In this issue:
What would it take to get you excited about a curriculum-based education program? How about a series of science modules that the kids like, well-prepared lesson plans, a setting in which students learn more, free continuing education for the teachers and rangers, funded transportation for student field studies, enthusiastic rangers to work with, a variety of different curriculum modules, and opportunities to spend a day at a different one of the eight participating national parks.
I have always enjoyed doing Junior Ranger programs and elementary school, curriculum-based programs at the National Mall. I am particularly enthusiastic about the Bridging the Watershed (BTW) program because it enhances and expands my experience. This is an opportunity to work with older kids - giving me, and the park, a different age group to introduce to our National Park Service resources (a good idea for a national park). But best of all, the students actually get to see national parks and are exposed to science in a natural setting.
The Summer Teacher/Ranger Institute and the pre-field and post-field activities also bring the teacher onboard as a more active partner. The teacher prepares the students for the field study and actively participates in the on-site activities. The BTW educators, Anna Moline and Libby Campbell, are full partners in the programs as well. They are great people to work with, they know the subject matter, and they are great teachers and coaches.
For me, the greatest attraction to the BTW program is its variety. Typically, each park has a focus on a limited number of programs. These limitations are often the result of the mission of that park, the physical resources themselves, and our own knowledge and ideas. BTW has brought together a very broad and diversified team to create and develop the modules and to offer programs to suit the varying natural resources and needs of the participating national parks. This also means that teachers can choose different programs and different parks.
I have taken advantage of this variety to cross-train, taking the workshops to teach all five modules. My park is suitable for only two of the modules and doesn't get many requests. But I am often asked to go to other parks for the day to help them with the modules offered at their location. Meanwhile, back at my park, funds are provided for one of my colleagues to cover for me.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the hands-on training. It gave me the practical skills and confidence to do the programs - especially the part about putting on the boots and doing field identification of plants and water critters. Did you ever look at one of those things up close before?
Please hand me the net.
Come on in; the water's fine.
