WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY’S COREKIDS PROGRAM: K-12 OUTREACH USING STUDENT EDUCATORS

The Western Michigan University (WMU) CoreKids program is the K-12 outreach arm of the Geology Department, Michigan Geological Repository and Michigan Geological Survey. The program started in 2007 to assist WMU and Michigan teachers in assuring that K-12 students are exposed to concepts that are an accurate understanding of our planet and its processes. Initially the program served schools with in-class activities and Earth-science related content. Another aspect of the program was teacher training through workshops and joint activities with local teachers associations. As the program grew, it added events with allied partners including Museums, Amateur Mineral Collecting Groups, and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. These events included science fairs, mineral shows, field trips to campus, and other community events.

The CoreKids program was initially funded through private foundation gifts (DTE Energy and Consumers Energy), as well as funding from a U.S. Department of Energy grant. The current funding model uses a combination of Survey and Department funds as well as donations from alumni and local professional societies. This decrease in funding has led to a focus on larger events.

The CoreKids program provides modules in a wide variety of geological topics including Michigan’s Natural History, Environmental Geology, Shale Energy, Natural Hazards, etc. We train our CoreKids Educators to present these modules. These modules include brief presentations, both guided and un-guided hands-on activities, and samples (rocks, minerals, fossils) for observation. Activities are keyed to Michigan’s Science Standards and allow teachers to choose modules that fit their grade level and syllabus. At larger events, our CoreKids Student Educators run hands-on activities in a booth format allowing a large number of K-12 students, teachers, and the general public to observe, play, and learn with geologic materials. Relying on Student Educators, provides important training to our department’s students – with abundant practice in geologic communication.

CoreKids has provided over 105,000 children, teachers, and adults with quality Earth Science content since 2007. We would not be able to provide this service without the assistance of a number of talented undergraduate and graduate Student Educators.