Scholars Academy Contact Information Website: www.uhd.edu/scholars Email: scholars@uhd.edu Phone: 713-222-5344 Address: UHD Scholars Academy One Main Street, Suite 725-North Houston, TX 77002-1001 NOAA Lead Awardee Name: University of Houston-Downtown One Main St., Houston, Texas77002 Technical Contacts:Dr. Mary J o Parker, PI & Scholars Academy Dir. Contact Phones: Voice:713-221-8471 Fax:713-223-7410 Email: parkerm@uhd.edu Administrative Contact: Rene Garcia, Scholars Academy Program Mgr. Contact Phones: Voice:713-222-5344 Fax: 713223-7410 scholars@uhd.edu Watershed Wonder: EnvironmentalSummer Research Camp 2014-15 NOAA B-WET Grant Program The UHD Scholars Academy (SA) is an academically competitive program in the College of Science and Technology (CST) that promotes scholarship and student suc-cess for UHD undergraduate students ma-joring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).A major part of our mission is to increase the number of academically capable students graduating with degrees in the STEM fields, and to increase the number of those choosing to further pursue graduate and professional degrees.This competitive program is made possible by The Brown Foundation, Inc., National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Army Research Of-fice, U.S. Department of Education, Welch Foundation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission., NOAA, and UHD Donors. Summer Research and UHD Camp Scholarship Recipients Consideration to receive this scholarshiprequiressubmission of: A Completed ApplicationSigned Parental Acknowledgement/Permission Form All applicationsDUE by: For TeachersNov, 3 , 2014 For Studnets February 13, 2015

University of Houston-Downtown Nov. 14, 20144:00-6:00pm Nov. 15, 2014 9:00am-1:00pm (Fall WorkshopTeachers Only) July 6July 10, 2015(Summer Camp-Teachers/Students) 10th, 11th, 12th and Pre-College 12th Interests in Environmental Science, Geosciences, Biolo-gy, Chemistry, Microbiology, MathematicsProblem-based Learning Laboratory/Field Research Experiences Field Trips Expert Brown Bag Lunch Seminars In order to be accepted into the Scholars Academy, the student should meet the following requirements: Minimum unweighted overall 3.0 GPA(on a 4.0 scale) Minimum score of 500 on SAT mathand verbal exam sections Credit for at least Pre-Calculus in highschool preferred Be accepted and enrolled at UHD asa full-time student and a member of theScholars Academy Declare a STEM major Be a U.S. citizen or permanent residentif you are seeking scholarship support(a limited number of scholarships areavailable for non-U.S. citizens/residents) Complete the FAFSA and UHD FinancialAid forms (visit www.uhd.edu/financial_aid) Early acceptance to UHD could qualify for Distin-guished Merit 4-year guaranteed scholarships Scholars Academy Post-High School Scholarship Requirements This research project provides the foundation for student/teacher/PhD scientist teams to investigate through research in environmental sciences.The project will also en-courage environmental stewardship central to sustainability of urban and suburban environs.Watershed Wonders brings together participants with environmental datasets, which can be used by schools studying watershed mitigation of wetlands that surround major urban areas in the southern gulf coast areas of the U.S.Watershed Wonders provides an opportunity for students entering careers in atmospheric sciences, geosci-ences, applied chemistry, biology/microbiology, and en-vironmental sciences through exposure to watershedstewardship.Fieldresearch will take place within the San J acinto Riv-er, Harris County water-sheds, and the Houston bayou systems. The Watershed Project UHD is Houstons Downtown University. UHD is a public uni-versity serving 14,000 students and offering a variety of over 44 bachelors and masters degrees. With dedicated faculty, small classes and innovative course options, UHD offers excellent educational and career opportunities. UHD prepares individuals to thrive in the multicultural workplace of the 21st century throughinteraction with its richly diverse student population.About UHD NOAAWatershed Wonder:Environmental CampPurpose and Goals Projects Purpose The overarching question is to measure the effect of the Watershed Wonder program (offer meaningful watershed educational hands-on experiences for stu-dents, related professional development for teachers) in impacting attitudes andactions of participants. Project Goals 1) change in attitudes built from first-hand experience, especially in ones community and culture, is critical to achieving environmental stewardship;2) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be offered as multiple focal points through first hand, carefully selected environmental learning expe-riences; and 3) environmental experiences centered around questions, problems, and issues investigated through pre-post attitude surveys, field data collection, observation, and hands-on activities stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving skill development, and sup-port student achievement, efficacy in teacherpedagogy, and motivation to enter STEM collegeprograms. What Will You Do AtWatershed Wonders Camp? Students:You will get to assist PhD Professors in their areas of research targeted by this project including environmental science, microbiology, and environmental/sensor chemistry with urban watershed health impacting ocean health as targets.You will learn to collect field data and translate that in a lab setting, there-by better understanding how important watershed health is to urban and suburban communities.You will learn to use NOAA and USGS datasets as controls to real-time field data collections. You will also learn how to collect real-time data.You will meet new people, learn to work in research teams, research skill, and presentation skills. Teachers:You will be trained and assisted in development of curricu-lum lessons targeting wetlands near your community, usingVernier probeware for real-time data collec-tion, and using NOAA and USGS datasets as instructional tools to deep learning and student under-standing of environmental knowledge, skills, attitudes, and actions leading to stewardship of the environment.All:Both teachers and students will hear from watershed re-search and industry experts in the Houston area through seminar presentations and field trips!Some examples of research areas include: diatom diversity between mitiga-tion and natural wetlands, succession trajec-tory of wetland microbial communities, and wetland soil and water chemistry. Teachers and Students:receive summer STIPENDS for selection and completion of the NOAA Year 2 Camp.Certificates of Attendance are also provided. Post-Camp Tuition Scholarship Opportunities Summer Watershed Wonder Environmental Campcompleters that are May/J une 2015 high school graduates may be eligible for a Watershed Wonder tuitionscholarship if entering UHD and the Scholars Academy. Publications, Videos, andAcknowledgment of Sponsorship The brochure was prepared by UHD/SA under an award from NOAA B-WET to the University of Houston-Downtown. The state-ments, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Univer-sity of Houston-Downtown or NOAA. Teacher Application Deadline:November 3, 2014 Student Application Deadline:February 13, 2015 Teacher Eligibility criteria: 1.Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident2.Be a current high school teacher in any STEM course 3.Obtain a principal signature supporting your commitment to participation, if selected, to this fall and summer Watershed Wonder program and to obtaining campus-owned curricula for use after the summer camp 4.Submit a completed application by the teacher deadline 5.Be available for the day sessions inNov. 14th (4:00-6:00) and Nov. 15th (9:00-1:00) 2014; the camp periods in J uly (J uly 6-10, 2015) to be held at the UHD campus Student Eligibility criteria: 1.Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident2.Be a current 10-12th grade high school student with at least a 3.0 gpa and be enrolled for at least one STEM course 3.Submit your latest report card 4.Obtain a parent/legal guardian signature supporting your commitment to participation, if selected and all Informed Consent forms.5.Submit a completed application by the student deadline with parental/guardian approval included 6.Be available for the camp period in J uly (J uly 6-10, 2015) to be held at the UHD campus as indicated on this application 1.Camp date:_____J uly 6-102.Student/Teacher ISD___________________ 3. Campus Name____________________ 4.Full Name____________________________________________________________________________________________ (Last)(First)(Middle)(Maiden) (Suffix J r., etc.) 5.Gender_______ 6. Nationality__________________ 7. U.S. Citizen? YesNo If no, Permanent Resident? YesNo 8.Ethnicity?Hispanic or Latino Non-Hispanic and Non-Latino 9.Race?American Indian Alaska Native Asian Black or African-AmericanNative Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White/Caucausian Other 10. Address_________________________________________________Apt. #_________City____________________________ State________Zip_____________Home Phone________________________ Cell Phone_____________________________ 11. Preferred Email Address___________________________________________________ 12.HS GPA___________ 13.If Teacher:Current STEM subject/s taught/Grade Levels_______________________________________________________ 14.If Student:Plans after HS graduation? _____________________________________________________________________ 15.If Teacher:Principal Signature_______________________________________________HS/ISD_______________________ 16. If Student:Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________________/_________________________________ Print Name Signature Gives permission for son/daughter ______________________________________ to participate in the UHD WatershedPrint Name Wonders Summer Camp project held at the University of Houston Downtown.I also give permission for photographs to be taken as long as no student identifying name/s or personal information is associated with the photograph/s and used only for the purposes of project reports/dissemination. Watershed Wonder Summer Camp Application The UHD Scholars Academy (SA) is an academically competitive programin the College of Sciences and Technology (CST) that promotes scholarshipand student success for undergraduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Funded by the NOAA Award NA13NMF4630053 One Main Street, 725-North; Houston TX 77002-1001 Phone: 713-222-5344; Fax: 713-222-5356;scholars@uhd.edu;www.uhd.edu/scholars UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Letter of Informed Consent Adult-Teacher Dear UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Adult Participants: I amDr. Mary J o Parker, Scholars Academy Director and Natural Sciences Faculty member at the UHD College of Sciences and Technology. I amconducting a research study to examine the impact of summer research teams investigating Houston area watersheds through Watershed Wonder Environmental Day Camp experiences. The goals of this camp are: 1) change in attitudes built fromfirst-hand experience, especially in one's community and culture, is critical to achieving environmental stewardship; 2) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be offered as multiple focal points through first hand, carefully selected environmental learning experiences; and 3) environmental experiences centered around questions, problems, and issues investigated through pre-post attitude surveys, field data collection, observation, and hands-on activities stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving skill development, and support student achievement, efficacy in teacher pedagogy, and motivation to enter STEM college programs. I amrequesting for your voluntary participation in the UHD/SA Watershed Wonder Environmental Camp study, which will involve 1) application and acceptance in the Summer Program, 2) informed consent to voluntarily participate in the one-week onsite experience at UHD (along with Adult Consent form), and 3) providing voluntarily the application documents to project administrators prior to acceptance into the program. All background information collected through the application will only be used in an aggregated form, meaning no individual information will be released for presentation/publication purposes and only group information averages without names will be used. Participation in this day camp summer research experience is voluntary. Your total time commitment involved in this research will include for teacher participants 1 to 2- day meetings in the fall and one full week in the summer. If selected, voluntary participation in this study will be supported with stipends. For teachers the summer stipend will be $500 for the one-week day camp.Lunches are provided for all participants during the summer research week, and fieldtrip travel, and expert seminars are provided.You will participate in field studies in and around the Houston area bayous where you will collect soil, water, and microbial samples for analysis in the UHD labs.You will work with UHD Vernier probeware and sensors in the collection of these samples as methodology to address the health of the watersheds in this area.You will also work with national datasets supplied by NOAA and the USGS as they apply to watersheds and non-point sources of pollution to Galveston Bay.You will also participate, under facilitated instruction, in developing curriculumusing the various datasets that will be taken back to your campus for enhancement of your classroomand learning strategies.You are under no obligation to participate in this study or to receive the summer programbenefits connected with this study. Agreement to participate in the Watershed Wonder Environmental Camp summer programrequires: 1) you be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 2) be a current 10-l2thgrade high school teacher, and 3) a signature fromyour principal is needed demonstrating campus commitment to your participation and continued work with wetlands as part of your instructional discipline. Only participants with completed applications will be selected for the summer program. If you have any questions concerning the research study, please call Dr. Mary J o Parker, SA Director (713) 221-8471. Sincerely, Dr. Mary J o Parker, Principal Investigator Scholars Academy Director/Natural Science Faculty University of Houston Downtown College of Science and Technology UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014 Adult Letter of Consent Return with Application I give my consent for myself ____________________________________(your name) to participate in the above study.I understand that pictures or statements associated with this research may be taken and I give my release for use of such images or statements for this project. Adult Name (Print) Signature Date Any questions regarding your rights as a research subject may be addressed to the UHD Committee on Standards for Research Involving Human Subjects through its current chair, Dr. Kristin Anderson at 713-223-7937 or at johnsonru@uhd.edu.All research projects that are carried out at the University of Houston Downtown are governed by requirements of the University and the Federal Government. UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-5 Letter of Consent for Minors Dear UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Minor Participant: I amDr. Mary J o Parker, Scholars Academy Director and Natural Sciences Faculty member at the UHD College of Sciences and Technology. I amconducting a research study to examine the impact of summer research teams investigating Houston area watersheds through Watershed Wonder Environmental Day Camp experiences. The goals of this camp are: 1) change in attitudes built fromfirst-hand experience, especially in one's community and culture, is critical to achieving environmental stewardship; 2) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be offered as multiple focal points through first hand, carefully selected environmental learning experiences; and 3) environmental experiences centered around questions, problems, and issues investigated through pre-post attitude surveys, field data collection, observation, and hands-on activities stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving skill development, and support student achievement, efficacy in teacher pedagogy, and motivation to enter STEM college programs. I amrequesting for your voluntary participation in the UHD/SA Watershed Wonder Environmental Camp study, which will involve 1) application and acceptance in the Summer Program, 2) informed consent to voluntarily participate in the one-week onsite experience at UHD (along with Parental Consent), and 3) providing voluntarily the application documents to project administrators prior to acceptance into the program. All background information collected through the application will only be used in an aggregated form, meaning no individual information will be released for presentation/publication purposes and only group information averages without names will be used.Your participation in this day camp summer research experience is voluntary and your parent must give permission to your participation. Your total time commitment involved in this research will include for student participants the commitment will include 1 full week of summer research on the UHD campus located at One Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77002. If selected, voluntary participation in this study will be supported with stipends. For students the summer stipend will be $100. Lunches are provided for all participants during the summer research week, and fieldtrip travel, and expert seminars are provided.You will participate in field studies in and around the Houston area bayous where you will collect soil, water, and microbial samples for analysis in the UHD labs.You will work with Vernier probeware and sensors in the collection of these samples as methodology to address the health of the watersheds in this area.You will also work with national datasets supplied by NOAA and the USGS as they apply to watersheds and non-point sources of pollution to Galveston Bay.You are under no obligation to participate in this study or to receive the summer programbenefits connected with this study. The completion or non-completion of this study will not affect your status as a potential UHD undergraduate unless other UHD policies come into effect. Your agreement to participate in the Watershed Wonder Environmental Camp summer programrequires: 1) you be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 2) be a current 10-l2thgrade high school student/teacher, and 3) complete an application to be part of this project and as a minor, provide documentation fromyour parent of their consent to your participation. Participants selected for the summer programwill be fromthe pool of completed applications only. If you have any questions concerning the research study, please call Dr. Mary J o Parker, SA Director (713) 221-8471. Sincerely, Dr. Mary J o Parker, Principal Investigator Scholars Academy Director/Natural Science Faculty University of Houston Downtown College of Science and Technology UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Letter of Consent for Minors Return with Application I give consent for my child ____________________________________(name of child) to participate in the above study.I understand that pictures or statements associated with this research may be taken and I give my release for use of such images or statements for this project. Parent of Minor Name (Print) SignatureDate Minors Name (Print)Signature Date Any questions regarding your rights as a research subject may be addressed to the UHD Committee on Standards for Research Involving Human Subjects through its current chair, Dr. Ruth J ohnson at 713-223-7937 or at johnsonru@uhd.edu.All research projects that are carried out at the University of Houston Downtown are governed by requirements of the University and the Federal Government. UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Parent/Guardian Letter of Consent for Minors Dear UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Parent/s/Guardian of Minors: I amDr. Mary J o Parker, Scholars Academy Director and Natural Sciences Faculty member at the UHD College of Sciences and Technology. I amconducting a research study to examine the impact of summer research teams investigating Houston area watersheds through Watershed Wonder Environmental Day Camp experiences. The goals of this camp are: 1) change in attitudes built fromfirst-hand experience, especially in one's community and culture, is critical to achieving environmental stewardship; 2) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be offered as multiple focal points through first hand, carefully selected environmental learning experiences; and 3) environmental experiences centered around questions, problems, and issues investigated through pre-post attitude surveys, field data collection, observation, and hands-on activities stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving skill development, and support student achievement, efficacy in teacher pedagogy, and motivation to enter STEM college programs. I amrequesting your childs voluntary participation in the UHD/SA Watershed Wonder Environmental Camp study, which will involve 1) application and acceptance in the Summer Camp, 2) informed parental consent to voluntarily participate in the one-week onsite experience at UHD, and 3) providing voluntarily the application documents to project administrators prior to selection and invitation into the program. All background information collected through the application will only be used in an aggregated form, meaning no individual information will be released for presentation/publication purposes and only group information averages without names will be used in project reports/dissemination.Your childs participation in this day camp summer research experience is voluntary and in order for your child to be considered for and selected to the Watershed Wonders Camp, you must give permission for your childs participation. Your childs total time commitment involved in this research will include 1 full week of summer research (9:00 to 4:00 with transportation the responsibility of the childs parent) at the UHD campus located at One Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77002. If selected, your childs voluntary participation in this study will be supported with nominal stipends. For students the summer stipend will $100.Camp lunches are provided for all student participants during the summer research week, and fieldtrip travel, and expert seminars are provided.Your child will participate in field studies in and around the Houston area bayous where collection of soil, water, and microbial samples for analysis in the UHD labs will be part of the learning process in this camp experience.Your child will work with Vernier probeware and sensors in the collection of these samples as methodology to address the health of the watersheds in this area.Your child will also work with national datasets supplied by NOAA and the USGS as they apply to watersheds and non-point sources of pollution to Galveston Bay.Your child is under no obligation to participate in this study or to receive the summer programbenefits connected with this study. The completion or non-completion of this study will not affect your childs status as a potential UHD undergraduate unless other UHD policies come into effect. Your agreement to allow your childs participate in the Watershed Wonder Environmental Camp summer programrequires: 1) your child be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 2) be a current 10-l2thgrade high school student, and 3) submit a completed Watershed Wonder application to UHD, and provide signature documentation your parental consent to participate in this summer project. Participants selected for the summer programwill be fromthe pool of completed applications only. If you have any questions concerning the research study, please contact Dr. Mary J o Parker, SA Director (713) 221-8471. Sincerely, Dr. Mary J o Parker, Principal Investigator Scholars Academy Director/Natural Science Faculty University of Houston Downtown College of Science and Technology UHD Watershed Wonder: Environmental Camp 2014-15 Parental Letter of Consent for Minors Return with Application I give consent for my child ____________________________________(name of child) to participate in the above study.I understand that pictures or statements associated with this research may be taken and I give my release for use of such images or statements for this project. Parent of Minor Name (Print) SignatureDate Minors Name (Print)Signature Date Any questions regarding your rights as a research subject may be addressed to the UHD Committee on Standards for Research Involving Human Subjects through its current chair, Dr. Ruth J ohnson at 713-223-7937or at johnsonru@uhd.edu.All research projects that are carried out at the University of Houston Downtown are governed by requirements of the University and the Federal Government.