A Camper's Perspective!

(Guest Blogger: Jen Shileny, Illinois)
Participating in STEAM in the PARK last year at Bryce Canyon really inspired me to bring the national parks into my 4th grade classroom this year. My students were each assigned a park to research. They wrote letters to their park asking for information and brochures, researched plants, animals, environmental issues, and things to do at each of their parks. Students then took that information and created a brochure for their park and either a "billboard" or commercial persuading people to visit their park. Students took turn presenting to our class. We finished up the project last week by inviting parents and other students in to a big national park extravaganza. Students wrote facts about each park and earned "cancellation stamps" that we designed as they visited each student's station. Parents were also invited to collect cancellations stamps in their own passport books! What an amazing experience we all had. Students brought home their free 4th grade national park passes, and are all excited to begin exploring! Teacher Jen from Illinois

Thanks, Jen for making a difference!