2013 Education Report for Supporters June 2014 | Page 2

Without programs like this one, field

“

experiences would be very tough to come
by in the economic climate that schools
currently face. I am very appreciative to be
a part of this program!” Tauna Tattam, Teacher,
Kraxberger Middle School

Fifth graders in Camas and Washougal have new
science lessons and a huge outdoor classroom.
As part of the Steigerwald Lake Na onal Wildlife
Refuge Environmental Educa on Commi ee, the
Estuary Partnership worked with refuge staff,
Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, Educa onal
Service District 112 (ESD 112) and re red teachers
to developed new science curriculum to connect
5th grade students from Camas and Washougal
to the Steigerwald Lake Na onal Wildlife Refuge
(Refuge). Lack of student understanding in key
science concepts prompted the ESD 112 to look for
alterna ve ways to increase knowledge u lizing
local natural spaces. The new interac ve curriculum
helps students understand complex concepts, such
as food webs and energy flow, and helps teachers
meet state science standards. The Refuge serves as
an outdoor classroom where students explore and
learn through hands-on ac vi es. Three teacher
workshops were held to train teachers in the new
curriculum and they were well received by teachers
and generated a lot of enthusiasm. To help support
teachers and the implementa on of the new
curriculum, the Estuary Partnership field tested the
ac vi es with 5th graders during service learning
field trips at the Refuge.

3,630 students received an average of 5 hours of instruction

in classroom lessons, service learning projects and on-river
field trips.
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