Science Education During Recreation in Wilderness Parks: Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks, New York

May 1st, 1998 - April 30th, 2000 | PROJECT

The Department of Geological Sciences at Rutgers, in collaboration with the Liberty Science Center, the New York State Museum, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Appalachian Trail Conference, and ABS-Capital Cities, Inc., has a planning grant to develop a universal model that will encourage science education in conjunction with outdoor recreational activities in wilderness parks near urban centers. The initial effort will focus on the Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks and the Sterling Forest lands, all near New York City. Current plans for the full project include development of: 1) an illustrated guidebook describing the features chosen as "exhibits" at the sites, 2) a map showing locations of the "exhibits", 3) plaques marking the features of the exhibits, 4) proposals for new trails to access outstanding botanical and geological features, 5) a web site with virtual reality filed trips of the sites chosen, 6) museum displays and media programs at Liberty Science Center, the New York State Museum, and other sites, 7) regular field trips from Liberty Science Center, New York State Museum, and Bear Mountain Trailside Museum, 8) workshops for high school teachers, and 9) special project to get more public use of the park resources. During the planning stage the project will gather data on public interest, determine the most effective means of dissemination, identify and contact other organizations and scientist that could contribute to the full project, and develop a coordination plan and schedule for this complex project. Small examples and/or written descriptions of the web-site, the guidebook stops, museum displays, and field trips will also be produced in the planning phase.

Project Website(s)

(no project website provided)

Team Members

Alexander Gates, Principal Investigator, Rutgers University New Brunswick

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9730087
Funding Amount: 41976

Tags

Audience: Evaluators | General Public | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Geoscience and geography
Resource Type: Project Descriptions
Environment Type: Exhibitions | Media and Technology | Museum and Science Center Programs | Park | Outdoor | Garden Programs | Parks | Outdoor | Garden Exhibits | Professional Development | Conferences | Networks | Professional Development and Workshops | Public Programs | Websites | Mobile Apps | Online Media