My idea & objective:

I have decided to do my free inquiry project on outdoor learning through Kootenay field trips. My objective is to figure out how to use technology to find resources on outdoor field trips I could potentially take my students on in the future, and to also try and implement the use of technology in these field trip ideas.

Introduction:

We live in such a beautiful area, and I am sure that I will be able to find a ton of potential field trip opportunities. I have many nearby places in mind to learn about local ecosystems and wildlife, such as the community forest, Gold Creek, South Star, and Wycliffe. I would also like to take students to farms/orchards to see more animal life and to learn about agriculture; our local fish hatchery and Fort Steele could have potential for this.

For my free inquiry project, I am hoping to visit some of these places as well as research them, so that I can get a good understanding of what the field trips would actually look like.

I’d also like to try and tie the use of technology into some of my outdoor field trips. I plan on doing this by further researching geocaching, field journals apps, nature apps, the use of drones and photo taking.

I would also like to learn and research more about tying Indigenous Peoples knowledge and practises into outdoor field trips. I think that beginning field trips with a land acknowledgement is something I would like to always include. I also think that looking into sustainable practices for resource management, researching plants and animals through an Indigenous Peoples’s perspective, and even engaging in traditional crafts such as basket weaving would all tie into my topic idea, and greatly benefit my educational portfolio!

Who will my Free Inquiry Project Benefit?

I can’t wait to learn more about the wonderful area that I call home. I think that this project can prove to be beneficial for not only me, but also for my classmates and any other educators that are reading my blog posts. This is because my posts will give readers field trip ideas for the surrounding area, as well knowledge on how to implement these ideas smoothly for students, and an explanation on why the field trip would be beneficial!

The Beautiful Canadian Rockies

Photo Source: 10Adventures.com