The goal of Jack Creek Preserve Foundation’s Conservation Field School for teachers is to:
Ignite student interest in science using current challenges in wildlife management by enriching K-12 curriculum, developing wildlife-focused problem-solving and scientific inquiry activities, and decreasing teacher lesson/classroom preparation. Help teachers to address and meet the Montana Science Standards using wildlife conservation and management topics – increasing our student’s natural connection and interest in wildlife with an emphasis on the incredible biodiversity of wildlife and its conservation throughout our state. Prioritize the essential understandings needed by citizens to improve/promote coexistence with wildlife in our multi-ownership landscape, and what our teachers need to promote this knowledge. Assess and suggest updates to existing materials for educating our students about wildlife conservation and management. Brainstorm with local agency biologists and stakeholders to determine what materials/data they could provide teachers to fully engage students in the challenges of conserving wildlife in the Northern Rockies.
DETAILS
Dates: June 20-22, 2024 (10:30 AM June 20 To 3PM June 22)
15 MT OPI Renewal Units
Cost: $75
Rustic Lodging And Meals Provided
At Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center
COURSE INFORMATION AND OBJECTIVES
Through class presentations, discussions, and field activities specializing in all things wildlife, teachers will gain an understanding of how they can bring these topics into their classrooms!
Topics:
Montana Wildlife ID; Learn how to bring wildlife into your classroom through hands on activities about Montana critters! Wildlife identification, habitat use, and conservation discussion will allow educators to build their own understanding while getting great ideas for lessons!
People and Wildlife: Ever wondered how Montana wildlife are being affected by human development? Are you curious about the importance of wildlife to small town cultures and economies? In this segment of the Field School teachers will participate in activities that address some of the big topics in Montana and learn about ways they can incorporate these topics into their own classrooms!
Project WILD curriculum: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks education staff will lead a fun, hands-on training for teachers and will include 8 OPI renewal credits. The training will showcase the award-winning Project Wild curriculum, which will be given to each participant. This is a wildlife-based conservation curriculum that over 1.5 million teachers in the United States have been trained in.
Science Outside: Science is everywhere! In this portion of the Field School, educators will get a crash course in ways to incorporate outdoor science into their lessons! Along with thinking through how students can apply science to their questions about wildlife, the teachers will gain tips and tricks for managing students in outdoor spaces.