October 8, 2008
It's been an exciting fall with a packed calendar of school groups visiting Glacier. The final day for fall field trips is October 23, 2008 and there are no more openings for fall ranger-led trips. However, the same programs are also offered in spring (May), so call or email if you are interested (the link on the right explains how to schedule a field trip).

There are some exciting new events and materials this October available for teachers. The National Park Service is a partner with the American Geological Institute (AGI) in celebrating Earth Science Week, Oct. 12-18, 2008. The theme this year is "No Child Left Inside!" Check out the free 10 minute YouTube video "Why Earth Science?" to help students learn the answer to that question or visit the AGI Science Week website to order an Earth Science Week Toolkit. 

Another exciting October event is the upcoming Project Learning Tree (PLT) Workshop on Oct. 25, 2008 in Columbia Falls, MT. This one day workshop introduces K-8 teachers, youth group leaders and other educators to the NEW K-8 Project Learning Tree Activity Guide. It includes hands-on, in-depth exploration of four activities, with a visit to a forested site and participants will bring home a copy of the new PLT activity guide which includes 96 activities that help children learn about their natural environment. Six OPI credits are available and the cost of the class is $25 and includes the PLT activity guide. Class size is limited to 20 participants. More information about the workshop and how to register can also be found at the Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE) website.

September 16, 2008
Wow! What a response for field trips I've gotten this fall. The Glacier National Park "Educational Opportunities" flyer was sent to all teachers who had previously been on a field trip to Glacier National Park to remind them about our educational options for this school year. I tried to get the flyer to the schools by August 25 so teachers would have time to arrange a fall field trip. I guess it worked as my phone has been ringing off the hook ever since! Thanks for all of your interest and enthusiasm to bring your students to Glacier.

I have pretty much filled all the field trip slots available for fall and have been slowly filling in the schedule for winter field trips (January, February and March 2009). I'm also taking reservations for May to help out the schools that must turn their bus/field trip requests for the entire school year in now. 

Remember, one of our summer interpreters is staying on through December (to finish her college internship) and is putting together a one-hour "Glacier and Climate Change" classroom presentation for secondary students. Let me know if you would be interested in having her come to your school this November or December.

Finally, our newly updated bear and wolf trunks are checked out through October but available after that. Both have new books, DVDs, lesson plans, and hands-on materials.

Next week, I will out of the office for a few days in order to attend the Montana Children & Nature Summit in Helena on Sept. 23. Organized by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Summit will convene local, state and federal land and recreation resource managers, health care professionals, educators, representatives of non-profit groups and private industry to discuss the importance of reconnecting children with nature in Montana’s big backyard.

For more information about the movement to reconnect children with nature visit the Children and Nature Network (C&NN) website. The C&NN was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature. C&NN provides access to the latest news and research in the field and a peer-to-peer network of researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children's health and well-being.

Laura Law Photo

August 14, 2008
Once again, we are all wondering how the summer could speed by so quickly! Time to get ready to go back to school.

I thought I'd take this opportunity to update everyone on what's been going on with Glacier Education this summer and preview some upcoming events.

• Deb Gerace, our Artist in Residence this summer created Glacier lyrics for 12 popular tunes that I am working on getting posted to our website. Deb is back in her home state of Georgia now where school has already started and she is finalizing a songbook for us.
• Two local teachers participated in our Teacher-to-Ranger-Teacher program this summer. Michelle Petersen from East Glacier School worked as an Interpretive Park Ranger in St. Mary and led hikes, staffed the visitor center and narrated a boat tour. She also updated the information and materials in our wolf trunk.
• Diane Shanks from West Glacier School worked as an Interpretive Park Ranger in Apgar. She also led hikes, staffed the visitor center and gave an evening slide program. Diane updated our bear trunk with lots of fun and interesting new materials. Check our educational trunks page and call me to reserve one of these awesome resources.
• I will be taking reservations for Glacier field trips starting August 25, 2008 and the education program announcement is being mailed to all the teachers who participated in ranger-led programs with us last year. (I'll also upload a pdf version to the website.)
• I didn't offer any teacher workshop in Glacier this August and opted instead to coordinate the Flathead Community of Resource Educator's Trunk Workshop on August 18, 2008 in Kalispell. I'm also doing a 3 hour, "Glacier 101" workshop on August 21, 2008 at the Earl Bennett Building in Kalispell. Information about both of these workshops can be found on the link to the right for our traveling trunks web page.
• I'm also offering to come to schools who would like a 3 hour workshop on any one of our traveling trunks. I'm hoping that these options meet the needs and schedules of more teachers. I do plan on conducting future teacher workshops in the park but am not sure the best time of year to have it. Let me know if you are interested in coming to the park and the type of information that would be most beneficial for you to receive.

I'm looking forward to an exciting year working with all of you to introduce students to the wonders of Glacier.