PROGRESS REPORT
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
COURTESY OF USFWS
CONSERVATION SCIENCE IS OFF TO AN INSPIRING START !
As the 2021-22 school year wrapped up , so too did the inaugural year of Conservation Science , a Sportsmen ’ s Alliance-created curriculum for high-school students . The first year of instruction saw our science curriculum successfully taught to nearly 2,000 students in 71 schools across five states .
“ We couldn ’ t have asked for a better first year . Teachers and students both loved the class ,” said Calvin Vander Boon , director of Conservation Adventures . “ Our turnkey curriculum makes it easy for science teachers to implement the class and gives them all the tools and resources to effectively teach Conservation Science . The hands-on , project-based nature of the class engages students and keeps them interested in learning .”
Conservation Science , the first step in our larger Conservation Adventures program , educates high-school students on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation through core and elective courses in public , private , charter and home schools . It ’ s completely flexible to serve the needs of a school or teacher , working as a year-long or semester standalone course , or as a supplement to an existing science or agriculture-science class .
Students in Ohio , Pennsylvania , Iowa , Kentucky and Indiana engaged in lessons and labs that taught scientific principles through conservation and wildlife management , as well as the role sportsmen play in the North American Model . Guest speakers included game wardens , biologists , local trappers , culinary specialists and arborists . Students built gravity feeders and set trail cameras to capture images of local wildlife ; they also learned to shoot archery equipment , to kayak , canoe and cast fly rods . Some even started the permitting process for building a nature trail behind their school .
The resounding success of Conservation Science continues as more schools pick up the class for the 2022-23 school year . If you know school administrators or teachers who would be interested in adopting the class or learning more , have them contact James McChesney at SA headquarters : info @ sportsmensalliance . org or 614-888-4868 .
“ I thought this would be my least favorite class ; it ended up being my favorite class . It was eye-opening and interactive .”
“ What really surprised me about the course was how in-depth it was . When I started this class , my knowledge of conservation only extended to not hunting animals when they were endangered or threatened . I had no idea it actually involved hunting , trapping and research beyond just the number of animals in an area .”
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