About the Program
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences created the Educators of Excellence Institutes to enable exemplary educators to:
- Experience the natural world in selected outstanding environments;
- Increase the use of reflection and direct environmental experience in teaching;
- Become inspired and recommitted to the teaching profession;
- Become a part of a statewide network of exceptional educators for continued support and learning.
Since 1987, educators from across North Carolina have been inspired by their experiences in outstanding natural areas such as Belize, Ecuador, and Yellowstone National Park. The Institutes are available at low cost because of the support from the Friends of the Museum’s Educators of Excellence Fund.
2023 Institutes
YELLOWSTONE IN WINTER
- Observe winter wildlife at dusk and dawn
- Experience steam and ice in geothermal basins
- Snowshoe beneath snow-capped mountains
- Travel into the Park’s interior aboard a snowcoach
Participating educators will experience the magic of Yellowstone National Park in its harshest and quietest season. Learn about the adaptations of Yellowstone’s wildlife to survive the bottleneck of winter. Experience the Park’s unique geothermal features as cold air turns steam to rime ice. Take in the white-cloaked mountains while snowshoeing through snowy meadows. Notice the many critters that roam the Park as they leave tracks in the snow. The daily program will include morning and evening wildlife watching, interactions with scientists and local experts, and an overnight snowcoach journey to Old Faithful. Discover strategies for teaching about winter weather, wildlife, geology, and the conservation of wild places. Students can follow along and ask questions as we post daily blogs from the field. Return to the classroom refreshed and full of new ideas for bringing natural science to life.
Dates: January 11-17, 2023 (Mandatory pre- and post-trip sessions will be held in Raleigh on December 3, 2022 and November 4, 2023.)
Locations: Yellowstone National Park, Montana and Wyoming and Raleigh, N.C.
Group Size: Limited to 10 participants.
Activity Level: Moderate to rigorous including walking and hiking on uneven terrain at high altitudes in cold conditions.
Cost: $1000 (Includes supplies; round-trip airfare from Raleigh to Bozeman, MT; all ground transportation; snowcoach tour to Old Faithful instruction; some meals; and lodging.) Participants will be responsible for travel to and from Raleigh, expenses in Raleigh during pre- and post-trip sessions, and some meals in Yellowstone. Many participants receive funding from their local civic or professional organizations.
YELLOWSTONE INSTITUTE
- Experience one of North America’s greatest concentrations of wildlife
- Observe world-class geological wonders
- Learn about the history and management of America’s first national park
- Learn from scientists and experts
Participating educators will study and experience the wonders of the world’s first national park. Join us from sunrise to sunset as we observe the incredible wildlife of Yellowstone, including bears, bison, wolves, and elk. Learn about the area’s unique geology while exploring the amazing world of geysers, hot springs, and mudpots. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of the northern Rocky Mountains as we hike trails throughout the park. The daily program will include field experiences, opportunities to meet with park staff and other experts, and activities designed to help integrate your experiences into the classroom. Discover strategies for exploring the connections between Yellowstone and North Carolina — wolf and elk reintroduction, fire ecology, resource management issues, and much more. During the trip, participants will provide daily updates to students in North Carolina via a blog. Read daily journals from previous trips on the Yellowstone Institute blog.
Dates: June 15-23, 2023 (Mandatory post-trip session will be held in Raleigh on November 5, 2022.)
Locations: Yellowstone National Park, Montana and Wyoming and Raleigh, N.C.
Group Size: Limited to 12-14 participants.
Activity Level: Moderate to rigorous including walking and hiking on uneven terrain at high altitudes.
Cost: $1000 (Includes supplies; round-trip airfare from Raleigh to Bozeman, MT; all ground transportation; instruction and lodging.) Participants will be responsible for travel to and from Raleigh, expenses in Raleigh during pre- and post-trip sessions, and most meals in Yellowstone. Many participants receive funding from their local civic or professional organizations.
TROPICAL ECOLOGY INSTITUTE
- Explore a tropical rain forest
- Visit Mayan ruins
- Experience limestone caves
- Snorkel on the reef
Participants will experience several tropical habitats, including coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and rain forests. Explore and amazing diversity of neotropical bird and insect species with morning bird walks and evening insect explorations. Learn about Mayan culture and watch a master chocolatier turn cacao into chocolate. Experience the calls of red-eyed treefrogs on an evening visit to their wetland home. Discover the colorful variety of tropical fishes while snorkeling Belize’s world-renowned reef. Build connections with Belizean educators as you get to know local teacher participants. The daily program will include practical field experiences, basic biological information, and easily duplicated techniques for teaching natural sciences. Students can follow along and ask questions as we post daily blogs from the field.
Dates: July 17-25, 2023 (Mandatory pre- and post-trip sessions will be held in Raleigh on April 29 and November 4, 2023.)
Locations: Belize, Central America and Raleigh, NC.
Group Size: Limited to 12. (Note: Belizean teachers will join with American educators to form an international team that shares teaching techniques.)
Activity Level: Moderate to rigorous including walking/hiking in tropical (high heat/humidity) settings, swimming, and snorkeling.
Cost: $1500 (includes supplies, round-trip airfare from Raleigh to Belize, instruction, lodging, and meals). Participants will be responsible for travel to and from Raleigh, expenses in Raleigh during pre- and post-trip sessions, and most meals in Yellowstone. Many participants receive funding from their local civic or professional organizations.
REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATIONS
Please note that in-person programs are subject to change or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. A full refund would be provided in event of a cancellation.