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KIRKWOOD, Mo.– The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program is a win-win opportunity for both educators and students. It provides high quality science units designed to meet the needs of teachers while preparing Missouri's students to become life-long conservationists through hands-on experiences in nature.
To help qualify area elementary teachers to receive grant funds supporting DNS Nature Unfolds, the DNS unit designed for grades K-2, MDC is presenting a DNS workshop Saturday, Oct. 2 at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in Kirkwood. The workshop will focus exclusively on the k-2 unit and run from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Participants should dress prepared for portions of this workshop which will take place outdoors.
Nature Unfolds introduces young students to the life cycles, seasons, weather, and basic needs of plants and animals. “This unit not only supports the learning standards, but there are other health, well-being, and academic benefits to students who spend time in the outdoors as part of the school curriculum,” said MDC Conservation Educator David Bruns.
The unit includes teacher guides, engaging books for the students, and field investigations that emphasize science practices and are correlated with current curriculum standards.
The workshop will also cover procedures for participation in the DNS grant program that provides funding for science equipment, outdoor classrooms and field experiences related to the units.
The DNS Nature Unfolds workshop is free but advance registration is required. To sign up for the workshops, go to the MDC Teacher Portal at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zyd and log in with account credentials. To create a new account, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZyP.
As this is an in-person activity, MDC asks all participants to observe current local COVID-19 social distancing and masking guidelines. Bringing and wearing face coverings is encouraged when appropriate.
Powder Valley is located at 11715 Cragwold Road, near the intersection of I-44 and I-270.
The MDC Teacher Portal is designed to provide the highest quality service to Missouri’s educators who are interested in teaching their students about Missouri ecology and conservation.
