Teton Science Schools Training—Investing in Teachers and Students
For more than three decades, groups of Upper School students have been privileged to immerse themselves in a week of experience-rich learning with the Teton Science Schools (TSS) in Jackson, Wyoming, every winter.
This fall, a group of Principia educators had the opportunity to experience TSS’s unique approach to engaging, innovative, place-based education—right here on campus!
In September, a group of approximately 15 enthusiastic faculty from across grade levels, along with a few administrators, participated in a two-day workshop led by TSS instructors. The on-campus activity kicked off a yearlong professional development partnership that will equip participating teachers across disciplines to intentionally and effectively integrate place-based education into the curriculum. Literature and experience show that such connections not only increase student (and teacher) engagement and academic outcomes but also positively impact the local community. And ultimately, according to TSS, the incorporation of such hands-on learning experiences can help develop global citizens who understand how natural and human communities function and how they can be changed for the better.
Exploring the Place of “Place” in Education
The Principia-TSS training collaboration grew out of a recommendation from faculty members Lynne Scott (C’01) and Brad Warrick (US’90, C’94). In leading and chaperoning recent Principia Teton Trips, Scott and Warrick observed firsthand how rapidly and effectively students not only deepened their understanding of place, community, and human interactions but also expanded their abilities to communicate their insights. Head of School Travis Brantingham (US’94, C’98) agrees that TSS’s approach to what it calls “connecting people, nature, and place” will position the School to better embed both place- and project-based learning into the curriculum. “Learning how to make optimal educational use of our own campus as well as our location as part of the greater St. Louis community will infuse Principia academics with relevance, immediacy, and multiple opportunities for hands-on, integrated learning,” he notes.
The faculty participating in this exceptional professional development opportunity will share their learning more broadly with other teachers during in-house sessions. They are also expected to transform activities and competencies identified during this workshop into actionable learning units and activities with their students.
“Teachers are fired up,” remarks Dean of Innovation and Academics Peter Dry, who participated in the workshop sessions. “For some, it was a re-affirming few days as they are already incorporating place into their classes. For others, it was great to get more theory and some practical ideas. For all of us, we loved working for two full days with like-minded, eager, and energetic peers focused on creating a more engaging and relevant curriculum.”
A follow-up workshop will be held in February, in addition to mid-semester video sessions with the TSS instructors. Data from implementation of the units and student engagement surveys will be collated and shared in order to inform ongoing teaching innovation and optimal use of our own campus resources as well as Principia’s location in the greater St. Louis area.