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The Yampa Valley Science School (YVSS) is a program of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. It is a place-based experience designed for sixth grade students of the Yampa Valley. The curriculum consists of experiential science activities. The YVSS makes several links throughout the Yampa Valley: Youth to the environment, youth to each other, and intergenerational relationships. Students from throughout the area experience a local sense of place. Students and teachers, young and old community members, professionals, and non-professionals are all linked through the school, the curriculum, and the projects.
Goals and Objectives
- Provide place-based environmental science education to sixth grade students in the Yampa Valley.
- Strengthen several links throughout the Yampa Valley: Generational, environmental, and community.
- Raise the performance level of students by incorporating math, reading, writing, history, geography, and science.
- Foster environmental and community stewardship in youth.
Students
Students are taught various environmental science concepts by high school Junior Counselors, under the direction and supervision of several senior counselors and community resource specialists. Students spend five consecutive days and nights in a camp setting, utilizing natures resources for the actual activity sessions. The curriculum is developed with the assistance of the school teachers to insure integration into the classroom curriculum.
Junior Leaders
Junior Leaders (JL's) are chosen from local high schools, and are accountable for four to six sixth-grade students. Participating JL's gain leadership skills and contribute greatly to the grassroots ideals of the YVSS. The Junior Leaders are also responsible for supervising the community service project, which is part of the science school curriculum. Following the science school session, each Junior Leaders must prepare a community presentation regarding the Yampa Valley Science School.
Senior Leaders
Senior Leaders are young adults from the Yampa Valley with teaching, youth, and wilderness experience. They act as mentors to the Junior Leaders, who in turn act as mentors to the students. The Senior Leaders oversee the Yampa Valley Science School, and assist the Junior Leaders in teaching the resource activities. Recreation activities encourage group trust and dynamics, as well as providing healthy breaks every day.
For more information on the Yampa Valley Science School, contact Gretchen Van De Carr at 970.879.2135 or e-mail to: gretchen@rockymountainyouthcorps.org. |
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