DNS - Unbound Teacher Workshop, Joplin, MO

The Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program, Nature Unbound, is a curriculum of 9 chapters designed for 9th-12th grade students with engaging, hands-on outdoor learning that focuses on wildlife management, ecology, adaptations, populations, interactions, and biodiversity. The curriculum supports Missouri Learning Standards (MLS) in science, particularly life science.  Summative assessments follow each unit. 

The lessons culminate with a performance-based assessment for which students apply all knowledge and skills learned from the curriculum to create a Natural Resource Management Plan. For this plan, students must provide an overview of the area studied, status and goals of the area, strategies to improve the area, and an assessment plan. This section also includes rubrics for data sheets, checklists for notebook elements, student oral presentations, science writing, and experimental design.  

This training introduces teachers to the free teacher and student materials as well as the MDC Teacher Portal and other resources. It prepares participants to teach the lessons and address concerns with structured outdoor activities. Participating teachers become certified to receive the DNS grant funding for classroom materials and field experiences.   

The Nature Unbound curriculum includes the following free materials: 

• Fully colored, illustrated student books 
• Student science notebooks 
• Lesson plans that include outdoor exploration and summative assessments 
• An initial $1000 non-competitive school-wide grant for classroom materials and an annual travel reimbursement for field experience. A $500 non-competitive maintenance grant for classroom materials is available after every 3 years of participation in the Nature Unbound program.