The Schools in Parks Collaborative is a state-wide collaboration between elementary teachers and state park rangers to create outdoor learning experiences for students, in state parks and on school grounds, maximizing opportunities to connect to nature and foster a sense of wonder throughout the school year.
At the heart of the Schools in Parks Collaborative is a year-long professional development program where 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classroom teachers and park rangers take part in a series of workshops featuring hands-on, inquiry-based activities aligned with state standards and integrated across multiple content areas that are fundamental to both classroom learning and state park field trips.
The program emphasizes evidence-based outdoor learning approaches, current environmental science practices, and first-hand experiences with the natural resources of state parks. Our goal is to bring together park rangers and classroom teachers to collaboratively develop memorable outdoor learning experiences for students.
Podcast
Program Components
Professional Development Workshops.
Experience natural and cultural resources first-hand during an overnight summer institute at Haw River State Park and day-long field experiences at regional state parks.
Community of Practice.
Network with peers from across the state to share resources and support in using outdoor learning approaches. Teachers draw on workshop experiences and the peer network as they collaborate with park ranger staff to plan and conduct a state park field trip for students.
State Park Field Trip.
Teachers are highly encouraged to engage their class in a state park field experience during the 2024-25 school year, with transportation costs for in-person field trips reimbursed by Friends of North Carolina State Parks.
Participant Benefits
Teachers Receive:
- Authentic experiential learning opportunities designed to enrich knowledge of North Carolina’s ecosystems, geography, and environmental history and enhance skills in using the outdoors for instruction.
- Access to a peer learning network and resources to support classroom integration of content including tailored curriculum materials.
- Up to $350 stipend for fully participating in the workshops and bringing your students on a field trip to a NC State Park.
- Continuing Education Units (CEU), and credit for the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program.
Teachers Receive:
- Authentic experiential learning opportunities designed to enrich knowledge of North Carolina’s ecosystems, geography, and environmental history and enhance skills in using the outdoors for instruction.
- Access to a peer learning network and resources to support classroom integration of content including tailored curriculum materials.
- Up to $350 stipend for fully participating in the workshops and bringing your students on a field trip to a NC State Park.
- Continuing Education Units (CEU), and credit for the N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program.
The Schools in Parks Collaborative is led by Sarah Yelton, Environmental Education & Citizen Science Program Manager in the UNC Institute for the Environment in partnership with North Carolina State Parks.
Recommended Reading
Related Links
- Schools in Parks Collaborative - Field Trip Transportation Reimbursement Example
- Schools in Parks Collaborative - Field Trip Transportation Reimbursement Letter Template
- Youth in Parks - Environmental Education Grant
- NC Culture Kids Videos & Curriculum
- NC State Parks Field Trip Request Form
- North Carolina State Parks
Schools in Parks Lessons & Activities
- Beaver Adaptations (PDF)
- Biodiversity Soup! A Look at Lake Ecology (PDF)
- Bird Identification Hike (PDF)
- Fox: An Ecosystem Name Game (PDF)
- Go Outdoors! Tips & Tricks (PDF)
- Have You Ever? Natural Science Icebreaker (PDF)
- Incredible Plant Adaptations (PDF)
- Nature Journaling Prompts (PDF)
- Nature Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
- Nature Scavenger Hunt (editable version) (External Link)
- Raptor Yoga (PDF)
- Rock, Paper, Scissors Ecosystems (PDF)
- Silent Hike (PDF)
- Tree Life Cycles in a Forest (PDF)
- Who’s in the Water? A Stream Study (PDF)
Program Contact
Taylor Prichard,
Educational Consultant, Center for Public Engagement with Science
(919) 966-0895tmpricha@unc.edu
People
Made Possible by:
Funding Source
North Carolina State Parks
Collaborators
NC State Parks
- Mary Meyer, Schools in Parks Program Manager, mary.meyer@ncparks.gov
- Melissa Mitchell, Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, melissa.mitchell@ncparks.gov
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