Virtual Session1. Welcome and Framing the Session (0–10 minutes)
Content:
Introduce the concept of national parks as living classrooms.
Share examples of park-based educational opportunities (virtual tours, digital archives, ranger programs).
Briefly introduce the ISTE principles of authentic experiences and connecting learning to the learner.
Engagement:
Quick poll or word cloud: “What comes to mind when you think of learning in national parks?”
Participants share prior experiences with field-based or place-based learning.
Process:
Use an interactive poll tool (Mentimeter, Padlet) for instant feedback and collective reflection.
2. Exploring National Park Resources (10–25 minutes)
Content:
Demonstrate how to locate and navigate key digital tools and repositories (NPS Educator Portal, virtual field trips, citizen science apps, StoryMaps).
Model how to align these resources to content standards and inquiry-based frameworks.
Engagement:
Participants work in pairs or small groups to explore one online national park resource using their devices.
Groups identify potential curriculum connections and share one takeaway via chat or a shared Jamboard.
Process:
Peer-to-peer interaction every 5 minutes through discussion prompts and digital collaboration.
Facilitator circulates (or monitors online chat) to guide exploration and highlight creative examples.
3. Designing Authentic, Learner-Driven Experiences (25–45 minutes)
Content:
Discuss strategies for adapting park-based materials to meet diverse learning needs and styles.
Showcase examples of student-centered projects (digital storytelling, inquiry investigations, multimedia exhibits).
Engagement:
Participants use a structured design template to begin drafting a lesson or project idea incorporating park resources.
Peer feedback exchange: participants share drafts and provide quick “two stars and a wish” comments.
Process:
Frequent check-ins and prompts every 5–7 minutes.
Facilitator models differentiation strategies and shares success stories.
4. Sharing and Reflection (45–55 minutes)
Content:
Groups briefly share their draft project ideas and key takeaways.
Discuss how these experiences align to ISTE standards and transformational learning principles.
Engagement:
Participants post summaries or visuals of their project ideas on a shared Padlet wall.
Whole-group reflection: “How does this connect learning to your students’ interests and experiences?”
Process:
Peer-to-peer interaction and collaborative gallery walk (digital or physical).
5. Wrap-Up and Resources (55–60 minutes)
Content:
Provide a curated list of national park educational links, planning templates, and ISTE-aligned lesson design tools.
Reinforce key takeaways: authenticity, learner connection, and digital integration.
Engagement:
Exit ticket: Participants identify one resource or idea they’ll implement next week.
Process:
Use an online survey or QR code form to collect responses and encourage post-session reflection.
Participants will be able to identify and access a wide range of educational resources available through U.S. national parks, including digital archives, multimedia tools, and ranger-led programs.
Participants will be able to align these resources with their curriculum goals to design authentic, learner-driven lessons that connect classroom content to real-world contexts.
Participants will practice strategies for adapting park-based materials to accommodate learner variability and diverse learning needs. They will also learn how to guide students in curating digital resources, constructing knowledge, and creating original artifacts that demonstrate understanding.
https://iste.org/products/a1wVb00000015ldIAA/NATPRK---The-National-Park-Classroom
https://www.edutopia.org/article/essential-national-parks-resources-teachers
https://www.edutopia.org/article/creative-student-engagement-stategies-inspired-park-rangers
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-national-parks-support-pbl
https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-and-why-i-teach-park-ranger
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