How could a “virtual field activity” work in your science classroom? What elements would it need to be a successful addition to your curriculum? Join geologists and paleontologists from the Saint Louis Science Center as they seek your feedback on a pilot “virtual field activity” program they are developing as part of their Paleotrek program in Montana. Help the experts plan future virtual field trips that your students could be a part of. Partner with other science educators from across the country in a professional conversation about what has worked with field activities in your classroom and what you’d like to do even better.We are offering three different videoconference sessions for your participation. Each of the sessions will include:
- Interaction with geologists, paleontologists, and teachers participating in the Saint Louis Science Center’s Paleotrek program in Montana
- Participation in “virtual” field activities taught by geologists and paleontologists from the Saint Louis Science Center during their field program, Paleotrek, in Montana
- Sharing your successful field activities with teachers engaged in the conference
- Professional conversation on how best to include field activities in the science classroom
- Professional conversation about the strengths and weaknesses of “virtual” field activity experiences and how best to incorporate them into the science classroom
- Evaluation of the “virtual” field activity you participated in
You are invited to join any or all of our videoconferences. Please look over the dates and times below and see which professional conversation and virtual field activity pilot experience works best for you to join. Know other colleagues who might be interested also? Be sure to share this information with them.
Tuesday, June 17—11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight TimeVirtual Field Trip Activity: Go to the Science Center’s Montana field site. Learn about the use of topographical maps, fossil identification and prospecting in the Montana badlands.
Wednesday, June 18—11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight TimeVirtual Field Trip Activity: Participate as the Science Center explores fossil microsites. Interact as they prospect and collect the fossils that make up microsites.
Thursday, June 19—11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight TimeVirtual Field Trip Activity: Engage in field orienteering using GPS technology. Interact with Science Center experts and teachers as they excavate an actual dinosaur fossil.
Program Format
- Interaction with geologists, paleontologists, and teachers participating in the Saint Louis Science Center’s Paleotrek program in Montana
- Participation in “virtual” field activities taught by geologists and paleontologists from the Saint Louis Science Center during their field program, Paleotrek, in Montana
- Sharing your successful field activities with teachers engaged in the conference
- Professional conversation on how best to include field activities in the science classroom
- Professional conversation about the strengths and weaknesses of “virtual” field activity experiences and how best to incorporate them into the science classroom
- Evaluation of the “virtual” field activity you participated in
