Rogers High School Outdoor Education Env. Science/PE

1. Rogers High SchoolOutdoor EducationEnv. Science/PE Jeff Belk jbelk@rogers.k12.ar.us 479-636-2202

3. CONCEPT • Environment not that important in public schools. • If every school in Arkansas had this course, Arkansas would be a better place (on many levels). • Students need outside activities to appreciate the environment and stay healthy. • Not all students play sports. • Students will be given knowledge and skills for a lifetime of enjoyment. • Character Education not used in most courses. Students need the instruction in decision-making, problem solving, teamwork, and leadership.

4. What are the Results? • Common–Core Scores are better or above the regular Ecology first semester test. • Students are more eager to learn the science. • No discipline problems. • More effort in all classes. • A different approach to class is necessary. • Students problem-solve more.

5. Course Description • ½ Ecology credit – ½ PE credit • 2 hour – 1 semester • All physical education activities have ecology tied to them. Integration of subjects is crucial to tricking them into learning science. • Class can be combined for two hours or held separate for one hour each. • Water is the focus of the curriculum.

6. 1st semester Ecology course Common core semester test compared to regular Ecology Also: Stream Ecology Icthyology Entomology Minimal Impact Camping (Leave No Trace) Fish/Game Management Forest Management Water Quality/Watersheds Recycle/Reduce/Reuse Tree/Leaf ID Character Education Ecology Curriculum

7. Physical Education Curriculum • Hunter’s Education - certification • Boating Safety Education – certification • Fitness Testing • Archery • Camping/Orienteering • Fly Fishing and Fly Tying • Canoe/Kayak/Paddling • Sport Fishing • Character Education • First Aid

8. Ch. 5 Outdoors Videos • Hiking/Caving - Devil’s Den Spring 2002 • Fly Fishing – Beaver Dam/White River Spring 2003 • Canoeing – Elk River Spring 2004

9. Field Trips • Fly Fishing on the Beaver Tailwaters - includes cleanup, cooking, ecosystem exploration, and water quality monitoring

10. Field Trips • Canoe/Smallmouth Fishing on the Elk River - includes river cleanup and water quality monitoring

11. Field Trips • Hiking/Spelunking at Devil’s Den - includes 3 mile hike through several ecosystems and cave ecosystem, trail and cave cleanup, water quality monitoring

12. Field Trips, Focus, and Activities May Vary

13. Recycling Program • Outdoor Education is responsible for the development and collection. • Collection is a part of curriculum and happens during class time. • Student-led and student-governed. Work in teams. • Potential for earnings. • Expansion of collection

14. RHS Outdoor Education Water Quality • Our water quality is performed through grants from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). • Students are volunteers for the AGFC Stream Team. We have adopted four streams in four different watersheds. • Students work in teams.

15. Watershed Project • Watershed Greenway Development • Our data and efforts will assist in partnership with several stakeholders. • Blossom Way Creek, located on our campus, is the upper arm of the Osage. • Osage drains to Illinois River. • Overall Goal: Better city planning for the environment • RHS Goal: Perform our duties as well as spread participation throughout district.

16. Illinois River Watershed Northwest AR

17. Watershed Project Description • Since we do work in many watersheds, we decided to focus our project on our most troubled watershed, the Illinois River Watershed. • This watershed receives wastewater discharge from most of the metropolitan communities in NW AR, and is the source of concern and conflict because of sediment and phosphorus loading to Oklahoma. • The stream at our school, Blossom Way Creek, is an arm of Osage Creek which then flows into the Illinois. • We are working with several area agencies in forming a proactive greenway development for the city.

18. Testing • Chemical – nutrients, sediment, oxygen, toxics • Physical – riparian zones, bank stabilization, biodiversity • Geomorphology (Fluvial) • Hydrological • Student testing and automated test site for storm events.

19. Wetland Preserve • Blossom Way Creek at RHS has received a $900,000 grant for a Wetlands Preserve Plan to preserve upper watershed quality. • This preserve will be a joint venture between stakeholders for four years and then turned over to RHS for outdoor curriculum.

20. Outdoor Club • Environmental/Recreational/Volunteer Group • Weekend Expeditions • After-school Clinics • Community Service Projects • Adventure Races • Fishing Tournaments

21. Soon: • Mountain Biking Team • Ultimate Frisbee League • Low Ropes Initiatives • Fly Fishing Tournaments and Contests • Frisbee Golf Course • Outdoor Center • Inter-School Competitions

22. FUNDING • All funds come directly from student dues. • We depend heavily on equipment and financial donations. • Small grants have been received and future grants are being pursued.

23. Future Funding • Arkansas Wildlife Federation • Arkansas Game and Fish Commission • Other small agencies or organizations • National Organizations (TU, Wilderness Education Association, etc) • Wal-Mart • Tyson • Local Outdoor Stores • Grants/More Grants (They can’t say no)

24. Future Goals • Spread Outdoor Education around the state in all schools grades 6-12. • Expand recycling program. • Begin nationwide trainings.