The Environmental Health Sciences Rural Schools Initiative presents:

Off the beaten track:
Real World learning for rural students

A special workshop for RURAL SCHOOL EDUCATORS:

Please join us for the very first Rural Schools Initiative (RSI) designed specifically to address unique challenges faced by rural educators. This year’s RSI will focus on novel, low cost field experience venues that are available in rural areas and can provide high quality, inquiry based, “real-world” learning for students.

We will be your guide to rural Central Texas field experiences that provide true and exciting learning experience for you and your students. This RSI workshop will include innovative ideas and integrated activity plans for field experiences that are correlated to the TEKS/TAKS and can be implemented at your school. Activity and lesson plans can be adjusted to your specific rural area!

RSI workshop attendees will board an air conditioned coach and visit a water treatment and sewer treatment plant, a wetlands educational center and a landfill/recycling plant. There is no cost to participants - RSI will provide all entry fees, bus transportation and sandwich lunch.

Step right up, grab your seat, and let us take you on a unique and useful outside learning adventure!

Schedule of Events for Friday, July 25, 2008

Registration

You must have completed your registration for the Environmental Health Sciences Summer Institute to register for the Rural Schools Initiative.

If you have completed your registration, and wish to register for the RSI, please click here for Registration.

For more information about the Environmental Health Sciences Summer Institute, please click here.

What to bring: Good walking shoes, comfortable loose clothing and a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for protection from the sub. Lunch will be provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to attend RSI?

RSI is open to any educator who attends the EHS Summer Institute and teaches in a school defined as Rural by census MSA data (for more information, see NCES data tools.)

Will my travel grant be extended to cover the night before RSI (Thursday night)?

Yes, the travel grants will include a room (double occupancy) at the Doubletree (or your choice of hotel) for the night before RSI. Reimbursements will be made under the same terms and conditions as normal Summer Institute travel grants, and all receipts for reimbursement must be submitted to conference staff. Please be aware that hotel accomodations are provided only for the night before the workshops you attend.