1. Using National Parks for Problem Based Learning (PBL) in an Introductory Earth System Science Course for Non-majors Mark Turski Plymouth State University Department of Environmental Science and Policy

2. NPS in the classroom Hazardous Earth – Yellowstone Supervolcano (2005, BBC) – Analyze movie – Your First REAL Job Several cities located within sphere of influence Managing the Earths Resources – Yellowstone Save Our History: Yellowstone – History Channel National Geographic (Oct. 2006) Yellowstone Fires – IGES/ESSEA/CTE – Your Parks Budget (NPS – Martin, 1964)

4. ESS Analysis from the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) E > H Ash from the fires fell into the ponds, lakes, and streams. A > B > E I read that more than eight weeks of warm to hot, low humidity air masses drew moisture out of grasses and trees in Yellowstone National Park prior to the 1988 fires. (http://oz.plymouth.edu/~essea/5-8/coutline/week3a.html)

5. Saving Your Parks Budget and Your JOB! Task & Scenario You are to work in a group (1-4) and pick a National Park. Your group will prepare a 15-minute PowerPoint telling the class about the park (it must be a park, not a forest or a historical site). Your goal is to convince the park service financial director (ME!) that your park should not see its budget cut because of all the benefits it provides on its current shoestring budget.

6. National Park Guide It is a NP for some reason Animal, Plants, Geology, recreational – maybe all four You should tell what is important, dont just list 50 animals, plants or rocks. Highlight endangered species, unique geology …. – remember using some emotional appeal is important. This is the area where Historical significance if it has one, might be very important. DO NOT give me the history of the national park service. Check county/state for economic impacts Where would you stay, eat, and are their other things to do? Fun stuff like Clarks Trading Post with dancing bears. Maybe your park offers some unique lodging or dining – Iguana cooked on hot lava in taro leaves with pineapple wine? The only hotel built of radioactive rocks. You should use Google Earth or maps to examine an area at least 40 miles outside the park. This is ~ an hours drive.

7. Is it involved in any controversy?Where is it? Rt. 89 off Interstate 90Where is it on a map? ->Cost to get in?Access – too much, too little, ADA? How do I get there? Do I need to call? Do I need a special permit? Will my prison radio ankle bracelet work there?The brochure should be the highlights – you want it clean but with all the important information. NOTE: This is not a complete list of what may be in your presentation or brochure. You may have other things or you may not have some things.

8. Rubrics

9. Issues? They tend to pick places one of the group members has visited Well known Close to home Park Homepages at NPS Top Picks – Grand Canyon – Acadia – Great Smoky Mountains Not savvy on the socio- economics – Loveland

10. NPS Nice picture but a little hard to read It doesnt look like this on my computer!

12. (NPS Albert Bierstadt)

13. Favorite Assignment All want to visit their park All want to visit at least one of the others covered Most want to collect lava! I cant imagine where they got that dumb idea?

14. The Turski kids thank the NPS for 50 years of enjoyment.