The zoological society of SAN diego is dedicated to partnering with the U.S. Fish and wildlife service to support teachers and their students as stewards of wildlife and wild places

Our request will provide free laboratory and field research experiences to 18 stem teachers and approximately 576 students from schools across SAN diego and LOS angeles counties. Selected southern california teachers will first engage with our teacher workshops in conservation science. The workshop curriculum addresses a wide range of topics from a multitude of stem disciplines including spatial ecology and restoration and reintroduction biology and the human dimensions of conservation. IT also includes a group project that engages teachers in the process of open inquiry and teaches them how to guide this important process with their students. Participants will make scientific observations at the SAN diego ZOO safari park and share their results to the cohort. Next workshop alumni will bring their students (approximately 576 students) to the outdoor learning lab to engage with our life in a biodiversity hotspot interactive field research curriculum. IT is designed to enhance the inquiry and critical thinking skills of the students as they discover and monitor native species. IT will also increase their interest in stem careers related to species recovery and enhance their appreciation of their unique natural heritage and increase familiarity with the health and composition of local ecosystems. The field research experience in the outdoor learning lab will connect students to nature as they learn about and observe the native plants and animals that are part of the california floristic province. Our aim is not only to expand teacher knowledge and familiarity with conservation stewardship through relevant lab and field experiences. We will provide a meaningful and relevant context for the ngss so that our teacher partners not only meet their campus and district requirements but also fulfill their commitment to fostering the next generation of stem professionals.