research techniques with scientists and fellow educators from
               different states and countries.
           2. Develop a deeper understanding of Earth Science.
           3. Learn how to access and use scientific data and education research results to improve
                practice and student learning.
           4. Appreciate the contribution of geoscientists to understanding our planet.
           5. Increase awareness about the spectrum of Earth Science-related careers.
           6. Learn from and share information and experiences with colleagues and scientists.


Outreach efforts are coordinated by the Carnegie Academy for Science Education at Carnegie Science in Washington, DC. For additional information, contact: case@carnegiescience.edu.  

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APPLICATION DEADLINE (EXTENDED: Tuesday, February 15, at 5pm EST)

Application Requirements:
- Complete this online form
- Email the following four documents to case@carnegiescience.edu by 5pm EST, February 15, 2022.  Please include in the subject line "Teacher Externship -- your last name, your first name"
   1) Resume (no more than 2 pages; include any science leadership experience as a separate section)
   2) Personal Statement (no more than 2 pages)
         -> Why are you interested in participating in this externship?
         -> How might you incorporate these experiences into your classroom teaching?
   3) Letter of Support from a member of your school's administration
   4) Letter of Support from a colleague (educator)

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SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

Teachers will be contacted and possibly interviewed following application submission. Selected teachers will be notified by or before March 4, 2022. (Note: Only two teachers will be selected from each region.)
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