NOTE: This is website is archived for to document the 2019 professional development opportunity.

Welcome

We at the South Dakota Discovery Center are pleased to welcome you to Science and Storytelling in the Badlands. This immersive professional development opportunity is for the educator who is willing to get hands-on, feet wet and knees dirty in order to explore the world to better teach about it. Our expedition will travel to Badlands National Park to explore it through science and storytelling

Please read through the site thoroughly. It will be updated as I confirm details and finalize logistics. I will send out an email to anyone who is registered when I post an update but the emails themselves will not include the information here.

About

Science and Storytelling in the Badlands is a professional development opportunity coordinated by the South Dakota Discovery Center and accredited by the University of Sioux Falls . This two credit class runs June 18-21. We spend one day in Wall, preparing for our expedition and two days in the field in Badlands National Park camping at Sage Creek primitive campground. We will return to Wall on the final day to complete our classwork which this year is mapmaking with ArcGIS story maps.

We will engage in a mix of field studies, hiking, exploring, and interacting with Park resources. During the class, participants are expected to keep a journal, take photos, participate in field studies and hikes, and attend all speakers. The hikes will be easy to moderate. Saddle Pass, an iconic Badlands trail, is strenuous and is an optional hike. Educators will be supported in developing their story of the experience which will include phenomena to anchor student investigation.

The cost is $50 which includes some meals and park entry fees. Participants are responsible for travel and lodging outside of the field session.

Educators who participate in Science and Storytelling have the option to become GLOBE certified educators. They will also complete Phase One of the National Geographic Educator Certification. Phases Two and Three can be completed in the fall.

Please consult the Agenda and Syllabus pages for specific coursework requirements.

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.

  1. Registration and payment is required through the South Dakota Discovery Center at Science and Storytelling in the Badlands.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

Contact

Please contact class facilitator Anne Lewis with questions. You can call her at 605-224-8295.