East Bay Regional Parks District: Embrace Life!

Activities » For Educators » 2008 Educators Academy Class Descriptions

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Spring Quarter

Course No. 17052: Unleash the Inner Artist

Quarter Unit: 1
Date and Time: April 26, Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol
Naturalist: Cat Taylor
Fee Without Academic Credit: $45 resident, ($51 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

Let's draw on the artist within! For educators of all artistic levels––we'll spend the morning learning exercises that will teach our eyes to see and our brains to record as we seek out positive/negative spatial relationships, values, composition, gesture drawing, and practice various right-brain exercises. In the afternoon, we'll go for a hike into the hills to put our newfound skills to the test––with expansive views and hillsides of wildflowers, it should make for an unforgettable experience as we sketch our way over hill and dale to the famed Little Yosemite Gorge for another drawing opportunity. At day's end we'll admire our artistic efforts and discuss how to incorporate these techniques into the classroom. We'll be using a variety of media. A letter with suggested materials list will be mailed after registration. Back to top

Summer Quarter

Course No. 17053: Project Learning Tree

Quarter Unit: 1
Date and Time: July 26, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: Redwood Regional Park, Oakland
Naturalist: Gail Broesder
Fee Without Academic Credit: $45 resident, ($51 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

For anyone who is interested in education or learning about the environment, here's your chance. PLT (Project Learning Tree) is an international, award-winning education program designed to reach grades K-12. Participants receive the PLT activity guide, practice its use, and receive help with California State Academic Standards correlation. For more information call 510-521-6887. Back to top

Course No. 17054: Ohlone Games and Tools for Your Classroom

Quarter Unit: 2
Date and Time: July 23–24, Wednesday & Thursday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location: Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
Naturalist: Dino Labiste
Fee Without Academic Credit: $55 resident, ($63 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

This hands-on workshop is designed for teachers and individuals interested in Ohlone material culture. Participants will enrich their knowledge of Ohlone culture and create a "cultural teaching kit" that will help cultural history come alive for students. Each day, participants will create replicas using traditional natural materials. The cultural teaching kit includes a bone tool, dogbane cordage, hoop & pole game, miniature tule mat, teacher's resource guide, and recommended book list. Class information is aligned with the California State Academic Content Standards. Back to top

Course No. 17055: Coast Alive! Six Day Institute

Quarter Unit: 5
Date and Time: August 3–8, Sunday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Various Regional Parks
Naturalist: Sharol Nelson-Embry with various naturalists and educators
Fee Without Academic Credit: $50 resident, ($56 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

Targeting upper elementary and middle school teachers and educators, Coast Alive! Land-Sea Interface curriculum teaches about the ecology and geology of the San Francisco Bay Region (and how it relates to ocean literacy) through field work and 30 standards-based activities to use in your classroom. Over the course of six days, we focus on experimental design, and integrate math and language arts with science. The first day we'll meet at Tilden Regional Park, then visit various East Bay Regional Parks to experience first-hand the ecology of wetland, upland, and sandy beach habitats. Return with students to conduct field studies. Stipend for participation offered by California Institute for Biodiversity. For additional information see www.eurekaseries.org. Back to top

Course No. 17056: Coast Alive! Field Study Day

Quarter Unit: 1
Date and Time: August 9, Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: On the Bay
Naturalist: Sharol Nelson-Embry
Fee Without Academic Credit: $50 resident, ($56 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

Join us for an "on the water" field day to experience first-hand the ecology of wetland, upland, and sandy beach habitats. This class is designed exclusively for participants registered in the Coast Alive! Six Day Institute. Price includes canoe rental. For additional information see www.eurekaseries.org. Back to top

Fall Quarter

Course No. 17057: Things That Go Bump in the Night

Quarter Unit: 1
Date and Time: September 20, Saturday, 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m. and September 27, Saturday, 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Location: Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness, Sunol
Naturalist: Cat Taylor
Fee Without Academic Credit: $45 resident, ($51 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

Join us for two remarkable evenings concentrating on the nighttime world. The first night we'll learn about the unique challenges facing nocturnal critters and the adaptations they possess before going on a three-mile hike up Indian Joe Creek to listen for hooting owls, howling coyotes, and chirping crickets. At High Valley, we'll attempt to spy on bats before descending in darkness, testing our own senses. The second evening will concentrate on the night sky through activities and multicultural tales that will allow us to navigate around the late summer night sky. We'll identify north by finding Polaris, and discover the joys of naked-eye astronomy as we learn to use star maps and star wheels (must attend both evenings to receive credit). Back to top

Course No. 17058: Crafts, Stories, Science, and Songs

Quarter Unit: 1
Date and Time: September 13–14, Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Location: Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
Naturalist: Linda Yemoto
Fee Without Academic Credit: $50 resident, ($56 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

In this special two-day course, you will learn inexpensive and easy ways to liven up your lessons on natural history and science. This year we will emphasize weather, water, and plants. Have fun creating crafts, learning stories, and singing simple songs that you can take right back to your classroom. Ideal for pre-school to 3rd grade teachers; aligned with the California State Academic Content Standards. Back to top

Course No. 17059: Project WET!

Quarter Unit: 1
Date and Time: September 6, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Location: Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
Naturalist: Meg Platt
Fee Without Academic Credit: $45 resident, ($51 non-resident)
Registration: Required. Call 1-888-EBPARKS.

The innovative Project WET! (Water Education for Teachers) course is the newest teacher project from the State Water Education Foundation and Water Department. This fun workshop will provide exciting hands-on activities to explore across the curriculum. It serves as an introduction to the investigation of water and its uses––from aquatic ecosystems, water conservation, and groundwater, to water pollution prevention and wastewater treatment. The Activity and Curriculum Guide includes them all! Correlated to California State Academic Content Standards. Cosponsored by Contra Costa Water District and East Bay Municipal Utility District. Back to top

EBRPD Special Project

Date: April 26–September 27

This is offered as an adjunct to each session. An additional independent study unit, EBRPD Special Project, may be obtained for educators who design their own project based on the content of core classes, field test the project with students, and write a summary of the results. The independent study requires a minimum of 10 hours commitment (including class time). Sign up for independent study on the first day of class for $59 each (fees subject to change without notice). Back to top

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