The following programs are currently available. All of them last between three and four hours (including a break for lunch) and are limited to twelve students. Larger groups can be accommodated by offering the same program over several days if desired. Most programs can be modified for the academic and developmental needs of any student group, from K through 12. There is a requested donation of $5 per student for these outings.
All outings are led or co-led by Clifford Blizard, Ph.D. Dr. Blizard holds degrees in environmental science and geology, as well as an Elementary teaching credential from the American Montessori Society. He has taught elementary and middle school as well as courses at the community college and university levels. He has also offered adult education programs in sense of place, and has led numerous outings for students ages 5 through 85. He is versed in, and enthusiastic about, all facets of natural history, including ecology, geology, entomology, botany, etc. He is also fascinated by cultural history and prehistory, and intrigued by landscape and story.
If there is some other facet of local natural or cultural history that particularly interests you, just let Clifford know, and he will be glad to tailor a program to fit your topic interests. There will be an additional one-time requested donation of $30 for developing a specially-designed program.
Rockin’ with Lichens (K-12)
This program will meet at Hutcheson Ferry Park on Hutcheson Ferry Road, in Chattahoochee Hills (directions to be provided). We will spend three hours exploring the park and learning about lichens and viewing other cultural and natural features at the park. The park includes a rock outcrop with old cedar trees, the remains of a rock quarry, woods, fields, and a lake.
Reading the River: An Introduction to Adopt-a-Stream (grades 3 and up)
This program will meet at a trailhead into Cochran Mill Park on Cochran Mill Road in Chattahoochee Hills (directions to be provided). We will spend three hours along Bear Creek, learning about chemical and biological stream monitoring, assessing the stream’s water quality and looking for “bugs” living there. This outing is intended as an introduction to Georgia’s Adopt-a-Stream program; should there be sufficient interest, Dr. Blizard plans to form a local group that would meet monthly to collect data at one or two streams in the area.
Creative Nature Study at The Cabin Path (K-12)
This outing will introduce students to The Cabin Path, an amazing privately-owned nature center in South Fulton (directions to be provided). The center is operated by Sarah Crutchfield, an enthusiastic and creative environmental educator. She will give students a tour of her woodlands and lakes, including a stone labyrinth and original pioneer log cabin. Then we will participate in one or more creative projects with Sarah, such as building outdoor fairy homes or crafting insects out of found natural materials. This outing is intended as an introduction to The Cabin Path and opportunities for doing natural history study and creative environmental art there; should there be sufficient interest, Dr. Blizard will be collaborating with Sarah to offer a monthly (or possibly weekly) nature study program there. You can read about The Cabin Path at http://www.thecabinpath.com/.
The Natural World Close-Up: Insects and Other Small Wonders (K-12)
This outing will take place at The Cabin Path, a private nature center in South Fulton (directions to be provided). The center is operated by Sarah Crutchfield, an enthusiastic and creative environmental educator. She will give students a tour of her woodlands and lakes, including a stone labyrinth and original pioneer log cabin. On our walk, we will explore the diversity of local insects and their habitats, including dragonflies, butterflies, and beetles. Valerie Hayes, a nature photographer, will accompany us on our walk, and will share some of her close-up insect photography with the students. (Check out The Cabin Path at http://www.thecabinpath.com/, and Valerie’s artwork at http://www.flickr.com/photos/67363961@N00/.
Georgia Archaeology (grades 3 and above)
On this outing, we will hike through the woods to the ruins of a couple of 19th century agricultural buildings and an abandoned family cemetery. While there, we will learn about how an archaeologist might conduct an excavation in order to learn more about the past from the site. This outing is intended as an introduction to archaeology; should there be sufficient interest, Dr. Blizard intends to offer a hands-on archaeological excavation opportunity for interested and dedicated students. That program would meet once a week for about three months, and would involve actually conducting a small-scale excavation, most likely one investigating prehistoric remains in the region. Our goal would be to document what we find, and report it to the state of Georgia for their database (see http://shapiro.anthro.uga.edu/GASF/site_pamphlet.html).
If you are interested in arranging one or more of these outing opportunities for your students (minimum of four participants and maximum of twelve, please), contact Dr. Clifford Blizard at senseofplacese@gmail.com or feel free to call him at (770)-463-2887.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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