Through the Eyes of Butterflies:

Water, Earth, Wind, and Fire

Credit: 1 graduate hour 

Institution: Ashland University

Graduate credit tuition: $185 (paid directly to Ashland University, see below)

Lab, Materials, and Technology Fee: $99 (paid directly to Frederick Limited, see below)

Format: Hybrid (asynchronous modules with one in-person meeting)

Address for in-person meeting: 8351 Morris Road Albany, Ohio 45710

Instructor: Cory Frederick, MEd

Prescribed Fire Manager: Badger Johnson, MS

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Overview: 

Aligned with Ohio’s Social Studies and Science Standards, this hybrid course is designed specifically for educators who want to enhance their teaching by integrating environmental science and social studies concepts into cross-curricular, hands-on lessons. In Through the Eyes of Butterflies: Water, Earth, Wind, and Fire, you will explore how the four natural elements shape ecosystems and influence the environment. But this course goes beyond just the science. You’ll help your students examine the human impact on the environment, from climate change and habitat destruction to the role of fire in land management, ecological restoration, and sustainability. You'll also introduce them to traditional knowledge and practices related to environmental stewardship. 

Ready for some hot, hands-on action? Join us at Monarch Park, our 5-acre land lab and butterfly way station in Albany, Ohio, for a presentation by a certified prescribed fire manager, and then work in small groups to plan and manage a prescribed fire as part of our habitat restoration project. 

Details: 

• Five (5) easy, self-paced modules with readings, activities, videos, quizzes, and discussion boards (7.5 credit hours)

• One in-person meeting on Saturday, April 12, 2025 in Albany, Ohio for a prescribed fire workshop (5 credit hours)

• There are two (2) separate payments required if you are earning graduate credit. 

1. Lab/Materials/Technology Fee = $99 paid directly to Frederick Limited

2. Graduate credit tuition paid directly to Ashland University 

Email Cory Frederick at workshops@monarchparkbnb.com for more details.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, you will be able to...

1. Teach students to apply science standards to real-world environmental issues, helping them connect scientific concepts with current ecological challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.

2. Guide students in understanding the interconnectedness of human society and the natural environment, fostering awareness of how human activities impact ecological systems and vice versa.

3. Integrate traditional ethnological knowledge and practices into lessons on environmental education, enabling students to explore diverse perspectives on sustainable land management and ecological stewardship.

4. Assist students in analyzing the role of the four natural elements (fire, water, earth, and wind) in ecological systems, teaching them how these elements interact in land management, ecological restoration, and environmental sustainability.

5. Design and implement hands-on activities that engage students in environmental stewardship

Related courses:

• Plants, Pollinators, and People

• Creating a Monarch Butterfly Way Station 

Participants can choose to complete one or more of the courses in Through the Eyes of Butterflies. Click the LEARN MORE button below to request information about our program.

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