University Communications and Marketing

Elk River Writing Project co-sponsors Writing in Science Summer Intensive 

Graduate course focused on combining writing and science

University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

MSU BILLINGS NEWS — Twenty-five educators from across Montana participated in the Writing in Science Summer Intensive at Fairmont Hot Springs July 7-9.

The course was co-sponsored by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and the Elk River Writing Project at Montana State University Billings.

Educators work on their writing while at the Silver Bow Creek reclamation area.

The three-day, free institute provided Montana teachers with a community of learners, writers and practitioners in writing and science. Participants learned to use writing to connect themselves, their students and their communities while implementing the new Montana Content Standards for Science. Educators acquired new skills to support writing in the science content area while integrating Indian Education for All during instruction.

The course included a visit to the Berkeley Pit, discussion on the Silver Bow Creek cleanup and creating a “writing in science” passion project that will become a unit or lesson for participants’ classrooms.

Educators worked with James Rose, a hydrogeologist for the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and Rayelynn Brandl, director of Butte’s Clark Fork Watershed Education Program, during the field experiences.

The leadership team for the course included Lorrie Henrie-Koski, Christy Mock-Stutz, Michelle McCarthy, Christina Pavlovich, and Jennifer Stadum.

For more information, contact Tami Haaland, professor of English and director of the Elk River Writing Project, at thaaland@msubillings.edu.