This pilot project is designed to expand and improve the Berea science education program by providing 30 teachers in grades 1-5/6 schools with training and support that will enable them to extend elementary science curriculum to the outdoors. The Cleveland Metroparks System will offer their excellent facilities for the program. Naturalists from the park staff as well as university science educators will serve as instructors in this multifaceted program. Teachers will work for two weeks in a workshop setting which will include upgrading content on basic ecological concepts, discussions of grade level teaching strategies, and actual field work in the park system. Each teacher and a staff member will develop a unit plan for class field trips. Review sessions will be held in the winter to share experiences and plans for the spring field trips. Following the academic year, the program will be evaluated and the participating teachers will develop Field Trip Curriculum Guides for each grade level, 1-5. These guides will enable other school systems to provide adequate outdoor science education to their students through effective use of their park systems.
