Wildlands Science Research School is a partnership between the Augusta School District and Beaver Creek Reserve, using the natural environment surrounding Beaver Creek Reserve as the classroom. Students share the Reserve's Citizen Science Center's lab and computer facilities. The school has a mobile lab bus equipped for field work; a floating lab pontoon and boats for lake research; canoes and kayaks for river work; and skis and snowshoes for winter research. Wildlands is open to any student through the open enrollment process. It offers two programs: 7th and 8th grade integrated middle school and 11th and 12th grade advanced research.
Wildlands uses scientific research and project-based learning as the focus of the school's innovative curriculum. Project learning is based on a contructivist model of learning that engages students in real-world, scholarly activity.
Some possible projects might include:
- Calculating the range of black bears in the county with a radio telemetry tracking system, then reporting the likely range and habitat for bears during specific seasons.
- Restoring habitats; evaluating restoration methods or conducting field studies to evaluate potential habitat improvement projects.
- Researching and mapping historical land use and current development trends.
- Using the techniques of molecular biology to determine the genetic diversity of a natural population.
- Following a student's own research interests and teaming with professionals in their field of interest.
Complete information about Wildlands school at http://www.wildlandschool.net.
