Projects WILD & WILD Aquatic

Project WILD and Aquatic WILD are time-proven effective activity guides that support teaching in and learning about the environment. Learn about wildlife and nature with hands-on experiences you can share with your students. Easily add any Project WILD or Aquatic WILD activity to your curriculum. Each lesson is tested in real classrooms to ensure effectiveness and excellent student participation.

Upcoming Workshops and Training Opportunities
Field Investigations Using Projects WILD, Aquatic WILD and Learning Tree
July 19-20, 2022
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kent Park, 2048 US-6, Oxford, IA 52322
1 recertification or graduate credit available for Iowa teachers.

The goal of this course is to help you utilize a STEM-based approach that incorporates local natural resources as unifying themes to implement Iowa Core concepts in your curriculum. Participants will conduct field investigations in aquatic, forest, and prairie habitats, and experience related activities from the national award-winning Projects. We will demonstrate age-appropriate practice for collecting, analyzing, and communicating about authentic data. The final project for the course is to develop a teaching unit that includes field investigations and integrates the teaching resources provided.

Register through the Iowa AEA Professional Learning Registration system.. Materials and supplies fee ($100) covers guides and lunches both days. This training is supported by a national Project WILD EE360 grant. The fee reflects a discount of $25 on guides. Participants who complete all coursework and receive a passing grade are also eligible for an additional $50 refund as part of this grant.

Projects WILD and Aquatic Wild Self-Guided Modules
Online - On Demand
No credit option; Guides only

Project WILD and Aquatic WILD training modules are now available online. Educators who complete the modules can then order the activity guides. Check out the Iowa WILD Training Site to learn more.

Growing Up WILD builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlifeand the world around them. Provide an early foundation for your students with this collection of activities written by educators and wildlife professionals and reviewed by early childhood education experts.

Activities have been correlated to national standards for early childhood education – NAEYC Criteria for Curriculum, Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and the NAAEE Early Childhood Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. Additional correlations have been drafted to Iowa Early Childhood program and curriculum standards – Quality Preschool Program Standards, Iowa Early Learning Standards, and the Iowa Core Curriculum.

Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.

Iowa State University Extension provides Growing Up WILD training for early childhood professionals that include continuing education credits through the Iowa Department of Public Health. Visit the ISU Extension GUW Training site to find a class.

Correlations to Iowa Standards Alignment to Iowa Early Learning Standards Alignment to Iowa Learning Standards Alignment to Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards Alignment to Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards

Upcoming Workshops and Training Opportunities

Outdoor Inquiry for Early Learners
July 12-13, 2022
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Springbrook State Park, 2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center, IA 50115

Learn how to build upon children’s sense of wonder about the world around them through relevant, inquiry-based exploration. Participants will be introduced to strategies, skills, and resources (including Growing Up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood) to help them lead children in age-appropriate, interdisciplinary outdoor experiences. Group activities will help participants integrate nature based activities into their current teaching situation. Participants will make and take outdoor learning kits. Teacher recertification credit available.

Register through the Iowa AEA Professional Learning Registration system.

edinfo@dnr.iowa.gov
515-494-3891

WILD About Remote Learning

Correlation of Next Generation Science Standards:
with Project WILD Activities
with Aquatic WILD Activities