mount rainier institute
TRANSCRIPT
! 2009 Mount Rainier NP and Pack Forest initiate MRI proposal
! 2012 MOU created to develop the MRI ! Fall 2012
• Planning team forms and begins work • Mission, Vision, Values established
! Vision: A diverse community of ecologically-literate people inspired by the natural world and motivated to be stewards.
! Mission: Provide outstanding nature-based education experiences that are rooted in science and nurture the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders.
! Winter 2012-13 • Market Analysis
Begins • First Business plan
completed ! Spring 2013
• Focus Groups • Secured funding for
pilot programs
! 47 School Districts • 185,000 students 4th-12th
grade • 243,000 including Seattle • 50,000 are being served by
other organizations " Not all within that radius " Includes independent schools.
! Mount Rainier Institute’s Goal-700 students in the first year
! 69 teachers participated in focus groups • 34 different schools • 14 different districts
! Follow-up survey • 79% were “VERY
Interested” • 19% were “Interested”
! Most important outcomes • Participate in hands on science
activities • Develop a connection to nature • Increase enthusiasm for learning
! Most Significant barriers • Lack of funding • Difficulty finding capable chaperones • Other student commitments
! Summer 2013 • Curriculum Development • Teacher Retreat
! Fall 2013 • Pilot programs! • Pilot 2
! Winter 2013-2014 • Grant writing • Marketing
! Spring 2014 • Recruitment
! Content • Science focus (STEM) • Natural History, outdoor
recreation, natural resource management
• National Park Service Interpretive Themes
• Interdisciplinary (social studies, arts, etc.)
• Connected EALRs & NGSS (i.e. Standards based)
! Initial Target Audiences • Middle School • Underrepresented groups
! Immersion
! Bryant 1 –Tacoma- September 15 ! Bryant 2 –Tacoma- September 22 ! Sequoyah–Federal Way- October 6 ! Lakota-Federal Way-October 13 ! Wilson MS-Yakima-October 20 ! Jason Lee-Tacoma-October 27 ! Eatonville & Charles Wright-November 3
! 355 Participants-(340 projected) • One school postponed until spring • 2 programs (90 Students were day programs)
! 6 schools served-4 districts
! 61% Average Free & Reduced lunch
! 50% non-Caucasian
! Washington MS-Yakima ! Lakes HS-Clover Park ! Highline HS-Highline ! Three Rivers Home Link ! Charles Wright ! Madison MS-Seattle ! Royal MS-Royal City ! Lakota MS-Federal Way ! Baker MS-Tacoma
“My biggest concern is scheduling a date, signing a contract and then not being able to fund the trip. I will be very interested in hearing how we can make this all happen.”- Teacher at Washington MS-Yakima