What bird was that? What frog
is croaking? Is that critter dangerous?
Knowing the wild world around
you is the first step towards understanding nature and sharing it with your
students. Teachers who are comfortable with the out-of-doors easily transfer
their enthusiasm and knowledge to their students.
This hands-on field and lab course will prepare you to identify the common
plants and animals to be expected in NE PA. This course will offer an intensive
study of the interrelationships, behaviors, and adaptations allowing for the
biological success of plants and animals. Through the combination of laboratory
investigations, field studies, class discussions, and reading assignments
participants will gain an understanding of how living things adapt and adjust to
maintain themselves as they balance the influences of nature and man.
Topics may include birds
(including banding), mammals, insects, amphibians, flowering plants, 'lower'
plants, mushrooms, and aquatic organisms. Brief introductions will blend into
extensive time in the field. Collecting, photographing, preparing, and curating
specimens will be demonstrated.
*This course is mainly geared for teachers of grades
7-12, but it also has significant relevance for teachers of grades k-6.
