A new program at the University of Florida Ouest offers students of fifth year local year the possibility of coming to the UWF campus for an immersive and practical scientific exploration. UWF Explore Trips is part of the UWF Living Lab initiative, which encourages a greater academic and research commitment with the natural areas of the UWF campus, the facilitation of outdoor class sessions and the use of conservation areas for research opportunities. Samantha Zook-Johnson, coordinator of camps and community programs, had the idea of filling what she thought was a local need.
“As a teacher for nine years in northwest Florida, I saw that we lack opportunities on the ground, and I thought we could do more,” said Zook-Johnson. “When I arrived at the UWF last year, I saw that we had treated resources and things that teachers and students could live as well as the staff here who could share their knowledge. I received an email on the Lab Lab Uwf Living initiative being collaborative and community, and it was supposed to be.
A few months ago, UWF’s first trips were organized by the staff and UWF students took the fifth year students of the 180 -SS Dixon intermediate school on a guided nature march on the Edward Ball Nature Trail; presented them scientific tools and research practices in a tour of the biology laboratory; And provided the possibility of analyzing the photosynthesis of plants and environmental adaptations in an outdoor laboratory.
The DRE Sarah Tomina, biology instructor and laboratory coordinator, worked with UWF students to develop the basic knowledge necessary for the program and directed the part of the experience of each excursion.
“It’s been a long time since I have been engaged with students outside the college laboratory or the conference room,” said Tominack. “Working with Samantha, Shawna, Sydney and Anacatherine to develop and lead students in an experience of experience explore trips was a difficult job, but so much more rewarding. The young scholars who visited the UWF during each journey to explore to explore me with their knowledge, their energy and their true curiosity, which ultimately triggered a renewed curiosity and joy in my work as an educator. ”.
Each trip is two hours and aims to leave the students a better understanding of the nature and adaptations of plants and animals in their environment.
“As an adult in elementary education, UWF explores that travel has really helped strengthen my trust in teaching,” said UWF student Shawna Duke. “I have learned from the experience so much, especially on how to make the outings in the field really educational by connecting real experiences with the standards that students learn in class. I move away from this experience with a better understanding of how to teach in a way that sticks students – and with more confidence in my own ability to direct. ”
Zook-Johnson said they planned to welcome students from the County of Santa Rosa and Escambia more in the next academic year. They hope to organize ten semester trips.
For more information, visit Uwf.edu/xploretrips.