The Project INSTAR (Investigating Nature through Science Teacher Active Research) summer science teacher institute is an earth/space science education program that provides an innovative approach to science teacher professional development focused on marine science education and technology training in Florida and North Carolina coastal environments. The Institute has successfully completed its fifth year of providing hands-on training, field experiences, and state-of-the-art computer technology related to the earth/space sciences. Teachers work with scientists to bring cutting-edge marine science research and technology into the classroom.

The purpose of the Institute is to improve the quality of science education by offering K-12 teachers marine science content, laboratory, field, and GIS technology training in themes relating to 1)Barrier Islands, 2)Hydrogeology, 3)Coral Reefs, 4)Marine Animals, 5)Coastal Ecosystems, and 6)Tropical Meteorology. The summer institute provides teachers with innovative earth/space science teaching materials useful for classroom instruction and improves their content knowledge and ability to transfer their learning onto their students.