Academic Themes

We strive to meet the individual academic and personal growth goals of each school group by offering a variety of science curriculum themes based on Colorado state standards.  Our diverse programs are designed to bring students out into the field, where they can experience real-world, hands-on environmental sciences.  Our action-based education brings science to life, enriching and engaging students of all ages.

Teachers have the option of selecting one or more academic themes along with the teaching approach  they prefer. Once these options are selected, a progression of activities will be selected based on the teachers prioritization of learning goals. There are also several options of incorporating your chosen academic theme into your classroom. Upon request, you will be given a selection of grade-appropriate activities that will create a greater depth of learning for your students.

Themes

• Forest Ecology is an in-depth study of local Colorado ecosystems.  Students explore wildlife and plant ecology, adaptations, tracks and signs, and the complex system by which all things in an ecosystem are connected.
   
• Snow Science delves into the physics of snow and how it changes over time.  We travel through safe winter terrain on cross-country skis or snowshoes, introducing students to the mountain winter environment. Students dig snow pits and use scientific tools to make observations about the snow, collect data, and learn about avalanches and watersheds.  We often combine snow science with research, as it's a fantastic venue for the introduction and review of the scientific method.
   
• Aquatic Ecology examines how all things in aquatic ecosystems are connected.  Through chemical, biological, and physical water testing, we introduce students to the aquatic environment. They'll hunt for aquatic macro invertebrates, measure the rate at which a stream flows, and test for levels of dissolved oxygen.  Throughout each activity, students learn how to think critically about what their findings might imply about the health of the environment they're exploring.
   
• Earth Science. We begin small, studying the very minerals that form the foundation of the world around us. Students break rocks open to examine what’s inside and draw the landforms they see as we hike through the Rocky Mountains. Putting together puzzles of tectonic plates, they learn how the earth is made and how it moves.
   
• Space Science. At night, students can step outside to our state-of-the-art telescope observatory and explore the solar system and universe that surrounds us.  Astronomy evening programs provide a popular complement to our other academic themes.
   
• Environmental Issues. This unique series of curricula explore current local environmental dilemmas.  We begin by teaching students the ecological, political, and public policy history surrounding the issue in question, and then assign each student the role of a stakeholder, each representing a different position or belief.  Students come to a “Town Meeting” in character and discuss the problem, working together to develop an action plan towards a solution.  Current Enviromental Issues curricula include Fire Ecology, Wolf Management, Mining and Water Quality, and Mountain Pine Beetle.