Boise State University has
received a $14,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable
Trust to fund a Wood River High School teacher to conduct
summer research in a partnership with biology professor Marc
Bechard.
Larry Barnes, a biology teacher
at Wood River High, will survey bird communities in shrub
steppe habitat at several Idaho locations. The surveys are
part of research efforts aimed at understanding the effect
range fires and other impacts have on bird populations.
Barnes will work with Greg
Kaltenecker, director of the Idaho Bird Observatory, on the
survey. The award also includes funds to attend two national
Partners in Science conferences where Barnes will share the
results of each summer’s research.
“Anytime I can do field
experience, it enriches what I teach in the classroom,” said
Barnes, who has taught high school science classes for eight
years.
The Boise State grant was
awarded through a competitive process in the Partners in
Science Program at the Murdock Trust. Applications are
accepted from high school teachers and mentors from a
five-state region to conduct summer research. The primary goal
of the program is to provide high school science teachers with
opportunities to work at the cutting edge of science, and to
thus revitalize their teaching and help them appreciate the
use of inquiry-based methods in the teaching of science. The
selection of awardees is based on the qualifications of the
partner members, the quality of scientific research and the
potential of its impact on the high school setting.
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Contact
Marc Bechard
Biology
426-3530
Media contact
Janelle Brown
communications and marketing
426-1790
