Sustainable Inquiry Research and Education Network (SIREN)

Sustainable Inquiry Research and Education Network (SIREN)

Summary

Emphasis during year one of the Sustainable Inquiry Research and Education Network (SIREN) was directed toward building the partnerships developed prior to the submission of the grant proposal and establishing a representative and diverse advisory group. A broad spectrum of producers, science and agricultural teachers, representative from another institution of higher learning, community sustainable group, contracted individuals and staff and faculty from the Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) comprised the group. This group was strongly engaged in developing and reassessing options to establish a model that educated teachers and students about sustainability and would engage producers in the process as it moved forward. The challenge existed to design a model which had flexibility for adoption in other areas of the country. The advisory group was committed to recruiting participants, putting effort forth to get both a science and agricultural teacher from each school. Program delivery was scheduled to begin as the program moved into the second year.

• SIREN Committee

Objectives/Performance Targets

In the last quarter 2009 and continuing through August of 2010 the advisory committee met approximately once a month. At these sessions faculty and staff facilitated developing a three year time line of program deliverables and marketing materials. The group struggled to determine research questions which could be done during a school year and the supplies and equipment teachers would need to conduct the research. Recruitment was difficult because school budgets were being cut drastically, pressure on teachers to meet academic standards with their students and limited staff development days allowed by administration became challenges. These obstacles forced “out of the box thinking” and a highly committed advisory group became creative in how the principles of sustainability could be taught in a more innovative way. The passion for sustainable education by this committee needs to be noted.

• Project Timeline
• Research Questions

Accomplishments/Milestones

As the planning year ended many challenges had successfully been addressed. The three year time-line was developed; however it is continuously being adapted to accommodate program delivery complexity. The marketing flier developed proved to be successful in explaining the value SIREN would have for classroom teacher staff development as well as for others. SWROC has an image for providing high quality K-12 education and thus was an effective benefit during the recruitment period. The composition of participating teams will be as follows: science and agricultural teachers (2 teams), charter school, higher educational institution, water shed professionals and a community team (Putting Green – working with individuals with disabilities). The last three teams will be working with multiple schools to integrate sustainable concepts into the curriculum as volunteers.

• Teacher Brochure
• Potential Teachers

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This report is covering only the planning year and therefore the impacts and outcomes are limited. As the program moves into the second year it can be expected: teachers and students will be working on authentic projects, interactive problem solving will be occurring, teachers will be using pedagogy to address academic standards through experiential experiences and teachers will understand strategies for developing scientific experiments. The second year report will state impact and outcomes expected to occur when the work actually begins with the program participants. At this time it can be acknowledged – the advisory board has been overwhelming committed.

Collaborators: