Summer Teacher’s Workshop

Published: 2019
By Ardis Oelkers

“Archaeology and Paleontology” was the theme of the Teacher Training Workshop held in southwest Montana as a collective effort among Daniels, Richland, Roosevelt, and Sheridan County Extension Agents. The paleontology dig and camp setting was a first for the 19 educators from the surrounding area that attended the two-day workshop. Attendance at the workshop enables participants to use their hours towards recertification of their teaching license, as a PIR day or towards salary advancement. The majority of the teachers received OPI Renewal Credit, while some received undergraduate or graduate credit. Teachers toured the Carter County Museum in Ekalaka, which is a sister museum to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. The museum staff showcased curriculum and lesson plans on paleontology and archaeology. The paleontology portion included a half-day dig in the field on one of the museum’s paleontological microsites in the Hell Creek Formation. Guest speaker, John Ashley presented “Saving our Stars: Documenting the Montana Night Sky”. Ashley, a photographer and biologist has wandered around our state capturing elusive Montana beauty that can only be found in the dark – comets, meteor showers, shooting stars, northern lights and the Milky Way. Participants were amazed by the dazzling video and photographic tour of Montana at night. Workshop participants were able to use Medicine Rocks State Park as their outdoor classroom. They learned about the educational programs that are available from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Teachers were introduced to activities, resources, and curriculum that can be utilized in the classroom. Saving time and travel costs to these teachers are added benefits to the opportunity to earn credits and have professional curriculum provided by local MSU Extension Agents.