Learning in the Field - It is Essential
This year, with help from Cimarron Middle School sixth grade science teachers and the Douglas County Conservation District, CALF launched a new program all about Water!
Over 300 sixth graders learned about Colorado water law and agricultural water use; role-played as competing water users in an imaginary watershed; planted riparian plants to help restore CALF's stream corridor; collected and identified macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream health; and collected water samples to analyze back in their classroom. This science-based program joins the list of CALF's standards based, learning in the field programs.
Field Trips are Important
"Field trips have a powerful effect on student learning as they give them the opportunity to learn in a natural environment and experience things first-hand," offers Sally, Larkspur Elementary School teacher.
Everyday, teachers tell us that field trips are important to student learning. Similarly, we know how important it is for CALF to share authentic experiences to help students and adults better understand agriculture and its essential place in everyday life. Our experiences from the last few years leave us concerned about budget cuts and other issues that continue to limit some schools and programs from participating in field trips.
This year, 46 schools/programs and more than 1,600 learners participated in CALF field trips.
Over 300 sixth graders learned about Colorado water law and agricultural water use; role-played as competing water users in an imaginary watershed; planted riparian plants to help restore CALF's stream corridor; collected and identified macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream health; and collected water samples to analyze back in their classroom. This science-based program joins the list of CALF's standards based, learning in the field programs.
Field Trips are Important
"Field trips have a powerful effect on student learning as they give them the opportunity to learn in a natural environment and experience things first-hand," offers Sally, Larkspur Elementary School teacher.
Everyday, teachers tell us that field trips are important to student learning. Similarly, we know how important it is for CALF to share authentic experiences to help students and adults better understand agriculture and its essential place in everyday life. Our experiences from the last few years leave us concerned about budget cuts and other issues that continue to limit some schools and programs from participating in field trips.
This year, 46 schools/programs and more than 1,600 learners participated in CALF field trips.