White Sands National Monument offers curriculum-based programs that directly relate park resources to what you are teaching in the classroom. Program topics are offered on desert ecology, geology, area history, minimum impact resource use, environmental ethics, biodiversity, and endangerd species; other topics may be arranged. Programs are available to you and your students both at the monument and in your classroom.
The park staff is currently in the process of developing a park curriculum and teacher's guides that will include pre-visit and follow-up activities.
We also offer a variety of teacher workshops. Project WILD, Aquatic Project WET and Project Learning Tree Workshops are available upon request for groups of 15 - 30. These are supplemental, interdisciplinary environmental education curricula. During the summer months we offer different length and topical workshops. These include a five-day White Sands National Monument workshop, Leave No Trace camping workshop, astronomy and fire ecology workshops as well as the above-mentioned curricula.
Plan ahead! Before calling the park, decide what program topic would most directly relate to the unit you are teaching and most beneficial to your students.
The park requires at least 1 month's notice in order to schedule and prepare for the program. Each program will be tailored to meet your class's educational needs. Due to staffing limitations, we can only take one class at a time. We ask that you allow plenty of time for field trips and schedule in free/play time in addition to program time so your students get the maximum benefit of the park experience and visit.
When scheduling a field experience, please also consider time of day and the weather for that time of year. It is also helpful if you have alternate dates available in case of weather or scheduling conflicts.
Education groups using the park for educational purposes are eligible for a fee waiver. A form will be sent with your confirmation letter.
If you need to cancel a program, we ask that you do so as soon as possible so that the time slot can be used by another group.
For more information or to schedule a program or workshop, please contact the White Sands Education Specialist at (505) 679-2599 ext. 231. Or e-mail .