This course is for K – 12 Teachers and meets professional development criteria for teaching skills. This course will provide an in depth look at Pennsylvania Songbirds in the Laurel Highlands area. This weekend long course is meant as a follow up to Pennsylvania Songbirds although PA Songbirds IS NOT a prerequisite. Our goal is to introduce teachers to all aspects of bird biology in the field.
Participants in this course will be asked to stay overnight at Ohiopyle State Park accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights. This workshop will involve long days and nights in the field observing and discussing birds and their biology. We will begin by watching the courtship dance of the woodcock the first evening. An early morning bird hike will begin the second day and will be followed by a trip to Powdermill’s bird banding station. While there we will have the opportunity to see real scientific research in action. From Powdermill we will head to the Spruce Flats bog where we will discuss and explore this amazing ecosystem. Our day continues as we return to Ohiopyle to do some additional birding and then following a dinner break we will head out for a nighttime quest for owls.
The final day of our workshop we will choose another trail in the park for bird observation. Along the way we will not only learn about the birds we are looking for but we will discuss the importance of all of the habitats and ecosystems we are visiting, human impacts on the environment, the decline of songbirds and the importance of the Pennsylvania breeding bird atlas. We will show participants how they can use the topic of birds to cross the curriculum and get kids outside using an animal they can readily see in their backyards and school yards.
The goal of the course is to assist participants and their students in developing awareness, knowledge, skills and a commitment to make informed decisions, which will lead to responsible behavior and attitudes towards our native wildlands. During this course we will be outside and on the go most of the time. There will be very little time spent sitting down. If you feel that you are not able or willing to be on your feet and hiking most of the day (distances will not be long and pace will be relatively slow), this course is not for you.
The $75 park fee for this class includes all of your meals, accommodations and shuttle services. (This course is also open to the general public who may participate without receiving credit. For more information about possible participation for no credit please contact Barbara Wallace at 724-329-0986 or eeohiopyle@qcol.net).
Class size for this course is very limited so please sign up early.
Participation in this program provides teachers with a knowledge and background related to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology; Science and Technology.
Participants must dress appropriately for outdoor activities and the weather. A list of recommended and permitted gear will be provided before the course.
Teachers will be required to submit a plan as to how they will use this information in their classroom. Participants will be assessed using a pre and post assessment. Scores on the post assessment must be at least 80%, and will complete a performance assessment. Out of class work will include a lesson plan.
