FIELD INVESTIGATIONS IN THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE COLORADO PLATEAUX AND BASIN AND RANGE: A 10-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

A positive field experience is essential to gaining basic skills in, and a working knowledge of the natural sciences. These skills, and this body of knowledge, are essential to understanding and teaching natural sciences in a K-12 setting. To help ensure that in-service science teachers in Garfield, Kane, and Washington counties, Utah, have access to science-based continuing education, the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association, in partnership with Southern Utah University scientists, has conducted summer field experiences for K-12 educators for the past ten years. During these field seminars, in-service teachers observe the rich and diverse natural history of the Colorado Plateaux, Basin and Range, and transition zone. It has long been accepted that field trips and conferences are important components of scientific meetings, because they integrate scientific knowledge with concrete experiences. Unfortunately, many K-12 educators, with limited training in lab-oriented sciences, are unfamiliar with the applied aspects of the various natural sciences. The annual field seminar teaches science content in a natural setting, so that K-12 educators are provided with a baseline background in field studies. The field seminar occurs in an informal setting, which makes it a forum for frequent, spontaneous, discussion. One of the seminar requirements is the preparation of science units for classroom use after the field experience. Teachers who participate benefit from the opportunity to collect samples, take photographs, and to develop these classroom exercises.