Earn While Learning About Forestry This Summer

     Applications are now available for the 2008 Oregon Teachers on Summer Assignment (ORTOSA) Program. ORTOSA is a forestry-based K-12 teacher education program now in its ninth year. In cooperation with Oregon's forestry community, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute offers ORTOSA as a six-week learn-as-you-work experience that provides educators with first-hand knowledge of Oregon's forests, forest management and forest products manufacturing. ORTOSA participants work 40 hours a week for six weeks from June 23–Aug. 1 and earn $3,000.
     There is a range of positions for work in water quality, forest inventory, manufacturing, habitat projects, wildlife monitoring and forestry research projects. Positions are available throughout Oregon.
     The ORTOSA program also includes two workshops that assist teachers in creating unit plans centering on their own summer experiences. Professional development and/or university credit is available. Please note that for the first time applicants are not required to have a letter of recommendation from their principal.

     The Temperate Forest Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2008 Pacific Northwest Teacher Forestry Tour, June 24 - 27. The tour is based out of Portland and includes two days of field experience in the woods at educational stops including state parks, learning centers, experimental forests and at forest products mills.
     The all-expenses-paid Pacific Northwest Teacher Forestry Tour highlights sustainable forestry practices and exposes teachers to the world of forestry and natural resources. More information and an application are available from the Temperate Forest Foundation. Or, email Lisa Leonard, forestry education manager.

     High school teachers are invited to apply for a special professional development opportunity known as “Teachers as Researchers.” Secondary teachers know how challenging it can be to engage students in science topics and to relate them to their own lives. Toward addressing this problem, the “Teachers as Researchers” program is being offered by the Oregon Natural Resource Education Program through the Oregon State University College of Forestry. The workshops will provide high school classroom teachers with an opportunity to explore the real-world experience of field research and to interact with scientists. The program also provides a forum for networking with other secondary teachers to address challenges, ideas and opportunities for bringing authentic science inquiry to the classroom.
     Participants will participate in a learning cohort that, over the course of three terms, will examine research studies at premier field-based research sites located throughout Oregon and Washington. This intensive learning experience is designed to provide teachers with new ways to approach research methods, science education and their own teaching practice.

Space is still available so if interested, submit an application today!

OFRI-Sponsored Instructional Video Recognized for Excellence

     An OFRI-sponsored instructional video recently won a first-place award from the Association of Communication Excellence.
     The Inquiry at Hinkle Creek DVD received highest honors in the script writing category by a panel of communication experts who evaluated programs on agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences. The experts gave the script a perfect score of 100 out of 100 points.
     Produced jointly by Jeff Hino at Oregon State University and OFRI’s K-12 program manager, Norie Dimeo-Ediger, Inquiry at Hinkle Creek traces the story of scientific research on paired watersheds now underway in forests near Roseburg. The 16-minute video for students in grades 5-12 is available free, either by itself or as part of the Teacher Packet, from the Facts and Resources section of the OFRI Web site.

     The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) in 1991 to improve public understanding of the state’s forest resources and to provide encouragement and training to forest landowners to help them understand and comply with changing forest protection laws using environmentally sound forestry. OFRI is funded by a portion of the harvest tax on forest products producers.
     For information about educational opportunities available to K-12 teachers and students from OFRI include, click below:

• Classroom programs and field activities for K-12 students
• Workshops for teachers
• Publications and scientific research on timely forest topics

Norie Dimeo-Ediger
K-12 Program Manager
971-673-2956
dimeo-ediger@ofri.com

Julie Woodward
Rediscovery Forest Education Specialist
503-584-7259
woodward@ofri.com

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