MCLA, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA.

"What prepared me at MCLA for my internship at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and graduate school was the rigor of my physics classes. I would credit Dr. Adrienne Wootters in particular with teaching us to work hard and she was always willing to make time to work on problems with us when we couldn’t get them."

Kristy Moore ’05
Graduate Student, University of Rhode Island

UHRVE

Upper Housatonic River Valley Experience
An Overview of the Historical, Industrial, Cultural and Environmental Influences of the Region

This is a three (3) Credit Graduate Course offered through the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Sponsored by the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area , Inc. in cooperation with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce , Berkshire Community College , Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board

July 7-11, 2008, 8am to 5pm held at sites throughout the heritage region.

To sign up contact STEM Coordinator Lisa Provencher at <Lisa.provencher@mcla.edu>, or call (413) 662-5525

This course is intended for middle/high school teachers of history, social studies, English, science and industrial technology, this interdisciplinary, team-taught course provides a contextual experience that will integrate these core subjects by introducing information about the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area. History, business, and environmental experts will weave their content and perspective through a series of mini-lectures, hand-on activities and guided field trip experiences.

Stipends will be provided to participants who complete the course. The stipend will cover course tuition, fees, supplies and materials.
Enrollment is capped at 16 participants so be sure to register early.
Deadline for registration is June 6th

For more information or program questions, please contact Julie Hannum at 413.236.2180 or
<JHANNUM@berkshirecc.edu>

painted turtle

Participants will review their current curricula and develop standards-based lessons related to the Upper Housatonic Valley content that integrate contextual applications and motivational strategies including those that address gender differences and learning styles. School-based and content-based teams will develop written lesson plans suitable for dissemination. Each team is expected to present their projects to the class and a wider audience during the Fall 2008 semester – the date to be determined by the class.

UPPER HOUSATONIC RIVER VALLEY EXPERIENCE COURSE

The Upper Housatonic Valley is a unique cultural and geographical region that encompasses 29 towns in the Housatonic River watershed, extending 60 miles from Lanesboro, Massachusetts to Kent, Connecticut. The valley has made significant national contributions through literary, artistic, musical, and architectural achievements; as the backdrop for important Revolutionary War era events; as the cradle of the iron, paper, and electrical industries; and as home to key figures and events in the abolitionist and civil rights movements. It includes five National Historic Landmarks and four National Natural Landmarks. The area has already developed many significant heritage activities including an Iron Heritage Trail brochure, a graduate course for local teachers on the area, and a summer art event."