MDC hosts Discover Nature Schools teacher training workshops in Columbia

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Published Date
06/19/2017
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites teachers to attend an upcoming Discover Nature Schools teacher training workshop. These workshops provide free training for teachers interested in improving conservation education in their Missouri classroom, home-school class, or youth group. Upcoming training classes will take place 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the MDC Central Regional Office, 3500 East Gans Road in Columbia on the following dates:

  • July 14, Nature Unfolds, grades K-2 (register by July 11)
  • July 25, Nature Unleashed, grades 3-5 (register by July 21)
  • July 28, Nature Unbound, grades 9-12 (register by July 25)

“The Discover Nature Schools program is an excellent way to get students of all ages outside and to enrich their learning through outdoor experiences focused on Missouri plants, animals and natural systems,” said MDC Conservation Education Consultant Kim Cole.

These workshops will prepare educators to teach the hands-on, course level expectations-based unit for their grade. Teacher’s guides and classroom sets of student guides and science notebooks are provided for free, and eligible schools can receive non-competitive grants for field experiences and classroom materials that support the curriculum units. Space is limited and participants must register to attend the workshop. 

“Learning in nature benefits children in several ways, including improving physical and mental health, raising standardized test scores and reducing attention-deficit problems,” Cole said.

MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program provides no-cost curriculum units to teachers and schools in the state of Missouri. Curriculum units are available for preschool through 12th grade and are aligned with Missouri state standards in order to help teachers and students meet required learning expectations. 100% of school districts and approximately 40% of schools in the state participate in the Discover Nature Schools program.

For questions or to register for the workshop, contact Kim at Kim.Cole@mdc.mo.gov or 573-815-7900, ext. 2964.

For more information about MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Zk6.