Using
The Outdoors to Teach Experiential
Science is an exciting elementary teacher education project
that demonstrates techniques for using school grounds as educational resources for hands-on
learning. Since 1991, more than 4,100 educators at 188 selected sites
across North Carolina have taken part in the UTOTES experience.
UTOTES Brochure [PDF, 313k]
UTOTES Tentative Workshop Schedule PDF, 57k]
What Are UTOTES' Goals?
- Promote positive attitudes of teachers and students toward living things.
- Increase the use of the environment in teaching all subjects.
- Develop site-based science leadership.
- Highlight and enhance areas on your school grounds that can be used to teach science in the outdoors.
How Does
UTOTES Work?
A group
of 16 to 24 staff members at each school
participates initially. The two-year program includes
six different teacher education workshops during the
first year (including one for creating a wildlife habitat
selected by the school); a summer residential program
for two teachers the following June; and a follow-up
workshop the second year. Topics may include:
attracting butterflies and birds; identifying trees and
wildflowers; observing
and recording seasonal changes; exploring wetlands
on school grounds; integrating the outdoors into
curriculum; and creating nature journals.
Typical
UTOTES Projects
Schools participating in UTOTES have created:
- butterfly gardens
- mini-ponds/wetlands
- bird feeding and observation areas
- native plant gardens
- classroom nature stations
Ideas for school grounds outdoor learning areas
What Are the Recommended Credits?
The workshop series is recommended for
two hours of North Carolina renewal credit.
UTOTES has been approved by the N.C. Environmental
Certification Review Committee
as an Eligibility Criteria I Instructional Workshop.
Cost of the UTOTES program
A fee of $900 is payable to the Museum upon acceptance into UTOTES. This
covers costs of materials given at each session, materials for creation
of a selected habitat, and participation of two staff in the Summer
Field Institute.
How Can
Your School Participate?
Complete the three online application forms no later
than April 25, 2008. Schools
will be notified of the selections prior to the end of this school year.
Applications for the 2008–2009 school year: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3
On What Are Selections Based?
- Full commitment of the school administration and teaching faculty (between 16–24 participants)
- Evidence of business, community and parental support
- Participation of school administrator in all six workshops
- Current use of or intent to implement an experiential science program
For more information, contact Mike Dunn, coordinator of teacher education, at 919.733.7450, ext. 620, FAX 919.715.6439.
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