Field Experiences and Hands on Projects

Recently, I have read and commented on other blogs about the importance of field experience.  This got me wondering how I could incorporate field experience into my research topic (finding supplementary materials for teaching and learning).  Since I plan on teaching in the Des Moines area, I sought out resources for teachers in the near by area.  My first resource I found was the Iowa DNR.  If you go to their education home page and click on the Educator/Youth Leader link multiple resources are at your disposal.


Action/Involvement Programs

The DNR offers quite a few programs to get citizens involved in the community while learning about and helping our environment.  My two favorites are

• Taking ACTION: provides educations with a guide and model to develop an environmental action project.  The DNR gives you samples of more than 30 projects.
• Trees for kids/teens:  This is a program for elementary and secondary students that teaches them the importance of trees and then students get to plant trees around their school and neighborhood.

Educational Facilities/Field Trips

Sometimes the best supplementary material can't be provided in your classroom.  Field trips can make an important impression on students, spark interest, and motivation in science.  Before going on a field trip, I would suggest inquiry learning first to develop students understanding and then go on the field trip to further enhance and deepen understanding.  Field trips also are a good way to show students that there are many jobs where people "do science".  Here are some of my favorites opportunities the Iowa DNR offers.

• Iowa Nature Centers and Museums :  The DNR provides a list of 4 nature centers & museums.  Click here to learn more about each center. 
• Springbook Conservation Education Center: click here to get the details. 
• Iowa also has a slew of parks with nature trails, bird watching stations, and much more.  Click here to view a list of our state parks.  Here is another link that gives information about the Des Moines area parks. 

Demonstration/Models/Kits

• EnviroScape:  This kit teaches students about nonpoint source pollution, which is the most significant type of pollution that is dangerous to water.  I've heard good things about this program and Project Wild Aquatic from teachers.  This is worth checking out.  
• Migratory Bird Learning Trunks: Classrooms receive a trunk that contains materials to investigate the migration of Neotropical bird and its connection to the Midwest.  
• Stream Table: interactive project that teaches kids the connection between sediment, vegetation, and flowing water.  

Keep in mind that as teachers we want to preserve the nature of science, so revisions and adjustments may need to be made to these kits.