CA Kids Take Course In Nature
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August 17, 2009
Yosemite National Park, CA - California kids going back to school are sharing stories of what they did on summer vacation. One group of teens has a unique story to tell. These high school students took a field research course in Yosemite and became young scientists for the National Park Service.
Dr. Adam Burns leads the student research projects at NatureBridge, and says, sadly, young people aren't connecting with nature in the same way as past generations.
"We're trying to the be antidote to that. We're trying to put students safely in the natural world in ways that they can explore it and find ways that it's relevant to them with the aim of inspiring stewardship."
High School student Arianna Kosel, from Mt. Shasta, found the program very motivating.
"Instead of dreading doing the field work, we were all really excited to go out and study the plants and learn. I think it made the entire process much easier and enjoyable."
Technology-giant Intel has contributed funds that are matched by the federal government. Mark Pettinger, Intel's manager of external affairs, says technology has a place in the national parks.
"It's pretty huge that an organization like NatureBridge can facilitate that these students are getting hands-on science experience and they are able to share their findings with the National Park research scientists and contribute their data."
For the past two years, Congress provided funding for this national program, but future funding is uncertain. Dr. Burns says the education program is reaching only a fraction of students that could be served by this public-private partnership and he hopes Congress will continue to support it.
More information is available at www.naturebridge.org.