Science and Storytelling is an opportunity for educators to explore Badlands National Park through the lenses of science and story telling and bring that experience back to their teaching. In this workshop educators will develop and apply the attitudes, skills and knowledge of an explorer per the National Geographic Learning Framework by conducting field studies, contributing data to citizen science initiatives, documenting their observations through journaling, photos and a story map which they will use as part of subject matter storytelling. We will spend one day in class preparing for our learning expedition and two in the field, staying at Sage Creek primitive campground. Our final day we return to classroom to finalize our maps.
Additionally, we will do a deep dive into learning about arthropods, contribute to citizen science, explore the educational resources of the Park and visit the National Grasslands visitor center.
Educators who seek credit will produce a digital story map of the expedition using their journal and photos.
Participants will be able to:
Use GLOBE and iNaturalist as a part of a comprehensive field study.
Access the educational resources of Badlands National Park
Expand their understanding of the flora, fauna, and geology of Badlands National Park through immersive experiences.
Create a digital story map of their experience using their photos and journal entries.
Translate their personal experiences into professional artifacts to use in their teaching.
Registration
This class requires multiple registrations. Please review and complete. Our apologies for the multiple steps but these different systems are not integrated and each registration is for a distinct purpose.
Registration and payment is required through the South Dakota Discovery Center at Science and Storytelling in the Badlands.
Those seeking graduate or undergraduate credit will need to register and pay through the University of Sioux Falls . Contact hour credit is available through the SD Discovery Center.
If you are currently or intend on becoming a GLOBE teacher, please register for this class on the GLOBE website at https://www.globe.gov/get-trained/workshops/workshop/jT1U/112002
GLOBE
You are encouraged to become a GLOBE trained teacher for this course if you are seeking credit and it makes sense for your teaching. If you are not a GLOBE trained teacher you can complete your training online through the protocol e -training. Even if you are not seeking credit, being a GLOBE trained educator adds value to your experience.
To become e-trained you must complete three modules, Introduction to GLOBE, Introduction to a Sphere and a protocol. For Science and Story telling you are encouraged to complete Introduction to the Hydrosphere and any (or all) of the following: Water Transparency (turbidity tube), Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, pH, Water Temperature. This is in addition to the required Introduction to GLOBE module. See all the requirements for e-training at https://www.globe.gov/get-trained/protocol-etraining/protocol-requirements
Teachers that are already GLOBE trained are encouraged to review the hydrosphere protocols listed above.
iNaturalist
You will need an iNaturalist account. You are encouraged but not required to have the iNaturalist app loaded on your phone.
Adventure Scientists Wilderness Pollinator
If you are an experienced iNaturalist user (or plan to be by our field session) and would like an additional challenge, I encourage you to apply to the Adventure Scientists Wilderness Pollinator campaign. We will be monitoring per their protocols. Being accepted to their program allows you to add your observations to their research.
Suggested Readings
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerr. Thoughtful reflection on resolving science and indigenous ways of knowing.
National Geographic Education blog. Strategy shares from Grosvenor Teacher Fellows who translated a field experience to lessons.
Science and Storytelling is a unique professional development program to develop educators both professionally and personally through an immersive, field based experience. Educators will build their scientific knowledge, enrich their pedagogy, and deepen their connection to nature.
If you have not done a field based class before (or even if you have) I've outlined important background information to help prepare you for the class.
This is a field based class. We will be in the field to collect and contribute data to on-going projects using citizen science protocols. This means that heat, rain, sun, wildlife, and long hikes are part of the experience. Please see the logistics list and prepare accordingly.
Even though we will be in a national park where almost everyone else will be on vacation, our purpose is academic. Participation in all activities is required, including the evening sessions.
We will be camping in Sage Creek, a primitive area of the park. There is a vault toilet with hand sanitizer but no running water or electricity. You are encouraged but not required to camp with the group. You may opt to stay in Wall, hike out and camp in the back country, or camp in the Cedar Pass campground which has amenities. During our pre-class meeting I will be asking you about your plans.
You will be provided a Rite in the Rain journal for notes. You are encouraged to take a lot of photos to bring this experience back to your classroom. On the last day we will be making our story maps and you will need the artifacts you created.
Assignments will be required for those seeking credit. Please consult the assignments page for complete details.