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Xplor reconnects kids to nature and helps them find adventure in their own backyard. Free to residents of Missouri.
A monthly publication about conservation in Missouri. Started in 1938, the printed magazine is free to residents of Missouri.
ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites K-2 teachers to an upcoming workshop that will provide free training on improving conservation education in their classrooms, home-school classes, or youth groups. The Discover Nature Schools: Nature Unfolds workshop will take place on Friday, March 30, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the MDC St. Louis Regional Office at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, 2360 Highway D in St. Charles.
“The Discover Nature Schools program is an excellent way to get students of all ages outside and to enrich their learning through outdoor experiences focused on Missouri plants, animals and natural systems,” said MDC Conservation Education Consultant Kim Cole.
This workshop will prepare educators to teach Nature Unfolds, the hands-on, standards-based unit for grades K-2. Teacher’s guides and classroom sets of student guides and science notebooks are provided for free, and eligible schools can receive non-competitive grants for field experiences and classroom materials that support Nature Unfolds. Space is limited and participants must register by March 27 to ensure enough supplies.
“Learning in nature benefits children in several ways, including improving physical and mental health, improving standardized test scores, reducing attention-deficit problems and teaching problem-solving and other higher-order thinking skills,” Cole said.
MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program provides no-cost curriculum units to teachers and schools in the state of Missouri. Curriculum units are available for preschool through 12th grade and are aligned with current Missouri Learning Standards in order to help teachers and students meet required learning expectations. 100% of school districts and approximately 40% of schools in the state participate in the program.
To register for the workshop, visit the Teacher Portal: https://goo.gl/4o6sdm.
For questions about the workshop or more information about MDC’s Discover Nature Schools program, contact Kim at Kim.Cole@mdc.mo.gov or 636-300-1953, ext. 4126 or visit https://mdc.mo.gov/education
