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9/23/24

NYS Master Teachers: STEM at SUNY Cortland's Raquette Lake

Master Teachers used advanced telescopes to explore celestial bodies.

NYS Master Teachers from around the state returned to the SUNY Cortland Outdoor Education Center at Raquette Lake this summer to immerse themselves in three days of learning with NYS Master Teacher Program Regional Director for Central New York, Betsey Schuhle. The series of professional learning opportunities in the Adirondacks featured distinguished professors from SUNY Cortland, focusing on the advancement of STEM knowledge that Master Teachers can bring back to their K-12 classrooms.

Master Teachers explored the waterways with SUNY Cortland Distinguished Service Professor Dr. Beth Klein, during a biology kayaking excursion, discovered the geological marvels at the Barnett Garnet Mine with SUNY Cortland Distinguished Teaching Professor Dr. Robert Darling, and delved into the wonders of the night sky with SUNY Cortland Lecturer and Planetarium Director, Sean Nolan, and Instructional Support Technician, Zachary Eridani, through expert-guided stargazing. Cooperative and leadership skills were strengthened through ropes course activities. Master Teachers explored the beauty of the Adirondacks including wildlife marshes with renowned guide Ed Kanze.

Hear from the Master Teachers:

Master Teachers hike through the Adirondacks, blending learning about ecology with the region's rich history to inspire hands-on learning for their science classrooms.

“The best part about this experience was the connections I made with other NYS Master Teachers. It was especially helpful and motivating to meet teachers from other regions than my own and I now have multiple resources to keep in contact with for many learning opportunities. I grew as a person by participating in the ropes course, [...] I will use the team building activities in my classroom, and some techniques and knowledge gained from spending time with Ed Kanze on our nature walk. What a wonderful experience that ALL Master Teachers should partake in!”
- Jillian Kellogg, Chenango Forks Central School District Kindergarten Master Teacher

“There are 3 primary areas that stand out for me, from this experience:

1. The star-gazing and telescope work presented by Sean Nolan & Zach Eridani offered excellent insight for me and my ESS classes.  Though there were some clouds passing through, the conversation led to a discussion of the lab work his college students do and how this compares to the new ESS Investigations.  The conversation was engaging and we would like to collaborate more in the future.
2. Hiking with Ed Kanze is always educational: I could listen to him for days!  His knowledge of the local flora & fauna is impressive but also, the historical context brings an added dimension to the learning.
3. Combining Ed's information with the displays at the Adirondack Museum will add new flavor to my Environmental Science classes.”

Master Teachers explore a marsh ecosystem, gaining insights to enhance their environmental science lessons.

- Frederick Kowanes, Central Square CSD Earth Science and Environmental Science Master Teacher

“This experience is so invaluable. The opportunity to be with other educators to talk about content and students is beyond helpful and meaningful. It is a way to build my peer circle and have time to talk about struggles and successes from the previous year and about thoughts and ideas for the upcoming year.”
- Melissa Walls, Syracuse City SD Earth Science and Physics Master Teacher