NPS Photo
A ranger presents a distance learning video conference.
Distance Learning Programs
Badlands National Park conducts interactive classroom presentations through distance learning video conferences. Schools with video conferencing dial the park's IP address (64.251.168.34) or Skype account at the scheduled time to connect with a ranger.
A test connection must be arranged before your scheduled presentation.
Programs will resume in late October for the 2011-12 school year. Complete a reservation request form to schedule a program.
Teachers who have scheduled a Distance Learning Video Conference ranger program should prepare their students accordingly. Students should have some understanding of Badlands National Park (location, mission, ecosystem) and some general background knowledge related to their program topic. Teachers may use materials provided from the links below, the specific pre-visit lesson plans, or their own lessons to prepare students.
Background Information & Additional Resources
K-12 Badlands Virtual Experience
K-12 Curriculum Materials
K-12 Badlands in Brief Video Podcasts
3-6 Badlands WebQuest
Grades 1-5: Time Travel with Fossils
Badlands National Park protects rich fossil beds that contain evidence of ancient life. The fossils include marine creatures that lived from 74 to 65 million years ago and ancient mammals that lived from 37 to 25 million years ago. Students will make inferences about ancient animals and environments based on the fossil evidence presented to them. (30-45 minutes)
Pre-conference Materials:
Teacher Background Information
What Color Was I? Lesson Plan (5.6 MB PDF)
Fossil Trading Cards (1.84 MB)
Secrets of the Past Video Lesson
Kylie's Fossil Find Lesson Plan & Scripted PowerPoint
Grades 3-4: Bison Banquet
Badlands National Park is home to a population of approximately 800 bison. Learn about the bison's natural and cultural history as you explore the many traditional Native American uses of the bison. Students will see bison parts and brainstorm possible uses for these items. (45 minutes)
Pre-conference Materials:
Teacher's Background Information (79 KB PDF)
A Bison's Lunch Lesson Plan (232 KB PDF)
Bison by the Numbers Lesson Plan (105 KB PDF)
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo Handout (520 KB PDF)
Post-conference Materials:
Traditional Uses of Tatanka PowerPoints
Grades 6-8: Layers of Sedimentary Rocks
The Badlands are layers of sedimentary rocks sculpted by the geologic forces of deposition, weathering, and erosion. Learn how ancient environments like rivers, flood plains, and an ocean deposited the rock layers that we see today. The ranger will point out geologic features easily observed from the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Fossil evidence found within the Badlands layers will be displayed and discussed. (45 minutes)
Pre-conference Materials:
Teacher Background Information
Badlands Layers Worksheet (60 KB PDF)
Secrets of the Past Video Lesson
