UB EarthEd Institute inspires area science teachers

For many middle and high school teachers, creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for their students often means investing significant time out of their personal life developing lessons that align with the curriculum, their students’ needs, budgets and the realities of their classrooms. UB is aiming to help alleviate that stress for science teachers in Western New York through UB’s EarthEd Institute.

Over a dozen middle and high school teachers from around Western New York had the unique opportunity to learn from faculty experts and Earth science professionals in the field through the 2026 EarthEd experience. The week-long, camp-like schedule allowed attendees to learn on campus, as well as at exciting locations to get fun, fresh and budget-friendly ideas for their classrooms.

“What I enjoyed most about the EarthEd institute was learning about the hard sciences again — almost like being back in college,” says Libby Spada, a science teacher at Williamsville East High School.

“I’m excited to bring back a number of the lessons to my classroom including the sewage overflow models and the air quality assessment. Overall, I really enjoyed learning new things, hanging out with other passionate educators and getting to go to places I otherwise wouldn’t have thought I’d go to.”

The annual institute, now in its sixth year, is presented by the departments of Earth Sciences and Environment and Sustainability (EVS) in the College of Arts and Sciences. It brought 6-12 educators to UB for a free professional development opportunity. Attendees collaborated and worked together while they received 40 hours of New York State Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE)-accredited professional development.

Nick DiFrancesco, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, and Nick Henshue, teaching associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in EVS, co-direct EarthEd. DiFrancesco and Henshue organized a dynamic lineup of activities, field trips and experiences for the educators.

With a blend of atmospheric science, planetary geology, ecology, earthquakes, volcanology, water resources and field-based investigations, the program is designed to create engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that empower educators to bring authentic Earth and environmental science into their classrooms.

“Students learn best when they’re getting their hands dirty,” says DiFrancesco. “We work with our teachers to figure out how to make their classes want to get their hands dirty for the sake of science.”

The activities and learning experience in the packed week agenda included:

• “What is in the air we breathe?,” which involved making and deploying air particulate traps with Henshue.
• “Accessing public scientific data” and “Understanding Planetary Distances/Interatomic Sizes Outside” with DiFrancesco.
• “Surfaces of the terrestrial planets using online visualizations” with Tracy Gregg, professor and chair of the Department of Earth Sciences.
• “Understanding the ecology and ecosystems of JP Nicely Memorial Park,” a hike with Sandford Geffner, environmental studies program coordinator and director of internships and experiential learning in EVS.
• “Learning about sustainability at the Chaffee Landfill in Olean, NY,” with Micki Baker, administrative director, Chaffee Landfill.
• “Cutting edge research on earthquakes” and “Earthquake triangulation outdoors” with Eric Sandvol, Empire Innovation Professor, Department of Earth Sciences.
• Fossil hunting and educational sample giveaway with Sue Marshall, instructional support technician, Department of Earth Sciences.
• “Experimental volcanology research at UB” with Catheryn Ryan, research staff, Department of Earth Sciences.
• “How can combined sewer outflows at UB and in Buffalo help protect the environment” and a visit to the Niagara Street kayak launch to assess human impact on local waterways with Nate Drag from NY Sea Grant.

“EarthEd is one of the most fun weeks of my entire year,” says Henshue. “It is a great opportunity to share lessons, labs, ideas and techniques across all grade levels and schools. The professors get to learn from teachers, too! It is a wonderful recharge for all our batteries.”