Arizona State Parks and Trails is offering a free school program to expose more students to the outdoors without leaving the classroom.
In partnership with the non-profit Post Pigeon EDU, Arizona State Parks and Trails plans to launch the program featuring three state parks: Kartchner Caverns, Oracle and Red Rock.
Post Pigeon will offer tailored curriculum for teachers, and students will be able to send their questions to rangers. Then rangers will respond with customized video messages. Post Pigeon says teachers would have students reflect on what they have learned, and how it connects to their own community.
“We provide the opportunity for your class to get answers straight from them. To spark curiosity, to inspire to look outwards, to learn, not just with books but through human connection, according to a video from the program.
Michelle Thompson with the state parks agency said although it’s virtual, the program gives students access to parks that they may otherwise never see.
“We have 33 parks across the state but we don’t have any parks in Maricopa County. So we understand that sometimes it’s hard, it costs money for field trips," Thompson said.
Post Pigeon also says the curriculum aims to introduce students to possible career paths in outdoor recreation.
Curriculums for Kartchner Caverns and Oracle will be available by this summer. Teachers can access Red Rock State Park’s materials now.
-
Each year, students from ASU’s Master of Real Estate Development program work with cities and towns on a development proposal for a particular piece of land. One recent collaboration reimagined the site of the Turf Paradise horse racing track in north Phoenix. -
University of Arizona researchers have developed equipment to measure seismic activity on the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign. -
Phoenix Union High School District voted Thursday to officially rename the school formerly known as Cesar Chavez High School. -
K-12 students in Maricopa County may have easier access to mental healthcare next school year. The county has contracted with a company called Cartwheel to provide telehealth services for schools. -
The University of Arizona is readying to recognize roughly 70 Native American graduates with a special Friday celebration. It also features a famous Indigenous actor as the event’s keynote speaker.
