Transforming the graduate school experience through the Montana GK-12 “Ecologists in Residence” program

To meet the need for enhanced understanding of environmental sciences in the Northern Rockies, the Ecologists, Educators and Schools (ECOS) Program promotes teaching practices focused on “learning by doing” and inquiry instruction for both teachers and University of Montana graduate student fellows. Through their participation in ECOS fellows transform the way teachers and their students look at schoolyards, changing the perception from playground to ecological laboratory. At the same time, the fellows experience transformations as well. Through assessment and reflection activities, fellows reported significant learning directly related to the project's major goals including an improved ability to communicate about science with non-scientific audiences; an increased awareness of how much science even elementary school children are able to do; an increased familiarity with the challenges and issues faced by schools; and stronger commitments to staying involved in science education and school outreach. All of the fellows said they gained experience and confidence in communicating about science to non-scientists, and that this had even improved their approach to their own research. Even those who said they already had significant skills in this area felt they had gained an even greater breadth of expertise. And nearly all said they felt more confident and competent to continue a professional relationship with K-12 educators. Participating fellows said they expected to be more effective in any outreach efforts they pursued because of their ECOS experience. ECOS is well on its way to having a lasting impact on the University, the local school system, and its surrounding community and in meeting its chief objective: when it comes to learning about ecology, ecologists need to make sure no child is left indoors.