Exploring Science Education Opportunities at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore through Project WILD

Eleven people are standing in a circle on a beach.  One person is dressed in park ranger uniform. Lake Michigan is in the background.
Educators attend teacher workshops in Great Lakes national parks to learn activities they can use to teacher their students about Great Lakes ecosystems.

NPS photo

On Saturday, September 25, formal and non-formal educators who work with students in upper elementary through high school are invited to enjoy a day of exploration and hands-on activities in a free educators’ workshop.The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, near Honor, MI. It will introduce participants to a wide variety of supplemental curriculum activities from the newly revised Project WILD Activity Guide and will also help increase participants’ skills in using the resources at the Lakeshore to enhance their students educational experience and address state standards. Participants will receive the Project WILD activity guide, some great ideas for leading field trips in the dunes, and information about new distance learning opportunities. They will also learn about natural resources and resource issues at Sleeping Bear Dunes, including information from presenter Nicole Schafer, Forest Health Specialist at the Lakeshore. The workshop is being conducted with support from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Six State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) are available for participants.
The cover of a book features the words, “Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide”, as well as “Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies”.  Pictures of wildlife, children, and a prairie are also shown.
The Project WILD Curriculum and Activity Guide contains over 80 activities which help students develop awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions regarding wildlife and the environment.
Project Wild is an award-winning, wildlife-based conservation and environmental education program that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. The newly released Project WILD Supplemental Curriculum and Activity Guide includes new sections on conducting field investigations, "In Step with STEM" activity extensions, and "WILD Work" career components in addition to over 80 educational activities. Activities conducted throughout the workshop tie in with natural resources and resource issues at Sleeping Bear Dunes and across Michigan.

Preregistration for this workshop is required, and registration is limited. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, precautions will be taken as per CDC recommendations. Click here to register (please include your name, e-mail address, and the grade level you teach) or call (219)707-0055 by Friday, September 17.

Last updated: September 3, 2021