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Date: April 11, 2006
Contact: Bridget Litten, 505.785.3024

With just two weeks left before the April 25 live broadcast from Carlsbad Caverns National Park of the electronic field trip (EFT) Exploring Nature’s Plumbing System: Caves of the National Park System, registration is nearing the 37 million mark, including students and teachers from 49 states and seven countries.

Designed for third through eighth grade students, Exploring Nature’s Plumbing System looks at how caves are much more than nature’s plumbing system. They are sites of exploration, adventure, shelter and cutting-edge research.

Produced by Ball State University, teachers and partners, the EFT is an interactive educational experience that provides an in-depth educational experience for students who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of the resources available in a faraway park or museum. There are three main components to the EFT:

• Classroom Activities. Standards-based, grade-appropriate lessons were developed that cover the program’s content. The curriculum materials are aligned with McREL’s national standards for environmental education.
• Website. A website was developed and launched in March. The teachers’ side of the website provides information and activities to prepare for the live broadcast and to begin developing the students’ knowledge of the subject matter. The student’s side is an interactive website with activities to help them become familiar with the program’s content.
• Live Broadcast. The April 25 broadcast, airing on PBS, is the culminating element of the EFT experience. The 90-minute, live broadcast from the park will feature park staff, as well as students and teachers who have been using the curriculum. Students will be able to call in with their questions and have them answered by onscreen experts. E-mailed questions will also be answered.

For more information, contact Marjorie Head at 505.785.3127. To register, go to www.bsu.edu/eft/home/41register.php.