casper mountain science school a model for partnerships and innovation kathy dolan chair, board of...
TRANSCRIPT
Casper Mountain Science School
A Model for Partnerships and Innovation
Kathy DolanChair, Board of Trustees, Casper College
Susan MillerChair, Central Wyoming BOCES
Trustee, Casper College
Walt Nolte, Ph.D.President, Casper College
Evert BrownDirector, Casper Mountain Science School;
Biology Faculty, Casper College
AboutCasper College
Walt Nolte, Ph.D.President
Casper, Wyoming
Casper College
Casper College
Casper College
Casper College
Casper College
Casper College
Recently Completed
FA
Student Union & UW/CC
Music Building
Casper College
Casper College
Casper College
Development of the CMSS Idea
Evert Brown, Ph.D.Director, Casper Mountain Science School;
Biology Faculty, Casper College
The Situation
• “Our society is teaching young people to avoid direct experience in nature.” Richard Louv
• “I like to play indoors better ‘cause that’s where all the electric outlets are.”
San Diego fourth-grader
• “I have lived in Casper all my life, and I’ve never been on Casper Mountain before, this place is neat.” Casper Graduating Senior
• “I’m uncomfortable teaching in the outdoors, you never know what will happen.”
Education major
Learning
…a change of behavior or abilities based upon
experiences…
Existing Community
Partnerships
Kathy DolanChair, Board of Trustees, Casper College
History ofCasper Mountain Science School
Susan MillerChair, Central Wyoming BOCES
Trustee, Casper College
The CMSS Today
Evert Brown, Ph.D.Director, Casper Mountain Science School;
Biology Faculty, Casper College
The Solution
Program Design
• College Students– Casper College– University of
Wyoming– Student
Conservation Association
• District Students• Local Partners
– BOCES– Girl Scouts– County– Planetarium
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Experiences
Service
Service
Service
Service
Service
Service
Service
Opportunities
Opportunities
Opportunities
Opportunities
What the Community is Saying
“It was fun. School isn’t but this was.” (8th grader)
“This helped my daughter to see how much she has to offer.” (Parent)
“With a program like this, we can hook at-risk kids who aren’t successful in traditional schooling and are hungry for something different.” (Teacher)
“… the best thing from an educator’s perspective is getting kids outside doing real world science. Mentoring between NCSD students and college students can be positive for both sides.”
(administrator/board member)
“It’s an opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge and share their interest in that field. Anytime a student can apply what they are learning, it will enrich their own education.” ( UWCC administrator)
“I’m a much stronger teacher than I thought I would be. I learned that I really enjoy teaching. I’m a lot more knowledgeable than I thought I was.” (CC Student)
What the Community is Saying
“Learning on the mountain was a great experience on which the setting made a big impact. Touching and listening to the subject is an upgrade from classroom life.”
(8th Grade Student)
What the Community is Saying
“The program was based on fun, specifically making learning fun, nature fun, and people fun. The staff and students wanted to be there which opened a lot of doors to education, unlike school.”
(8th Grade Student)
What the Community is Saying
“The most valuable thing I learned was to respect the outdoors.” (8th Grade Student)
What the Community is Saying
Report
Year 1
• Students served– Middle Schools– Elementary Schools– Home Schools– At Risk
• Expected – 500 students
• Actual – 639 students
• School groups – 21
Report
Year 1
• Students– College experience – CEU – Longitudinal Study
• Program Days– 67/100
Outcomes
• Student Conservation Association – 5,400 volunteer hours– Education Interns (12)
• 2 in graduate schools• 3 working for NPOs• 1 teaching overseas• 2 unknown• 1 in education program in Wyoming• 2 working for resource agencies• 1 outdoor career (Outward Bound)• 1 seeking a second degree in education
Outcomes
• College & University– Biology Courses
• Ecology• Flora
– Education Courses– Mathematics– Earth Sciences
Current
Growth
Projection 2012-13
• 12 weeks of Fall programs
• 15 weeks of Spring programs
• 800-900 students
Facilities
• Weather Station – 2012
• Shower House – 2013
• Land
Questions/Followup
Presentation, contacts and links atcaspercollege.edu/cmss