bcnhaeducationoutreachprograms20132[1]

Bryce Canyon Natural History Association

call (435) 834 - 4784 or e-mail [email protected] to schedule a program 1

New BeginningsBryce Canyon Natural History Association is proud to welcome Caitlin Scully as the new Education and Outreach Specialist. She has experience teaching in the classroom and in the field, as well working in marine biology, geology, and climate laboratories.

A Note from Caitlin,I am so happy to be working with the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association to bring my enthusiasm for teaching into the classroom. I come from a strong science background. I graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Environmental Studies, and focused on the past climate history of Bryce Canyon for my Masters Degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.

While working at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, I taught Pre-Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade students, college students, as well as the general

public. I love teaching both in the classroom and in the field. I have training in Kids Included Together (KIT), English Second Language, and will soon begin my Utah Teaching Credential. My style of teaching is fun and engaging, and I am especially passionate about geology.

In the next few months you will see many changes to the BCNHA programs. Expect more technology in the classroom and exciting new opportunities for both students and teachers.

! Thank you,

! ! Caitlin Scully

Our Mission Bryce Canyon Natural History Association

(BCNHA) is a non-profit organization created to aid the interpretive, educational and scientific activities of the National Park Service, at Bryce Canyon National Park and

the USDA Forest Service on the Dixie National Forest.

Elementary SchoolKindergarten

through Fifth grade classes focus on the

natural world around us. Ecology,

geology, and paleontology are just

a few of the main themes. Page 3

Middle SchoolEarth’s history,

dynamic hikes, and the night sky are featured for older

students. Key questions are

answered in the classroom and

at the park.Page 5

High SchoolWhat is it like to

work in and around Bryce Canyon

National Park? High school students can explore careers and experience the park

in new andexciting ways.

Page 6

Contact: Caitlin ScullyEducation Specialist [email protected](435) 834-4784P.O. Box 64051 Bryce, UT 84764

Fall 2013 - Spring 2014

Education Specialist, Caitlin Scully.

Education & Outreach Programs

Bryce Canyon Natural History Association is dedicated to providing interpretive, engaging, and educational opportunities to students in the

classroom and in the field.

Programs for All Ages

Incorporating Core CurriculumBryce Canyon Natural History Association prioritizes Utah’s Core Science Standards when presenting classes. We do our best to incorporate standards while exposing students the the dynamic nature of Bryce Canyon National Park. Opportunities in the field and in the classroom bring these standards to life.

In this Brochure:Introduction ........................................................ 1

Field Programs ................................................... 2

Elementary School Programs ........................... 3

Middle School Programs .................................. 5

High School Programs ...................................... 6

Special Events ..................................................... 7

How to Apply ...................................................... 7

mailto:[email protected]




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2 call (435) 834 - 4784 or e-mail [email protected] to schedule a program

Field Programs incorporate geology, ecology, and cultural history to

promote interpretive learning and stewardship. These specialized classes

challenge students to immerse themselves in the subject wile creating

lasting memories.

Ages: Kindergarten - 12th GradeStudents of all ages are welcome to participate in Field Programs. The experience will be tailored to the science standards for your grade level.

Rim Walks 0.9 miles (or less), Easy, 1 hour Enjoy an easy paved rim walk as students take in the view and learn about Bryce Canyon from above the Amphitheater. Take time to observe plants, birds, and mammals along the way. This walk is ideal for young students.

Queen’s Garden1.8 miles, Easy, 1-2 hours - Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommended This is the least difficult trail entering Bryce Canyon from the rim. It takes you through dramatic hoodoos that spark the imagination. This is a great hike for botany and geology themed programs.

Navajo Loop1.3 miles, Moderate, 1-2 hours - Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommendedDive straight down into the hoodoos on this dramatic trail entering Bryce Canyon from the rim. Switchbacks

ease the descent as fins and hoodoos tower over students’ heads. Navajo Loop Trail is an excellent hike for geology themed programs.

Navajo/Queens Garden Loop Combination 2.9 miles, Moderate, 2-3 hours - Sturdy shoes or hiking boots are recommendedCombine the best of both worlds, as students explore the Navajo and Queen’s Garden Trails. This hike is ideal for older students and highlights geology, ecology, hydrology, and Earth’s complex past.

Exploring Valleys and Forests If you are more interested in experiencing the flora and fauna of Bryce Canyon National Park, then ask about hikes through the valleys and forests on top of the plateau. Look for pronghorn, mule deer, prairie dogs, and an assortment of birds while experiencing the sights and smells of Bryce Canyon’s diverse habitats.

Snowshoeing Adventure Paria PointGrades 7 & 8 1 mile, moderate, 1-2 hours - WATERPROOF BOOTS REQUIRED!For more information on Snowshoeing hikes for 7th and 8th graders please see page 5. Snowshoes are provided by Bryce Canyon Natural History Association.

Take your students on a field trip they will never forget!

Field ProgramsShort rim walks or long hikes through the hoodoos - immersive experiences at Bryce Canyon National Park allow students of all ages to experience science and nature first hand.



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Kindergarten

Awesome Animals!What animal made those tracks? Who left that scat behind? What kind of animals live here? Where are the animals hiding? These are just a few of the important questions kindergartners will learn to ask about animals that live in and around Bryce Canyon National Park. Students will become familiar with the “signs” of animals, and learn that animals are everywhere even though they often cannot be seen. Important basic ecology topics, such as habitats and adaptations, will be introduced. Examples of animal scat and games with tracks help students learn about, and identify, different kinds of local animals.

The Forest and Valleys or Rim Walk Field Labs would be an excellent accompaniment.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: Kindergarten Standard 3; Objective 2

First Grade

Trees ForeverDo trees have the same parts as a person? How does a tree live? How does it make its food? Plant anatomy and physiology are highlights of this class. Utilizing costumes, games, and “The Grandpa Tree” makes botany accessible and fun! This class is very interactive. Students will also be introduced to the important relationships between tress and animals. Charismatic “Vinnie the Raven” shows students how birds help transport tree seeds around Bryce Canyon National Park.

This class can easily be combined with a Field Lab component. Students visit “Grandpa Tree” deep in the Bryce Amphitheater along the Queen’s Garden Trail.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 1st Grade Standard 4; Objectives 1 & 2

Second Grade

What’s for Lunch?Who eats whom at Bryce Canyon? Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores are all important members of the natural community. How do living and nonliving components of an ecosystem interact? What is a keystone species and why are these special organisms important when protecting the natural environment? Students ask these important questions as they explore the world outside looking for animal and plant interactions.

A Field Lab is also a great opportunity to see an ecosystem in action at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 2nd Grade Standard 4; Objectives 1 & 2

Razzle Dazzle RocksWhat makes rocks different? Is it just their color and texture? Are all rocks made the same way? Hands on activities expose students to the diverse and exciting world of geology. Students will be introduced to the Rock Cycle and challenged to figure out what kind of rocks are found at Bryce Canyon National Park.

The Navajo/Queens Garden Loop hike is a Field Lab that immerses students in a memorable geologic wonderland.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 2nd Grade Standard 2; Objective 1

Elementary School ProgramsKindergarten through Fifth Grade classes focusing on ecology, geology, and paleontology



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Wanted: Dead or AliveWhat are the roles of different organisms in the web of life? Are they all important? In this class students explore the dynamic interplay between living, nonliving, and once living things. Symbiosis, mutualism, and parasitism are just a few of the relationships that are introduced. Student participation is essential in this activity based class!

A Field Lab would be an excellent accompaniment.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 3rd Grade Standard 2; Objectives 1 & 2

Become a GeodetectiveJoin Professor Allister Holmes McFragillis and his team of paleontologists from the past to explore the fascinating world of geology. Students learn about the rock cycle, erosion, and fossils through hands on activities. Classroom experiments and an interactive computer game connect students to the ever-changing world of rocks. As a bonus, each student has the opportunity to earn an official Geodetective Patch!

Field Labs buttress the lessons learned in this program. The Navajo/Queens Garden Loop allows students to see components of this lesson first hand.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum:

It’s Cold OutsideHow do animals and plants survive as the seasons change? Ecology and adaptations are important themes for this program. How does a habitat change throughout the year? Is it easier for animals and plants to live during one time of year over another? Students learn how organisms are classified and have a diverse array of adaptations to help them survive through the seasons at Bryce Canyon National Park

A Field Lab that takes students below the rim or through the forests and plains will supplement the main themes of this class.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 4th Grade Standard 5; Objectives 1, 2, 3,

School of RockWhat makes the geology of Bryce Canyon National Park and the Colorado Plateau unique and exciting? Students explore this and many more questions as they learn about the Rock Cycle and the differences and similarities between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

The Navajo/Queen’s Garden Loop hike is an excellent supplementary Field Lab to this course.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 4th Grade Standard 3; Objectives 1 & 2

Digging for DinosaursStudents become Junior Paleontologists in this hands-on Program. What is a fossil? How is it made? What do real fossilized dinosaur bones feel like? Why did dinosaurs go extinct? Are there any modern day dinosaurs? Animals of the Mesozoic are highlighted as students explore different techniques to uncover fossils in a Dinosaur Dig Activity.

Combine this class with a geology themed Field Lab.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: 4th Grade Standard 4; Objectives 1 & 2

How Old is the Earth? Millions of years? Billions of years? What is geologic time? What is Earth like miles below our feet? Fifth Graders have the opportunity to learn how Earth has changed over the last 4.5 billion years. Plate tectonics, erosion, and land building processes are all explored as students participate in hands on activities. How old is Bryce Canyon? Students learn how the forces that make changes on a global scale have affected local geology over the last 55 million years.

The Navajo Loop or Navajo/Queen’s Garden Loop Field Lab would be an excellent accompaniment.

Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum: Standard 2; Objectives 1, 2, & 3

Third Grade Fifth GradeFourth Grade



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Sixth Grade

The Night Sky - In Class or Evening ProgramWhat is it like to experience true darkness? Learn about the stars and how to identify modern day constellations. Are all stars the same? How does the night sky change throughout the year? How have people throughout the ages viewed the stars? Students will learn about problems with light pollution and how it affects the way millions of people view the night sky.

Another option is to attend an evening Astronomy Ranger Program. Students will get the opportunity to view constellations that they have studied with a “Dark Ranger” at Bryce Canyon National Park, then view the night sky through telescopes. Subject to availability. If interested, please book as far in advance as possible.

Program Length: 45 minutes in class or 1.5 hours for evening programUT Science Core Curriculum: 6th Grade Standard 4; Objective 2

Seventh Grade

No Place Like it On Earth - Snowshoeing AdventureSnowshoeing at Bryce Canyon National Park is an experience not to miss! Beginner and advanced snowshoers are welcome - no experience required. After an introduction to this exciting winter activity, students are taken on a breathtaking mile-long hike to Paria Point. The hike offers views of the Bryce Amphitheater as well as the opportunity to teach students about geology, ecosystem processes, and the adaptations organisms need to survive in harsh winter conditions.

This program starts in January, please call to schedule a date after winter break. Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum:

Eighth Grade

No Place Like it on Earth - Snowshoeing AdventurePlease see description under Seventh Grade Programs.

This program starts in January, please call to schedule a date after winter break. Program Length: 45 minutesUT Science Core Curriculum:

MiddleSchool ProgramsClasses that transport students to the engaging world of Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon Natural History Association is in the process of updating our middle school classes. Please contact Caitlin Scully at [email protected] to inquire about future classroom programs

for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.





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Upcoming ProgramsWe are in the process of creating new high school programming for the classroom and the field. Please contact BCNHA for Updates.

Encouraging STEM

Bryce Canyon National Park is an ideal place to encourage

students to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The sciences are

present in all realms of the park, from telescopes and astronomy to structural development and wildlife biology. High School

Classes are taught in accordance to Utah State

Standards while also highlighting the diverse career options available through the

National Park Service.

Field ProgramsField Programs for High School Students focus on Earth Science and Biology.

Guided hikes down into Bryce Amphitheater allow students to see geologic processes in action. Bryce Canyon National Park straddles the highest point of the Grand Staircase of the Colorado Plateau, thus providing an excellent opportunity to discuss plate tectonics. Bryce Canyon’s Eocene Claron Rock Formation also holds one of the best, and most accessible, climate records on the Colorado Plateau. Students will learn about how scientists study past climate, why understanding climate is important, and implications for the future.

These walks can also be focused on Biology. Bryce Canyon National Park is an excellent place to learn about how organisms interact with their environment, diversity, and population dynamics.

Classroom Programs Classroom Programs focusing on Earth Science or Biology incorporate a multimedia presentation and a hands on classroom activity.

Bryce Canyon National Park, The Grand Staircase, and the Colorado Plateau are used to highlight key concepts involving plate tectonics, past and present climate change, and hydrological systems. These engaging presentations utilize essential vocabulary and encourage students to use real life examples to understand core standards.

The dynamic habitats of Bryce Canyon National Park also offer excellent opportunities to discuss biological processes. Real data collected by the Park’s Wildlife Biologists will be used to discuss Evolution, diversification, population dynamics, and diversity.

Earth Science Standard 2; Objectives 1, 2, & 3 Standard 3; Objectives 1, 2, & 3Standard 4; Objectives 1, & 2

HighSchool ProgramsUsing Bryce Canyon National Park to inspire future careers

Program Length: 1 hourProgram Length: Approximately 3 hours

BiologyStandard 1; Objectives 1, 2, & 3 Standard 5; Objectives 1, 2, & 3

Utah Core Standards for High School:



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Special EventsThroughout the year Bryce Canyon National Park and Bryce Canyon Natural History Association host special events that engage visitors, students, and teachers. Please visit www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm for more information

Audubon Annual Christmas Bird Count December 14th, 2013 - January 5th, 2014Each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas become citizen scientists as they participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Special programs

and ornithology classes are available for schools that would like to be involved in this tradition.

Field Seminar for EducatorsJune 2014Bryce Canyon National Park and Southern Utah University present an exciting opportunity for educators. This multi-day immersive seminar features hikes, lectures, flora, fauna, geology, and cultural experiences. Participants also complete 4 units of credit through SUU. The program fills quickly, please contact Caitlin Scully, BCNHA Education Specialist, for more information

“Adventures In Science” Summer Camp June 2014This free camp is offered each summer to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Past camps have featured, geology, local plants, and “Critters.” Space is limited so inquire early!

Astronomy Festival June 2014Bryce Canyon’s “Dark Rangers” and The Salt Lake Astronomical Society present an extended weekend of space themed learning, crafts, rocket building, and viewing the cosmos through over fifty telescopes!

Prairie Dog DayJune 2014Join Park Rangers to view endangered prairie dogs in their natural habitat. Don’t miss the Prairie Dog themed programs, crafts, and activities at the Visitor Center.

Geology Festival July 2014Millions of visitors come to Bryce Canyon each year to view the spectacular geology the park has to offer. Ranger

guided geology hikes, geology themed bus tours, exhibits featuring geology of Bryce Canyon and around the Colorado Plateau, fossil viewing, family oriented activities, crafts, evening programs, and special guest speakers make this an experience not to miss.

Contacts: Caitlin Scully Education SpecialistBryce Canyon Natural History Association [email protected]. Box 64051 Bryce, UT 84764

Bryce Canyon National Park An array of teaching materials can be found at Bryce Canyon National Park’s Website. There are also links to important forms and field trip information.

http://www.nps.gov/brca/forteachers/index.htm

Applying For School Programs It’s easy to apply for programs through Bryce Canyon Natural History Association. The best way to schedule is to e-mail Caitlin Scully, whose contact information is on the right. If you have any questions about Field Programs, class content, borrowing materials, or scheduling, please do not hesitate to e-mail or call.

Fee Waivers:National Park Service policy allows waivers for educational and scientific groups engaged in the study of resources specifically related to the park. If you are participating in a Bryce Canyon Natural History Association program, then you are eligible for a Fee Waver.

You can download a copy of the Bryce Canyon Fee Waiver Application from the Bryce Canyon National Park link to the right. Please follow the directions carefully as both the Waiver Application as well as supplementary materials must be submitted via Fax.

Follow BCNHAFollow Bryce Canyon Natural History Association! We will be increasing our social media presence in 2014! Keep an eye out for updates.

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http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm








bcnhaeducationoutreachprograms20132[1]

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