Program Description 

The program would be implemented through the Ecology Project International (EPI) student travel program. This would be an eight-day trip to Yellowstone that has students working with an instructor team from EPI. The first day would be a travel day and getting acquainted with our EPI instructors and lodgings. Day two through five, we would be learning a variety of ecological skills. Skills would include utilizing radio telemetry to track ungulates and learn to differentiate between genders and ages of each species. Developing snowshoeing skills that would lead us to snow science instruction. Then on day six, we would join National Park Service wolf team technicians and observe wolves in the park. After observing the wolves, we would explore the area's geothermal features at Hot Mammoth Springs. During that time, students will have developed an independent research question that they will be collecting data on. Students will use that question and data to create a presentation. On the last full day we have at the park, students would present their questions and data to peers. To celebrate all the work and research that had taken place, students will enjoy time at a hot spring just outside the park. Then the final day would be traveling back to Illinois. This program would be a new and exciting way to introduce students to field-based learning. Field-based learning provides so many benefits academically, personally and socially.