Science Zone & Wyoming Geological Association Partner for Exhibit & Workshop Experiences for Natrona County Schools

Science Zone & Wyoming Geological Association Partner for Exhibit & Workshop Experiences for Natrona County Schools

The Science Zone and the Wyoming Geological Association (WGA) are excited to announce a partnership to provide funded field trip opportunities for 4th grade classrooms to explore local geology. This initiative features the newly acquired 2,000-square-foot “When the Earth Shakes” exhibit, which includes a 17-foot tsunami tank, interactive models of plate tectonics, and demonstrations of the role earthquakes play in these dynamic forces. The exhibit was purchased with funding from the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board.

This new partnership allows 4th grade classrooms within Natrona County School District (NCSD) to request a field trip to The Science Zone to explore the “When the Earth Shakes” exhibit. Funding for this partnership is provided by a generous grant from the Wyoming Geological Association’s endowment, established by the Wold Foundation. “I am very thankful to the Wold Foundation for making these funds available and their continued support to the WGA” says Ben Grau, President of the Wyoming Geological Association Board. Peter Wold, a director of the Wold Foundation said “we are excited to support this educational opportunity for NCSD 4th graders. This project teaches these young students, in a fun way, about geology that is so important to Wyoming and our nation.”These funds will enable 10 classrooms to explore the new exhibit at The Science Zone and experience a hands-on science workshop focused on Wyoming geology. An additional 20 classrooms will have the opportunity to visit The Science Zone’s exhibits, with the option to add the workshop to complete the experience. Sign-ups for teachers are on a first-come, first-served basis.

With the addition of this exhibit and the support of the WGA, The Science Zone is uniquely positioned to offer hands-on experiences for 4th grade classrooms across the NCSD. “Creating experiences for youth to understand our local geology is a huge opportunity,” says Amanda Blades, Director of Education at The Science Zone.

The field trip workshops will incorporate fundamentals aimed at addressing 4th-grade school district standards while also providing opportunities to understand the unique geologic structures of Wyoming. “I am extremely excited about the WGA-Science Zone partnership. This is a great way to continue the WGA’s vision to promote the field of geology and fulfill John Wold’s wishes for K-12 education in geosciences,” says Ben Grau. “This program is going to light a spark in the minds of these kids and get them thinking about geology and earth sciences.”

Blades adds, “The wonderful thing about these field trip opportunities is the extended reach they will have in the community. The Science Zone will not only deliver place-based education on earth-shattering topics but also plans to extend the learning with resources that teachers can use before and after their visit to reinforce these important concepts.”

The Science Zone would like to thank the Wyoming Geological Association, the Wold Foundation, and the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board for their invaluable contributions in making this project a reality.

To apply for one of these great opportunities, please click the button below or call (307) 473-ZONE.