Project Linnaeus was designed to enhance the science content and classroom application skills of K-6 teachers, thus providing students with essential knowledge necessary for success in the new state coordinated, thematic science curriculum. The project provided knowledge-level support in botany, ecology, and geology.

In the spring of 1996, participants attended a series of six evening workshops emphasizing:

• Principles of Plant Identification
• Geologic History of Appalachia
• Ecological Concepts
• Use of Equipment and Software
• Coordinated/Thematic Science
• Planning for Field Trips and Data Collection

During July, participants took part in field studies in the Western Low Hills in the Parkersburg area to study geology and soils, river bottoms, ridges and slopes, old fields, and roadsides The Salem-Teikyo University provided housing and food for this one-week study. During the second week, participants stayed at Mountain Institute near Spruce Knob and studied the botany and geology of high elevations and the ridge and valley province. Participants collected and organized data and specimens to be used in their classes and to be entered into this INTERNET project, collaborate on classroom application, and develop methods of instruction. Participants maintained field logs and journals.

In the fall of 1996, three 3-hour workshops were scheduled as follow-up and to allow for the organization of data and specimens to be collected. Photographs and data collected at each site were scanned and formatted for entry into the project. The workshops allowed the participants to adapt the content learned in the field trips to the classroom and to finalize their individual projects.

Three additional 3-hour workshops were offered to other teachers in the neighboring counties to collect, identify, mount, and catalog plants for the construction of mini-herbaria to be used in their classrooms. All materials and supplies were provided by grant funds.