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 classroom teachers and park rangers take part in a series of workshops featuring hands-on, inquiry-based activities aligned with state standards and integrated with multiple content areas that are integral to state park field trips.
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Apply for the 2024-25 Schools in Parks Collaborative!
The Schools in Parks Collaborative is a free, year-long professional development program, engaging 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers alongside state park rangers in hands-on, inquiry-based activities integrated across content areas. 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.
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.
- Summer Institute | August 7-8, 2024. Overnight accommodation and meals provided at Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC. Participation in the summer institute is required.
- Regional Workshops. During the 2024-25 school year, four regional workshops will be held in different state parks. You must attend at least one and may attend all. Dates to be determined.
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.
Apply Now for the Schools in Parks Collaborative
Application period closes April 1, 2024.
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,
Environmental Education Specialist, Center for Public Engagement with Science
(919) 966-0895tmpricha@unc.edu
People
Made Possible by:
Funding Source
North Carolina State Parks
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