Save A Species: Wildlife and Human Impact
This course, eligible for CTLE and P-Credits, is designed to provide secondary science teachers with the content and pedagogical framework to implement a student-centered unit on human impact on the environment including climate change, ecology, or conservation biology. Participants will engage in a course-long project in which they create an evidence-based conservation plan for a chosen species. Participants will build a deep understanding of ecosystems, human-caused threats to key organisms, and how wildlife biologists address mounting concerns around biodiversity loss. Special emphasis will be placed on how climate change may exacerbate conservation challenges across the globe. Throughout the course, teachers will also experience new pedagogy, assessment, and literacy strategies that they can apply to a wide variety of classroom settings. Please note: While this course is designated with ASPDP for a specific grade band, educators of all grade levels are welcome to participate. For further questions, feel free to contact teacherinfo@wcs.org.
Location: Bronx Zoo
Dates: Monday, July 14 - Saturday, July 19
Times: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm per session
Price: $250
Course is eligible for: 45 CTLE Hours & 3 P-Credits or A+ Credits
Please note that this course includes 1-2 miles of walking outside. All paths are wheelchair accessible, see our webpage for Bronx Zoo Accessibility. If you have any concerns, please contact your instructor. For more information see the Bronx Zoo's Know Before You Go page.
For more information about Professional Development courses, please contact: teacherinfo@wcs.org or (718) 220-5136.
Meet Your Instructor
Becky Higgins (she/her)
Becky is the Manager of Professional Development (Teacher Education) at WCS. She is passionate about working with educators and creating equitable access to conservation and climate education for all. As a former science educator, curriculum specialist, and professional learning manager, Becky has remained fully committed sharing climate change education, conservation, and environmental advocacy and leadership opportunities for teachers, particularly urban science educators. Becky is especially passionate about ocean conservation and has conducted research on white shark migration and on pilot whale communication. Becky received her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University where she studied biology, marine science, and education and holds a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Becky continues to center her work on expanding conservation and advocacy work to amplifying opportunities for educators and their students!