Challenges for Elementary School Students (CHESS)

Future BESTS - July 28-Aug 1

Environmental Explorers (Grades 2-3) - 9 am-12 pm

Explore 500 million years of Iowa’s natural and cultural history using the…

Museum of Natural History’s Iowa Hall as a timeline, students will explore 500 million years of Iowa’s natural and cultural history with challenging yet enjoyable lessons and hands-on activities in geology, archaeology, ecology, and biology. Learn how modern scientists at the UI are continuing the tradition of historic explorers when learning about the past. Students will explore the expansive primary research collections in archaeology, paleontology, and more available at the University of Iowa and see the modern tools used in research today. Students will also go behind the scenes in the Museum’s new Biosphere Discovery Hub (open to the public September 2007), which will be Iowa’s gateway to the global environment. Learn how we can become environmental explorers in our own backyards!

Instructors

Sarah Horgen received her Bachelors Degree in Anthropology, with a focus in Archaeology, from the University of Iowa. Since graduation, she spent several years with the UI Office of the State Archaeologist as Assistant Collections Manager and Education & Outreach Assistant before becoming Education & Outreach Coordinator for the UI Museum of Natural History. Her main tasks with the Museum include creating and coordinating educational programs for visitors of all ages, overseeing museum tours, and supervising student staff and volunteers. She has participated in and taught numerous archaeology and natural history education and outreach programs throughout Iowa, including several Belin-Blank Center classes. Sarah lives with her husband Dan, also an archaeologist and avid nature explorer, in West Branch.