Attention Penn State Students!
If you’re interested in learning about and/or teaching about the natural world, then Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center has some courses for you this spring that are still open for enrollment:
RPTM 297G: Maple Harvest Festival (2 credits)
Course Dates: Tuesdays, February 15: 6:00–7:30 p.m., February 22: 6:00–8:00 p.m., March 1: 3:00–6:30 p.m., March 15: 6:00–8:00 p.m., March 22: 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Sat. OR Sun., March 26 or 27th: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: 808 Ford Bldg & Shaver’s Creek (see website for full details)
Description: An experiential course that will teach you: How to identify and tap sugar maple trees; Historical and modern methods for collecting and boiling sap into maple syrup; Interpretive methods for teaching the art of maple sugaring to the general public during a community festival; Outdoor, experiential and team teaching techniques. There will also be a March field trip to a local Sugar Bush.
For more info: Contact Laurie McLaughlin at lfm1@psu.edu
To register: Contact Tammi Richard at tyr1@psu.edu or 863-2000
RPTM 497F: Project WILD (1 credit)
Course Date: February 26, 2011, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
Description: Project WILD is one of the most widely used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. The program emphasizes wildlife because of their intrinsic, ecological value, as well as their role in teaching how ecosystems function. In the face of competing needs and pressures affecting the quality and sustainability of life on earth, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet. It is based on the premise that young people and educators have a vital interest in learning about our natural world.
The activities found in Project WILD instructional materials are intended for use in both classroom and informal settings. The instructional materials are designed to support state and national academic standards appropriate for grades K-12. The activities can easily be adapted to meet the learning requirements for academic disciplines ranging from science and environmental education to social studies, math, and language arts. Educators may choose one or more Project WILD activities to teach a concept or skill. The activities may be integrated into existing courses of study, or an entire set of activities may serve effectively as the basis for a specific course.
For more info: Contact George Vahoviak at grv1@psu.edu
To register: Registration cannot be done via eLion. Students must register for space in the class by emailing their request to George Vahoviak at grv1@psu.edu. Credit is available through Continuing Education (at NO COST to full time students.) Shaver’s Creek will register students for this credit, given student names/numbers.
RPTM 497Fa: PA Reptiles & Amphibians (1 credit)
Course Date: April 3, 2011, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
Description: Facts About PA Reptiles and Amphibians
Participants in the PA Reptiles & Amphibians workshop will receive a copy of the new curriculum guide: Pennsylvania Amphibians and Reptiles, developed by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. The Amphibians and Reptile Curriculum guide is a multi-disciplinary curriculum designed for classroom educators, K – 12. The guide is divided into four units: Awareness (basic biology), Identification, Habitat, and Responsible Human Action. Participants will also get an introduction to the biology, ecology and identification of PA’s herps. A take home assignment will complete the course requirements.
For more info: Contact George Vahoviak at grv1@psu.edu
To register: Registration cannot be done via eLion. Students must register for space in the class by emailing their request to George Vahoviak at grv1@psu.edu. Credit is available through Continuing Education (at NO COST to full time students.) Shaver’s Creek will register students for this credit, given student names/numbers.
RPTM 498C: Interpretation of Natural Resources (2 credits)
Course Dates: Thursdays, 6:30–8:30 pm, starting February 10, 2011
Location: Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center
Description: This course will increase your skill and confidence in creating and presenting programs focusing on our natural world. The practical and hands-on material uses principles and techniques you can apply to a wide range of audiences in and out of a park setting.
The accompanying Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training will meet the requirements for you to earn this certification from the National Association for Interpretation. Hundreds of different organizations recognize the CIG credentials including US Fish &Wildlife Service, National Audubon, Bureau of Land Management, & National Park Service.
For more info: Contact Doug Wentzel at djw105@psu.edu
To register: Registration can be done through eLion or by emailing Doug Wentzel at djw105@psu.edu.
Call us at 814-863-2000 or email ShaversCreek@outreach.psu.edu with any questions. Visit http://www.outreach.psu.edu/shaverscreek/index-courses.html for a list of courses that Shaver’s Creek offers.