Science Saturday Ӏ Ready, Set. . . WILD!
Get ready to satisfy your curiosity because Science Saturday went WILD! During this month’s program, the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas’ NOAA fellow, Kenny Douyon, interviewed Territorial Parks Communications Specialist, Chantelle Quiñones, about Project WILD’s K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide. As the Territorial Coordinator, Chantelle shared insights into Project WILD, which is administered nationally by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).
Project WILD provides resources for both formal and nonformal educators, equipping them with the tools they need to teach students how to think, not what to think. The interdisciplinary curriculum places environmental education at the center of learning, encouraging students to investigate the natural world, starting right in their own backyard. Facilitators promote sustainable behaviors and cover topics such as wildlife conservation, pollution, and waste reduction. Lessons align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). They give students opportunities to conduct field investigations and engage in “Wild Work” experiences that may spark or expand their career interests.
Educators from local public, parochial, and private schools as well as nonformal educators from other organizations may be eligible to become facilitators. Participants engage in hands-on, interactive activities that connect them with wildlife and environmental themes. By the end of the training, educators will understand how to integrate Project WILD lessons into camps, outreach programs, exhibits, and other educational settings. Group discussions during the facilitator workshops also encourage participants to share strategies for using Project WILD effectively in diverse learning environments.
If you would like to learn more about Project WILD and opportunities for local facilitator workshops, click the link below to watch the full presentation with Kenny and Chantelle.
Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Watch the full interview on the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Facebook page or the Science Saturday YouTube playlist.
