Post by Sharon Faulkner on Dec 8, 2006 10:14:13 GMT -5
NPS offers a virtual delight
12/07/2006
Twenty-five years ago, there were two ways for school children around the country to experience Carlsbad Caverns: to visit in person, or read about it.
Technology has created a new opportunity to teach students today about the natural wonder in our own backyard, and the National Park Service is taking full advantage of this new avenue. Next week, the National Park Service will host the third electronic field trip of the year.
The first two virtual field trips brought in 37 million viewers in a collaborative effort with Ball State University.
This trip focuses on geology and is titled "Caves: An Underground Wonderland." It will teach students basic geology concepts, how and why caves are important resources, and offer a glimpse into the caverns. It includes a virtual visit through a multi-media interactive Web experience for students to work on at their own pace; a worksheet called a "Trip Journal" that the teachers have students fill out when the visit is over; and a session called "Ask the Expert." Between Dec. 13-15, students can post questions and expect answers within one or two days.
In January, the students can participate in a live chat with a park ranger. These field trips can be taken as a class or from home, opening the door of opportunity to any student with access to a computer and the Internet. There is no cost to register.
Kudos to the Park Service and the local organizers who have opened the caves to students of the world. It's a big step in not only educating students about geology in an captivating way, it also recruits the next generation to understand, explore and preserve the natural wonder we own in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
www.currentargus.com/ci_4800270
12/07/2006
Twenty-five years ago, there were two ways for school children around the country to experience Carlsbad Caverns: to visit in person, or read about it.
Technology has created a new opportunity to teach students today about the natural wonder in our own backyard, and the National Park Service is taking full advantage of this new avenue. Next week, the National Park Service will host the third electronic field trip of the year.
The first two virtual field trips brought in 37 million viewers in a collaborative effort with Ball State University.
This trip focuses on geology and is titled "Caves: An Underground Wonderland." It will teach students basic geology concepts, how and why caves are important resources, and offer a glimpse into the caverns. It includes a virtual visit through a multi-media interactive Web experience for students to work on at their own pace; a worksheet called a "Trip Journal" that the teachers have students fill out when the visit is over; and a session called "Ask the Expert." Between Dec. 13-15, students can post questions and expect answers within one or two days.
In January, the students can participate in a live chat with a park ranger. These field trips can be taken as a class or from home, opening the door of opportunity to any student with access to a computer and the Internet. There is no cost to register.
Kudos to the Park Service and the local organizers who have opened the caves to students of the world. It's a big step in not only educating students about geology in an captivating way, it also recruits the next generation to understand, explore and preserve the natural wonder we own in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
www.currentargus.com/ci_4800270
