This three-year teacher enhancement project, starting in the summer of 1990 and sponsered by the University of Michigan- Dearborn, will provide a four week summer program and follow- up activities for 30 high school teachers each year from the Detroit Metropolitan area. Preference for selection to the program will be given to teachers who apply as part of a team from the same school and represent the natural sciences and the social sciences. The project will teach science through interdisciplinary problem solving by focussing on the Rouge River Watershed-the area which contains the school systems of Detroit, Wayne County, and Oakland County. This program will interrelate the areas of biology, chemistry, environmental science, geography, geology and social science. The Rouge River Watershed is the subject of intense scrutiny by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the media because of its extreme pollution problems and the mandated Remedial Action Plan. Because the problems are more serious than most citizens recognize, a science education program which relates the scientific, technological, and social basis for the problems and the solutions will lead to improved understanding of science as well as create citizenry concerned and informed about its environment.
