Reach Out to Inspire with the Natural World

Ivy Creek Foundation will begin a new program of outreach for schools. Instead of waiting and hoping for schools to come to Ivy Creek Natural Area to inspire them with direct connection to the natural world the Foundation will go to the schools to develop programs and classes before visits and for followup visits. Ivy Creek has many connections with people with a great deal of expertise in the natural sciences. We are proposing to bring that expertise to the schools to make the Ivy Creek Natural Area experience that much more powerful. If you or your school are interested in participating please contact us at programs at ivycreekfoundation.org or leave a message at (434) 973-7772.

We’ve already developed some units for upper grades. (1) skull forensics unit for local 7th grade classes to complement their biology studies. (2) Weather forecasting and (3) green roofs.

(Skull forensics) The discussion began with teeth: what they are used for, what they are called, where they are located, comparing human teeth with those of other mammals. The dialogue was supported by powerful projected images of animal skulls, and then small groups of students had the opportunity to examine real mammalian skulls and were challenged to identify what kind of eater they might have belonged to. ICF is currently working from this experience to develop an environmental education unit on skulls forensics, linked to the Virginia Standards of Learning and 7th grade biology studies, and seeking funding to roll it out to 2,500 local area students in spring 2009.