Regional Science Center

Philosophy

Authentic science research opportunities promote a number of qualities that enhance the learning environment, increase environmental awareness on the part of all students and prepare students for careers in science. These qualities include:

· Team work. In real life, projects and ideas are not isolated matters. Many different

disciplines come into play. Students realize the importance of team work when they

collaborate with one another and with outside experts to gain the best possible results in

their field research.

· Student ownership of learning. By collaborating on a long term project which is important to

them - a problem they can relate to - students are motivated to learn and to do quality

research. Through sharing their findings with experts and the community, they feel

empowered- that they do make a difference in local and world problem solving.

· Confidence building. Students gain confidence not only about their abilities to conduct field

research, but also their skills at communicating effectively, using technology appropriately,

and writing, analyzing and thinking critically.

· Stewards of the earth. Students who get to know a wildlife population well, who share the

information they have gathered in an objective way with their community, and who see that

their work has an impact in public policy, are students who understand more completely

their responsibility for better wildlife management. Opportunities go beyond the classroom

and the extracurricular activities outlined for this project. By the time students apply to

colleges or for jobs, they will have a remarkable track record of their own. This is an

opportunity rarely available in the science disciplines.