Distance Learning

 

Teachers can bring Death Valley into their classrooms via their preferred virtual platform.

NPS/R. Joaquin

Death Valley National Park offers free, distance learning programs for classes. The programs enhance teacher curriculum by meeting national teaching standards. Programs are available via the teacher's preferred virtual platform.

Our distance learning programs and lesson plans follow the flipped classroom approach:

First, Pre-Virtual Trip activities expose students to asynchronous activities (e.g., video, reading). These activities allow students to engage, explore, and explain the program's content.

Then, a live ranger joins students for a scheduled Virtual Trip. The ranger will discuss students' results from the Pre-Virtual Trip activities. These discussions will forge a deeper connection for students to the content. Students will use higher order thinking skills during this session to extend and evaluate program content.

Finally, Post-Virtual Trip activities allow for higher order follow-up through more asynchronous activities. These activities allow for re-engagement, extending students' knowledge and understanding of program content.

 

Programs

Lesson plan materials are available for download on our Teaching Resources page under the "Distance Learning" header. Classes must complete the Pre-Virtual Trip activities associated with the selected program before their scheduled Virtual Trip date.

 

Classes determine what Death Valley and NPS-related topics they'd like to learn more about in our Ask-a-Ranger program.

NPS

Ask-a-Ranger

Join a park ranger to learn about the National Park Service and what makes Death Valley special. We are happy to answer any questions your students have about the park, including what park rangers do in one of the most extreme places on Earth! If your students have special topic interests or advance questions, please include those during registration, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Note: There are currently no Pre- or Post-Virtual Trip activities associated with this program.

Target Audience: This program can be adapted for all grade levels based on class interests.

 

Death Valley can get hot! Students learn why in our Extreme Temperatures program.

NPS

Extreme Temperatures

Death Valley is known for reaching record-breaking temperatures during the summer. So why is Death Valley so hot? Why is Death Valley so dry? Students will explore how geography, geology, topography, and weather interact to create the extreme desert climate of Death Valley. Students compare their findings with their own community & other National Park Service units. A park ranger will join your students to discuss results and how living organisms can survive extreme temperatures.

Target Audience: This program is designed to meet earth science standards for upper elementary students.

 

Request a Virtual Trip

Distance learning with Death Valley National Park is paused. Please check back next spring to learn of any new opportunities.