1. 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

2. About Casper College Walt Nolte, Ph.D. President

3. Casper, Wyoming

4. Casper College

10. Recently Completed

11. FA Student Union & UW/CC

12. Music Building

13. Casper College

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

17. 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

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

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

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

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

40. The Solution

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

42. Experiences

60. Service

67. Opportunities

71. 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)

72. “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

73. “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

74. “ 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

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

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

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

78. 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

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

80. Current

81. Growth Projection 2012-13 12 weeks of Fall programs 15 weeks of Spring programs 800-900 students Facilities Weather Station – 2012 Shower House – 2013 Land

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