Conservation Science Curriculum
A practical approach to teaching science through the lens of conservation
The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, has developed a high school level course, Conservation Science, focusing on conservation of the environment. The curriculum is targeted to the eleventh and twelfth grade levels with traditional science topics taught in lessons applied to conservation, hunting, fishing, and boating. Materials can be used as a stand-alone elective course or incorporated into an existing science or agriculture course.
Students will develop skills, build an understanding of science and learn scientific techniques taught through the lens of conservation with an emphasis on hands-on, real-world activities. The curriculum focuses on wildlife conservation and the outdoor recreational activities that financially support the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, such as hunting, fishing, trapping, conservation work, shooting sports and boating. Conservation Science gives students a foundational basis for how these activities directly benefit habitat acquisition, enhancement and protection, as well as wildlife management, including game, non-game and endangered species. Students are not required to participate in these activities, but rather the lessons relate to these recreational activities. Some examples include:
Conservation Work
Investigate the effects of litter on wildlife and different habitats while conducting a cleanup project.
Fishing
Applying scientific methods and writing a formal lab report while testing the breaking strength of fishing knots.
Hunting
Learn anatomy standards during the processing of a game animal, such as a pheasant, rabbit or deer.
Shooting Sports
Apply standards of physics related to force, acceleration, aerodynamics and projectile motion to the flight of an arrow.
Boating
Learn about hydrology and apply physics, such as buoyant force, average density and volume, to kayaking.
Designed to Engage Students: Project-based learning, flipped classrooms, inquiry, depth of knowledge, critical-thinking skills and differentiated instruction are buzzword in education today. Conservation Adventures courses incorporate all of these concepts organically while using concrete, real-life examples to teach students the importance of conservation.
Versatile: Most states require students to take three (or more) credits of science to graduate. With approval from your school district, the Conservation Science class could fulfill the third credit required. If a student takes more than the required science credits, this course could fulfill a required elective credit. Additionally, many schools use the curriculum for their agricultural science programs.
Course Resources Provided
Turnkey classroom implementation and training
Student Workbook: A paperback, consumable workbook containing the different units of study. The workbook is designed for the students to read the daily topic and complete the introductory assignment prior to coming to class. Class time can then be spent applying the content, answering students’ questions and exploring the topic in more detail. (Each student will also receive a digital version of the workbook)
Teacher Edition Workbook: This includes answer keys, grading rubrics, suggested course sequence and unit duration, national and state science standards covered in each unit or activity, assessments for each unit, etc.
Online Materials & Resources: The teacher will have an online login that allows access to:
- Digital versions of the student and teacher handbooks
- Links to online resources for each unit
- Additional teacher materials, including: suggested labs/experiments, activities, projects, assessments, etc.
- Ongoing Support: Conservation Adventures staff will be available to help organize, plan and implement course activities. This includes, but is not limited to, helping to schedule guest speakers, provide or help source the necessary equipment and supplies for various course activities, etc.
- Teacher Trainings: We also offer training sessions for instructors.
Relevance to State Curriculum
Our course offerings provide students with a curriculum that aligns with state requirements for graduation. For example, the Conservation Science class could fulfill the third science credit required for graduation in Ohio or Pennsylvania. If a student takes more than the required science credits, this course could also fulfill one of the five required elective credits.
To learn more, including receiving samples of the book, labs, projects or to speak to someone in person, click below.