USING FOSSIL PARKS AS A RESOURCE FOR PALEONTOLOGY EDUCATION

Paleontology-based parks are widely distributed in the U.S. The eastern part of the country has a number of localities. Are you taking advantage of all that the park has to offer, both natural resources and the knowledgeable staff? There are methods of working with these parks that provides a win-win opportunity for the student, teacher, park resources and staff. Consider these possibilities: develop a relationship with park education and resource management staff; schedule your visit, don’t just drop in; share information; partner with the park to improve educational training of staff and elementary / secondary teachers; look at innovative ways of connecting the park to the wider scope of earth science education. This presentation will focus on programs using the Falls of the Ohio State Park, Clarksville, Indiana, as an example. They can be applied at virtually any park that preserves fossil exposures.