Throughout the school year, we would like to help support your teaching efforts in soil, water and related natural resources. Our educational programs highlighted below are designed to help address the important Show-Me Standards relating to soil and plant science, soil conservation and water quality.
For more details on our programs for teachers and schools, please call our office at (816) - 229 - 5113 Ext 3.
Envirothon
A problem solving, natural resources learning experience for 9th through 12th graders. Students are trained in real-life, hands-on environmentalism and then use what they have learned to solve environmental problems in a competitive framework. Subject areas include soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and a current environmental issue (protection of groundwater for 2010). Envirothon teams can compete on the state and national levels for substantial scholarships and prizes. KC Regional Envriothon takes place in March each year. If you are interested in learning more information about this event, please give us a call at (816) - 229 - 5113 ext 3 and speak with Ashley King. Ashley is the Outreach Coordinator for this event.
Conservation Education Resource Library
A collection of electronic and physical resources for grades K through 12 and beyond. Click here to access numerous soil and water resource links on the Internet. Also, nearly 60 VHS videotapes, reference books, interactive software titles, demonstration kits and teaching aids are available for loan free of charge. Check out our Lending Library Catalog of physical resources that can be borrowed.
Class Presentations
Presentations to students, in an indoor or outdoor classroom setting, designed to stress the importance of soil as a natural resource, explain soil physical properties, highlight soil conservation practices, and suggest soil and water stewardship activities for students. Presentations may be tailored to any grade level, subject matter, and length of class period. If you are interested in having the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District present information to your students, please call (816) - 229 -5113 ext 3.
Conservation Poster Contest
An opportunity for students to artistically express what they have learned about soil, water and related resource conservation by creating a poster. Poster board and a participation ribbon are provided for each student plus three championship ribbons for each classroom. Third and fourth grade students may compete in the county contest for recognition and trophies. E-mail us for more information on this conservation education program.
Conservation Essay Contest
The district's essay contest, Writing for Nature, is designed to inspire research, creative expression, and advocacy for natural resource stewardship. Open to grades 7 through 12, the contest offers students the opportunity to compete for recognition and cash awards on the county level. For more information and details If you are interested in this program please call (816) - 229 -5113 ext 3.
Conservation Photo Contest
Picture your students or yourself as a winner in the district's conservation photo contest! This event adds a special dimension to environmental studies within and outside the classroom. Winning students and teachers can receive recognition, gifts, and/or cash prizes on the county and national levels. Entries can be in any of the five categories: conservation, education, trees and plants, wildlife and landscapes. Youth and adult entries will be judged separately. If you are interested in this program please call (816) - 229 -5113 ext 3.
Fire Prairie Wetland
An outdoor classroom that offers students and teachers a unique opportunity to experience wetland ecology in action. The site, located near Buckner, provides a home for hundreds of wildlife flora and fauna species that thrive in a fresh water marsh environment. Many enhancements like an amphitheater, an Eagle Scout project built by Justin Reynolds (photo at left) of Independence, make it an ideal site for outdoor classes. For more information please call our office at (816) - 229 - 5113 Ext 3.
Conservation Education Training for Teachers
Our staff conducts teacher training in the areas of soil, water and environmental resource conservation in cooperation with other organizations and agencies. Examples include Envirothon training in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Ag and the Environment course offered in Missouri Farm Bureau and the American Royal. Some training courses offer graduate credit for participants. For more information please call our office at (816) - 229 - 5113 Ext 3.