Bioregional Outdoor Bioregional Outdoor Education ProjectEducation Project

A Program of the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education

www.boep.org

BOEP Mission:BOEP Mission:

“Teachers and Students

studying their roles in the natural and

cultural heritage of the

Colorado Plateau”

WI teachers1.jpg

BOEP CO and UT Teachers 2007BOEP CO and UT Teachers 2007

Four Corners School AchievementsFour Corners School Achievements

Served some 27,000 participants Provided over 37,000 hours of youth and adult

service on public lands 87,000 hours of student/youth education 196,000 hours of adult education 30,000 hours of teacher training Awarded 200 teacher scholarships Repaired or rehabilitated hundreds of miles of

roads and trails Worked to protect over 20 archaeological sites

BOEP AwardsBOEP Awards

2001 Governor of Utah’s Medal for Science and Technology

2001 NAAEE award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education at a Regional Level

2001 NPR E-Town E-Chievement Award 2002 Olympics Committee Spirit of the Land

Environmental Education Award 2003 Utah Environmental Educator of the Year 2005 Utah Environmental Education Program of

the Year and Educator of the Year

Bioregional Outdoor Education Bioregional Outdoor Education Project (BOEP)Project (BOEP)

Mission: To promote understanding and appreciation of the Colorado Plateau through core-based, interdisciplinary, experiential curricula in grades K-8 through a Roving Teacher Education and Mentoring delivery system.

BOEP is not designed to be MORE work BOEP is not designed to be MORE work for teachers. It is designed to educate for teachers. It is designed to educate teachers how to teach the core curriculum teachers how to teach the core curriculum in a hands-on, inquiry-based way, using in a hands-on, inquiry-based way, using the outdoors as a classroom.the outdoors as a classroom.

Engaging, Not Time Consuming

Deliverables of BOEPDeliverables of BOEP

The Bioregional Outdoor Education Project delivers a two-year program of teacher mentoring and support activities, including training by Four Corners School staff in outdoor classroom management and teaching techniques.

Specific BOEP DeliverablesSpecific BOEP Deliverables

2 teachers per year (four per school) attend a six-day Summer Institute that allows teachers to explore the resources of the Colorado Plateau firsthand, a one-day weekend winter workshop, and a three-day river trip in June or July of the following year. (They are paid $75/person/day stipend for all these trainings) ;

3-10 Graduate credits available from the Colorado School of Mines/Teacher Enhancement Program;

2 in-services per school each year; 2 regional workshops per year (open to all teachers on

Colorado Plateau/ like Project WILD); Bi-monthly Regional Coordinator meetings/ mentorings/

trainings for each school during the school year.

Over each two year period

Deliverables Con’tDeliverables Con’t

A Bioregional Outdoor Educator Certification Program, which they earn a $1,000 stipend for completing, plus credit;

A $2,000/year for each school for Resource Center materials;

A Colorado Plateau Lesson Book for each Summer Institute teacher and a searchable on-line lesson database;

The development of each school’s curriculum and materials in partnership with teaching peers and BOEP staff;

Deliverables Con’tDeliverables Con’t

Three newsletters/year, a website, and one regional conference/year;

A formal yearly evaluation of the program; Ongoing mentoring and follow-up after each two-year

cycle.

Eight Year BOEP Program Eight Year BOEP Program 1999- 20071999- 2007

Has served these districts:

- Montrose School District; Montrose, CO

- Ganado Public Schools; Ganado, AZ

- Shiprock Bureau of Indian Affairs; Shiprock, NM

- South Sanpete School District; Manti, UT

- Grand Junction School District; Grand Junction, CO

- Washington County School District; St. George, UT

- Kayenta Public Schools; Kayenta, AZ

- Tuba City BIA Schools; Tuba City, AZ

- Eastern Navajo Agency BIA; CrownPoint, NM

- Emery County School District, Huntington, UT

- Chinle Public and BIA Schools, Chinle AZ

-Durango Public Schools, Durango, CO

BOEP Program Schools Con’tBOEP Program Schools Con’t

Mancos School District, Mancos, CO Cortez School District, Cortez, CO Grand County School District, Moab, UT Piute County School District, Junction, UT Garfield County School District, Panguitch, UT Western Navajo BIA, Tuba City, AZ

Outcomes on Teachers of EICOutcomes on Teachers of EIC

In a national study, Using the Environment as an Integrating Concept (EIC). (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998) it was proven that the Teacher Retention Benefits of EIC are that it:

1. Increases engagement in enthusiasm;

2. Improves interactions with students and colleagues;

3. Expands opportunities for professional development and personal growth;

4. Creates greater willingness to use innovative instructional strategies and;

5. Improves administrative support.

Navajo Winter String GamesNavajo Winter String Games

Year-end Survey Year-end Survey

I feel renewed energy toward teaching because of participation in this program. 4.3

I feel more confident about teaching about the Colorado Plateau because of this program. 4.3

The program staff has been informative. 4.7

Mentor Teachers Post Mentor Teachers Post In-service SurveyIn-service Survey

I think that the participating teachers will seek my help and support. 4.4

The sense of community in our school is strong. 4.3

I believe that a collaborative learning and a learning community is being built in our school around BOEP concepts. 4.3

The overall program was successful for me. 4.

Observing the Natural World…Observing the Natural World…

Student Outcomes of EICStudent Outcomes of EIC

Student learning benefits of the Environment as an Integrating Concept (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998)

Because Elementary classrooms are multi-subject, across-the-curriculum approaches to learning have been found to be highly effective in raising competency in learning.

EIC Student Outcomes Con’tEIC Student Outcomes Con’t

It has been reported that the integration of an outdoor education program accomplishes:

1. Better performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science and social studies;

2. Reduce discipline and classroom management problems;

3. Increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning; and

4. Greater pride and ownership in accomplishments.

Students Outcomes From Students Outcomes From 4 Years of BOEP Pilot Program 4 Years of BOEP Pilot Program

1. 60% of students have been much more engaged with the learning process through this integrated approach to learning and critical thinking.

2. 60% of students demonstrated increased understanding of scientific topics as a result of this project as evidenced by better grades and increased motivation/participation.

3. 85% of students have demonstrated increased participation in learning activities and are engaged in the lessons they are taught.

Results from surveys of the participating teachers:

The Strengths of BOEPThe Strengths of BOEP

A collaborative endeavor – teachers and administrators work together in planning and implementation.

A long term commitment to the schools with many opportunities for continued staff training.

Training’s are mainly School-based. Many training’s are accredited to allow teachers to earn pay

raises. Tied to state core curriculums and district goals. Mentoring helps improve teacher retention, improve

attitudes and instructional strategies, and improves teaching skills.