ncascades.org/school • (360) 854-2598

MOUNTAINHANDS-ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

IN THE NORTH CASCADES FOR 4TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS

SCHOOL

SCOTT LEPPERT

CAROLYN WATERS

Dear Educator,

Thank you for your interest in Mountain School, our award-winning environmental education program for elementary, middle and high school students. Established in 1990, it has become a national model for teaching young people about the natural world that surrounds them through intimate, direct learning experiences in the dramatic wilderness setting of the North Cascades.

Why take your students to the mountains to learn? A growing body of educational research shows that today’s generation is more “plugged in” to electronics—but less tuned into the natural world—than any generation in history. As opportunities for direct experiences in nature have dwindled, the rate of clinical depression, obesity and learning disabilities has skyrocketed.

High quality, interdisciplinary environmental education that includes direct experiences in the natural world has been shown to improve standardized test scores, grade point averages and decision-making skills. In fact, more than 90 percent of teachers who participate in Mountain School report their students showed improved problem solving and critical thinking skills. As one teacher remarked, “Today’s children are experience-poor. Mountain School helps fill a void in their lives. They never forget it.”

Mountain School curriculum is aligned with the Grade Level Expectations and Essential Academic Learning Requirements. We provide excellent curriculum materials for pre- and post-Mountain School use to integrate study of the North Cascades into classroom activities.

While staying at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, your students will receive the highest quality educational experience possible. They will experience one of the wildest, most biologically diverse landscapes in North America under the guidance of knowledgeable mentors and discover for themselves the powerful connections between their quality of life, their community and the environment.

At North Cascades Institute, we believe that your students deserve an opportunity to explore their natural heritage first-hand, out-of-doors with good friends and caring adults.

Hope to see you in the mountains!

Best regards,

Jeff GiesenAssociate Director

INSTITUTE ARCHIVES

I think Mountain School was an important part of my school year because nature isn’t something you can learn about in a classroom. It is something you need to experience.” (Jessica L., Happy Valley Elementary, Bellingham)

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Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/ncascadesCheck out our Mountain School blog: nci-mountainschool.blogspot.com

FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Mountain School is a nationally recognized environmental education program offered by North Cascades Institute in cooperation with North Cascades National Park. Mountain School students come to the North Cascades with their school class, teacher and chaperones to learn about the ecosystems, geology and natural and cultural history of the mountains. Mountain School gives young people an experience they will remember forever—a chance to increase their knowledge of the world with their bodies, minds and spirits.

OUR CURRICULUM

Mountain School programming is available from mid-March to mid-June and from mid-September to early November. Program sessions are available for three, four or five days.

For pricing and availability, or to register your class, contact Codi Hamblin, Program Outreach Coordinatorcodi_hamblin@ncascades.org or (360) 854-2598.

While at Mountain School, students spend the majority of their time outside, hiking on trails and exploring mountain ecosystems first-hand through interdisciplinary activities. Experiential, hands-on lessons in science, math, writing, social studies and conservation fill days to the brim. Program activities extend through the evening. Mountain School curriculum is designed to enhance classroom learning and is aligned with the Grade Level Expectations and Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Pre- and post-trip visits by North Cascades Institute education staff prepare students for the concepts they will learn while at Mountain School and support the application of conservation principles to their daily lives after their experience in North Cascades National Park.

Mountain School offers three program curricula to select from, each addressing the various grade level educational needs:

Ecosystem Explorations (4th-6th Grade)Ecosystem Explorations investigates the abiotic and biotic components of the North Cascade ecosystem and its interconnections and interactions with the human community. Topics explored include watersheds, glaciers, erosion, geology, native plant identification, wildlife, habitat, adaptations and cultural history. Embedded are sensory awareness activities, team building, personal reflection and educational games.

Field Science & Leadership (7th-12th Grade)Field Science and Leadership offers two inquiry-based curricula: Carnivore Curriculum and Aquatic Investigations. Within these curricula students gain background knowledge about the North Cascades ecosystem, develop a research question of their choice and design and implement a field investigation. Students gain ownership of their field investigations by designing a scientific question they are interested in exploring and an understanding of the role scientific research plays in conservation. Both curricula culminate in a research symposium where students present their findings.

Carnivore CurriculumStudents investigate the habitat potential of the forest community surrounding the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center for threatened and endangered forest carnivores by examining tree diversity, canopy cover, woody debris and ground cover in forest transects.

Aquatic InvestigationsStudents explore the aquatic interactions between the physical, chemical and biological components of the Deer Creek watershed using site observations, water chemistry testing and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling.

OUR CLASSROOM

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is surrounded by 7,000,000 acres of protected public lands in Washington and British Columbia. In the middle lies 684,000-acre North Cascades National Park—our neighborhood. Known for its steep mountains, ever-flowing streams and tremendous biological diversity. With more than 300 glaciers, the park is the most rugged and heavily glaciated area in the lower 48. Mountain School gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in this national treasure and to explore, first-hand, this living laboratory awaiting discovery.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

North Cascades Institute education staff design lessons and provide leadership at Mountain School. Instructors are a combination of staff naturalists, graduate students studying environmental education and National Park Service rangers. All instructors have CPR and first-aid certification and received Wilderness First Responder training, an advanced 80-hour first-aid certification. Students divide into small hiking and learning groups with approximately a one-to-five adult/student ratio. Teachers and chaperones are an integral part of Mountain School, participating fully in all activities.

NICK MIKULA

The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is located in North Cascades National Park in the heart of the mountain range. Our campus includes classrooms, a microscope lab, library, dining hall and lodges, all nestled on the shores of Diablo Lake along with numerous trails and three trailside learning shelters. Mountain School participants stay in three lodges that can sleep a total of 92 participants. Each lodge contains shared, gender-specific bathrooms and rooms that sleep four participants. Our Foodshed program offers appealing and wholesome food choices that are primarily local, organic and sustainably-produced. Travel time to the Learning Center from Bellingham is approximately two hours and three hours from Seattle.

OUR CAMPUS LEARNING CENTER TRAILS

LEARNING CENTER AND AREA TRAILS

Ruby Arm

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Ruby Mountain(7408 ft)

Colonial Peak(7771 ft)

Pyramid Peak(7182 ft)

Davis Peak(7051 ft)

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“It was important learning about the environment because even though we’re just kids we can make a difference in the world.”

(Ben S., Evergreen Academy, Bothell)

Seattle←

LARA SWIMMER

ABOUT NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE

North Cascades Institute seeks to inspire a closer relationship with nature through direct experiences in the natural world. Our mission is to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. Since 1986 we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest—so all will care for and protect this special place.

North Cascades Institute is committed to innovation and excellence in environmental learning and leadership in the nonprofit community. We believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. Toward that end, four key themes run through all our programs:

• The convergence of natural and cultural history, science, humanities and the arts

• Human history as integral to the history of landscapes and wild lands• Respect among individuals and the broader community• Exploration, reflection and stewardship in the out-of-doors

Teaching all ages, we offer:• Natural and cultural history classes, field excursions and retreats for adults• Family Getaways• School programs and Youth Leadership Adventures• Teacher education and internships• Stewardship and Citizen Science• Graduate M.Ed. in environmental education

MANY OF OUR ADULT SEMINARS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TEACHER CLOCK HOURS AND ACADEMIC CREDIT. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EDUCATORS. VIEW COURSE LISTINGS AT NCASCADES.ORG/GET_OUTSIDEOR CALL (360) 854-2599 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

All photos not marked are taken by Rick Allen — special thank you to Rick Allen for the donation of photos for this publication.