Summary
KBNERR worked with dedicated teachers and community partners, training them for hands-on science in the classroom while bringing resources and art to their schools to build on past knowledge for future generations.
Thanks to funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Grant, the Research Reserve took a new approach to their Teacher Training on the Estuary (TOTE) this fall, and focused on collaborating with multiple local and national partners to expand the opportunity for teacher partnerships. The training focused on the recent KBNERR peatland, groundwater, and beaver site monitoring. On day one, visiting scientists from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) brought their knowledge of peatland plants, in particular native Alaskan orchids and the Pratt Museum shared their expertise in local plant communities through their gardens and collections. Teachers were able to tour the museum, visit collections, and learn about the local plant propagation efforts on site and learn local knowledge from Argent Kvasnikov. In the afternoon, we were treated to a tour of the Effler Fen with Kachemak Heritage Land Trust to discuss how science and education can lead to conservation outcomes such as land preservation. On day two, teachers traveled to the Cook Inletkeeper community lab, where they learned how to use sterile lab methods and other skills transferable to the classroom, and trained on SERC Orchids in the Classroom protocols. After lunch, teachers visited the Wynn Nature Center with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. Here they learned nature journaling techniques and participated in a celebration of peatlands through art with Kim McNett. Teachers from Nanwalek, Homer Flex, and McNeil Elementary participated in the two-day training. We are excited to expand our KBNERR Education Program into these schools during the upcoming school year!
