VISITING NATURALIST IN THE SCHOOLS

The Visiting Naturalist in the Schools Program engages over 600 4th and 5th grade students in ecology, biology, life sciences, earth sciences and natural history each year. Through experiential inquiry-based field trips and monthly classroom visits, students connect concepts learned in science to processes and cycles in our natural environment.

We use naturalists to promote science learning, as well as the valuable life-skills they model. What is a Naturalist?

• Naturalists are Scientists
  Observing the world around them
  Exploring with tools, which aid in observation and discovery
  Experimenting through the inquiry process
  
• Naturalists are Writers
  Recording observations in a journal
  Communicating results of inquiry
  Practicing language arts in an authentic context
  
• Naturalists are Artists
  Drawing maps of the land
  Presenting discoveries in a creative manner
  Celebrating our home through a sense of place

The Visiting Naturalist in the Schools Program includes:

• Monthly Naturalist visits into the classroom for hands-on activities in science and natural history
• Full day field trips in October and May that bring students into the field for exploration of their local natural areas
• Each participating School receives a resource trunk full of teaching supplies, equipment, and resource guides for use by VNS classrooms throughout the year
• One full day of professional development for participating teachers centered on the themes of the VNS program
• Substitute reimbursement pay for professional development day at MNHC
• Download this year's Program At-a-Glance schedule (PDF)>>

Comments from Participating Teachers:
• I wanted to thank you for such a great year. This has been such an awesome opportunity for the students to really become naturalists and learn about stewardship of our lands and water.
Thanks so much for all you did.
• The program provides exposure to natural settings and blends class work with field work.
• Excellent! Helps the students see real life application for what they are learning.
• The VNS program creates interest and excitement in the world around us—promotes observation skills which is the foundation for exploration.
• It meets many of the science and weather goals and adds depth and breadth to our science instruction.

Pictured left: Using the Private Eye analytical activity, students explore art from their thumbprint!


Comments from Students:
"I liked the silent walk. I think people should stop and look around when they are in the woods." 4th grader
"Nature is cool!" 4th grader

2007/2008 Participating Schools (30 classrooms monthly):
Teachers interested in this program should contact us at (406)-327-0405.		Resource Trunks provided for participating Visiting Naturalist in the Schools teachers.
Alberton Elementary DeSmet Elementary Potomac School St. Joseph School Franklin Elementary Hellgate Elementary	Lolo Middle School Frenchtown Elementary Missoula Homeschool Lowell Elementary Hawthorne Elementary Rattlesnake Elementary Target Range School

Interested in becoming a Volunteer Naturalist for this exciting program that reaches 600 Missoula area students every month? learn more>>

MNHC would like to thank all of the donors and following sponsors for their support of the Visiting Naturalist in the Schools program:


the Kendeda Fund

NEST Foundation








MNHC thanks the Steele-Reese Foundation for their founding grant support of this successful program.