Curriculum (general objectives and topics, types of instructors, and planned time frame)
The curriculum covers eight topic areas (geology, ecology, plants, wildlife, education/interpretation, water, aquatic life, and human influences). Field experiences serve to reinforce classroom learning and provide hands-on learning opportunities for stewardship and citizen science activities. Each chapter of the curriculum includes clear learning objectives; topic background information; suggested places to visit (Explore!) that highlight outdoor examples of chapter content; topic-specific activities (Teach!) which can be used by the volunteers to teach the material; and citizen-science and stewardship organizations (Conserve!) which provide opportunities for volunteering.
A major component of the course is a required service-learning activity called a capstone project. Volunteers work in groups on an education/interpretation, stewardship, or citizen-science project. These capstone projects are bridges to volunteering, introducing participants to informal science education sites that need volunteers; allowing them to undertake useful and challenging projects; providing an opportunity to develop new skills; and ensuring that they use their newly acquired knowledge and skills with mentorship from instructors.
