The Pinou Lab, in collaboration with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), and Danbury Public Schools is seeking applications for graduate students interested to pursue an MS degree with a focus on watershed stewardship beginning Spring 2023. The successful applicant will collect data on the impact of project-based learning (PBL) related to watershed stewardship on high school STEM academic achievement. We are particularly interested in motivated students with an interest in integrating land use ecology with citizen science and K-12 STEM education research. The project is part of a regional effort to improve local watersheds and the biodiversity they support, and part of an institutional effort to increase access to STEM education for urban youth. The graduate student selected will be responsible for attending PBL training with high school aquatic science teachers and assist in their implementation of classroom projects. The student will also be responsible for peer-mentoring of the Summer Watershed Steward Ambassador (SWSA) program to build community among interns and restore recreational space along the Still River watershed. Secondary education teachers and students interested in obtaining a MS in science education are encouraged to apply. Student support includes university assistantships, internal scholarships, and fellowships (internal and external). Interested students should contact Dr. Theodora Pinou at pinout@wcsu.edu and include a cover letter describing your research experience and interests, and a CV ASAP.
All interested students must hold a driver’s license and be accepted into the MS in Integrated Biological Diversity program (http://wcsu.edu/biology-msbiodiversity/how-to-apply/).
