MDC invites teachers to Discover Nature Schools Nature Unbound workshop Jan. 6 at Powder Valley Nature Center

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
12/18/2019
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KIRKWOOD, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites teachers to attend a Discover Nature Schools (DNS) teacher workshop for Nature Unbound, the DNS high school level instructional unit. This program provides grant funding for high schools to help cover science equipment and field trips.

The workshop will be held Monday, Jan. 6 from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood. The workshop is free of charge for educators. The nature center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road, near the intersection of I-270 and I-44.

Nature Unbound is correlated with the Missouri Learning Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. Emphasis of this unit is on student-centered and collaborative investigations of ecosystem dynamics, cycles of matter and energy transfer, interdependent relationships, and human impact on biodiversity.  This workshop will cover lessons and activities from the unit as well as an outdoor, experiential approach to student learning.  All materials will be provided.  Portions of this workshop will take place outdoors. 

“This fabulous opportunity will help teachers enable their students to experience authentic conservation practices first hand within a Missouri context,” said MDC Conservation Educator David Bruns.

Participants in this workshop who teach life science to more than 20 students will become eligible to participate in the non-competitive grant program for equipment and field trips that support the unit.

MDC’s DNS program provides no-cost curriculum units to teachers and schools in the state of Missouri. Curriculum units are available for preschool through 12th grade and help teachers and students meet required state learning standards. The DNS program continues to be very popular and is being used within every school district in Missouri.

Space is limited, and participants must register to attend the workshop.  To register for the workshop, visit the Teacher Portal at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZW3 create an account and complete the online registration form.

For questions, contact David Bruns at David.Bruns@mdc.mo.gov, or 314-301-1506, ext. 4212.  For more information about MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program, visit mdc.mo.gov/education.