The Missouri Department of Conservation's Discover Nature Schools (DNS) program includes engaging curriculum that involves hands-on outdoor learning of Missouri's ecosystems. Aligned to both the Missouri Learning Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, units are designed to meet teachers' curricular goals and objectives.
Nature Unfolds and Nature Unleashed are two instructional units within the DNS program. Warren County R-3 has adopted these units as part of the curriculum for Kindergarten (Nature Unfolds) and 3rd grade (Nature Unleashed). During this combined training, teachers will become familiar with the teachers guides, student books, and science notebooks, and also the online Teacher Portal. By experiencing some of the activities and discussing outdoor learning, teachers will become more comfortable and prepared to teach the activities within the units. Teachers will also become certified to receive DNS grant funds for their schools. Student materials will be distributed to teachers during the workshop.