Acid Rain Workshop for High School and Middle School Teachers

     During June of 2006, ten teachers were invited to participate in a National Science Foundation sponsored workshop on “Acid Rain and its Impact on Adirondack Ecosystems.” This three-day workshop was held June 26-29, 2006 in the Adirondack Mountains, just north of Old Forge.

     Four scientists (two biologists and two geologists) from Colgate and Alfred universities led the workshop. NSF covered the cost of lodging and food, and provided a $400 stipend to each workshop participant.

     Only certified high school or middle school teacher in New York State who teach a course in biology, earth science or environmental science were eligible. This was a small, intimate workshop with lots of hands on activities and attention paid to enhancing knowledge of the acid rain issue and the geology and the aquatic and terrestrial biology of the Adirondack Mountains.   We anticipate that the participants will be able to adapt some of the activities for use in classrooms.

Brief Summary of Activities for the summer 2006 workshop

Photo Gallery from the summer 2006 workshop

     For the 2007 Acid Rain workshop, we invited applications from High School and Middle School teachers employed in the following NYS counties: Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Fulton and St. Lawrence.

Brief Summary of Activities for the summer 2007 workshop

Acid Rain presentation at a local Teachers Association's annual dinner:

     On April 19, 2007, Dr. Matt Neatrour spoke to the Mohawk Valley Science Teachers Association at their annual Spring Dinner. He gave a presentation on the longterm effects of acid deposition in the Adirdondacks. His presentation included a historical perspective, legislative policy, and the future of the Adirondacks. He discussed the preliminary results from his research as well as the research conducted by Professors Rich April, Tim McCay, Michelle Hluchy, and Randy Fuller.

Mohawk Valley Science Teachers Association website