Letterboxing while you socially distance...scavenger hunt hiking!

I have been an avid letterboxer for over 10 years.  I have dragged family, friends, and strangers on these deliberate hunts in all kinds of places.  Sometimes it has been a wild goose chase (in Lake Tahoe and on the shore of Puget Sound, and southeast Alaska to name a few memorable hunts) but most of the time, we find a hidden box right where the clues lead us.  The small containers have a stamp and a logbook for finders to document their success.  These boxes are hidden in plain site all over the world, and I have loved discovering new places as I follow the directions.  They are placed on tops of mountains, and underneath park benches.  They are NOT supposed to be left in national parks or other restricted areas, but they are near entrances in West Yellowstone and other popular tourist destinations. 

You can find clues using a variety of apps and websites, but I stick with
https://www.atlasquest.com/
http://letterboxing.org/

Look up your area and see if anyone has hidden a box to find.  Geocaching is related, but I like the no-tech features of letterboxing.  As you safely explore the world around you, enjoy a new hobby!  It is so fun!

Online learning, Guest Speakers, and the Genetic Science Learning Center

This semester,  I am teaching a "Science in Society" general education course for the College of Southern Idaho.  The purpose of the course is to develop a strong sense of connection between a variety of disciplines, including natural sciences, oral and written communication, social sciences, and the humanities.  We will also uncover and correct common misconceptions that impact our decision making and perception of the world. 

Each week we cover a specific scientific discipline and relate it to our daily lives.  Along with every other teacher in America, I moved my class to online delivery using primarily ZOOM sessions.   And of course, I modified the scope of topics to include the ongoing impact of COVID 19 and infectious disease prevention and treatments.

Yesterday, as I mentioned in my previous post, we also had an earthquake in the central mountains of Idaho, so it was great to hear from our local Geology instructor during our class discussion.  Remote learning is a challenge for all of us, but it does allow for new opportunities.

I shared one of my favorite teaching resources from the University of Utah Genetics Learning Center.  Both sites...the learn.genetics.edu and teach.genetics.edu are full of interactive resources and virtual labs for all ages.  For an at-home activity, my students can do the Family Traits Trivia Game.  We can learn a lot about our families while we spend so much unexpected time together!

https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/

https://teach.genetics.utah.edu/

And then we had an Earthquake!!

Tonight, just before 6:00 PM MST, we felt the house sway and the light fixtures swing in the kitchen.  It was a 6.5 earthquake right here in Idaho, and the epicenter was in the central mountains above Stanley.   Go to the USGS site and look up this particular earthquake, and you can help the scientists by recording what the earthquake felt like to you in your location.   I have attached a FB post from CSI Geology Instructor (and author of Geology Underfoot in Southern Idaho), Shawn Willsey, as he explains the science behind the quake!  March has been nothing short of memorable!



https://www.facebook.com/GeologyUnderfootinSouthernIdaho/?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARDOs-YcFXCX0AYbveNw1l0soyQrsIl0hBgOC7SmdjXfPKmQIsPu7-WKP0YKLBeUmpc84mm7MuoHFPrQ&fref=mentions

https://mountain-press.com/collections/geology-underfoot/products/geology-underfoot-southern-idaho

Exploring City of Rocks and Castle Rocks State Park virtually with the Junior Ranger Program

Last month, I visited Castle Rocks State Park near my home and went for a snowshoeing adventure.  I met Kate, a new Ranger in charge of Visitor services, including educational programs.  She has invited kids K-6 to watch a series of YouTube videos that will help them participate in the Junior Ranger program.  For years, we did that program with our kids during our regular visits to Yellowstone National Park, and I am excited to support our local National Reserve and State Park again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhQKe_AhXL4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2pRnLxEKN-hOLAMWh8p_BOFaUQ_tvCymOUja8_jhFTJXx15izkBu0wb34

"Junior Rangers! Join City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park Rangers over the next few weeks as we virtually explore the natural and historic resources of the parks. Each week we will be exploring different subjects and doing activities that you can follow along with at home.

Like us and subscribe on YouTube to make sure you don't miss any of our videos. Questions, comments, and suggestions for future videos can be posted to Facebook or YouTube."

Geology tour at ISU

During my visit to ISU this week I was reminded that there are opportunities everywhere to learn something new about Idaho science.   Outside most of the buildings on the ISU campus, there are big rocks displayed.  Each rock comes from a different county in Idaho, which makes them a geography lesson as well as a geology lesson.  

As I stood next to one of the displays, one of my former CSI colleagues came out of his new office and asked me about them.   He had no idea this geology walking tour existed!   Someday I'll stay long enough on campus to find all the county rocks.    Look around. ..what evidence do you see of Idaho STEM in action?

My Idaho Adventures!

I have been spoiled and overwhelmed with my recent adventures in our great State of Idaho.  In July alone, my family and I have played in Island Park, (rafted in Jackson Hole - which is not Idaho but we were on the Snake River so that still kind of counts!!), hiked in the Sawtooth Wilderness outside of Stanley, and explored City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park!  Seriously, it just doesn't get much better than summer in Idaho.  And the rasberries are on in the backyard!  Awesome!  Enjoy a few of our recent pictures.  I will add more because it is only the middle of July!

City of Rocks and Castle Rocks State Park

Galena Summit

Fishing in Stanley

Pomerelle, Howells Canyon

  

Mesa Falls near Ashton

Big Springs, Island Park

Jackson Hole, WY

Great Teacher Opportunity for PBL and AL

I am a fan of field trips, but adventure learning is even better because there is a higher expectation for student learning.  Here is a wonderful opportunity for teachers in the Magic Valley to work with a team at Craters of the Moon.

https://mail1.csi.edu/owa/WebReadyView.aspx?t=att&id=RgAAAAB2mE%2b8q%2f%2faQaiUVs7HAKrWBwAMK2X2tXzkQod1Y6PjMQkuAINQdza2AACGXJE0asl%2fQZrLbq%2b6NvU3AABI4ofKAAAJ&attid0=BAAAAAAA&attcnt=1&pspid=_1351280852396_639292256

I wish I could participate, but I hope you do!

Geology of Southern Idaho CSI Course

I was studying our Fall courses today at the Mini-Cassia Center, and Tim's class really caught my eye.  This is my kind of class, and I am planning to take it.  This is a perfect class for teachers since it is once a week, after school, with no textbook.  Field trips are involved as well.  No brainer!!  Share this class with your colleagues and I will see you in the Geology classroom!

W 4:30 PM-6:50 PM 8/27/2012 - 12/20/2012 Mini Cassia Center, Mini Cassia Center, B11

Course Description

This course explores the geologic processes that have formed the unique and varied landscape of southern Idaho. The course will examine important events and/or topics related to the geologic development of southern Idaho such as the Yellowstone "hot spot", the 1983 Borah Peak earthquake, recent volcanism in the Snake River Plain, groundwater in southern Idaho, the Bonneville Flood, Ice Age glaciers, and landslides in the Snake River Canyon. The course will include required field trips to local areas of geologic interest.