Casper Mountain Science School A Model for Partnerships and Innovation Kathy Dolan Chair, Board of Trustees, Casper College Susan Miller Chair, Central Wyoming BOCES Trustee, Casper College Walt Nolte, Ph.D. President, Casper College Evert Brown Director, Casper Mountain Science School; Biology Faculty, Casper College

About Casper College Walt Nolte, Ph.D. President

Casper, Wyoming

Casper College

Recently Completed

FA Student Union & UW/CC

Music Building

Casper College

Development of the CMSS Idea Evert Brown, Ph.D. Director, Casper Mountain Science School; Biology Faculty, Casper College

The Situation “Our society is teaching young people to avoid direct experience in nature.” Richard Louv “I like to play indoors better ‘cause that’s where all the electric outlets are.” San Diego fourth-grader “I have lived in Casper all my life, and I’ve never been on Casper Mountain before, this place is neat.” Casper Graduating Senior “I’m uncomfortable teaching in the outdoors, you never know what will happen.” Education major

Learning …a change of behavior or abilities based upon experiences…

Existing Community Partnerships Kathy Dolan Chair, Board of Trustees, Casper College

History of Casper Mountain Science School Susan Miller Chair, Central Wyoming BOCES Trustee, Casper College

The CMSS Today Evert Brown, Ph.D. Director, Casper Mountain Science School; Biology Faculty, Casper College

The Solution

Program Design College Students –Casper College –University of Wyoming –Student Conservation Association District Students Local Partners –BOCES –Girl Scouts –County –Planetarium

Experiences

Service

Opportunities

What the Community is Saying “It was fun. School isn’t but this was.” (8th grader) “This helped my daughter to see how much she has to offer.” (Parent) “With a program like this, we can hook at-risk kids who aren’t successful in traditional schooling and are hungry for something different.” (Teacher) “… the best thing from an educator’s perspective is getting kids outside doing real world science. Mentoring between NCSD students and college students can be positive for both sides.” (administrator/board member)

“It’s an opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge and share their interest in that field. Anytime a student can apply what they are learning, it will enrich their own education.” ( UWCC administrator) “I’m a much stronger teacher than I thought I would be. I learned that I really enjoy teaching. I’m a lot more knowledgeable than I thought I was.” (CC Student) What the Community is Saying

“Learning on the mountain was a great experience on which the setting made a big impact. Touching and listening to the subject is an upgrade from classroom life.” (8th Grade Student) What the Community is Saying

“ The program was based on fun, specifically making learning fun, nature fun, and people fun. The staff and students wanted to be there which opened a lot of doors to education, unlike school.” (8th Grade Student) What the Community is Saying

“The most valuable thing I learned was to respect the outdoors.” (8th Grade Student) What the Community is Saying

Report Year 1 Students served –Middle Schools –Elementary Schools –Home Schools –At Risk Expected – 500 students Actual – 639 students School groups – 21

Report Year 1 Students –College experience – CEU –Longitudinal Study Program Days –67/100

Outcomes Student Conservation Association –5,400 volunteer hours –Education Interns (12) 2 in graduate schools 3 working for NPOs 1 teaching overseas 2 unknown 1 in education program in Wyoming 2 working for resource agencies 1 outdoor career (Outward Bound) 1 seeking a second degree in education

Outcomes College & University –Biology Courses Ecology Flora –Education Courses –Mathematics –Earth Sciences

Current

Growth Projection weeks of Fall programs 15 weeks of Spring programs students Facilities Weather Station – 2012 Shower House – 2013 Land

Questions/Followup Presentation, contacts and links at caspercollege.edu/cmss