Beavers: Nature’s Engineers - A STEM Exploration for K-6 Educators

Join us for a field-based and hands-on workshop that brings the fascinating world of beavers into the classroom! Designed for K-6 teachers, this workshop will explore the vital role beavers play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating climate change.

Through a hike to explore an active beaver meadow, interactive STEM activities, learning games, and a creative costume activity, educators will build their own understanding and leave with fun, practical tools to help students understand the importance of these remarkable animals.

Objectives:

• Understand the ecological role of beavers and their contributions to biodiversity, water management, and climate resilience.

• Integrate STEM concepts into classroom activities with a focus on engineering, biology, and environmental science.

• Encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity through an interactive design challenge and active learning games.

• Utilize a “Structure and Function” dress-up costume activity to make science concepts come alive in a kinesthetic way.

• Acquire ready-to-use lesson plans that incorporate STEM concepts and active learning strategies and book and resource suggestions to fit the needs of your classroom.

Whether you’re teaching science, environmental studies, or simply want to inspire curiosity in your students, this workshop will provide exciting tools and activities that bring the incredible world of beavers to life!

Registration fee for overnighters includes breakfast and lunch, overnight accommodations in cabin-style housing and all workshop materials. The fee for a single day includes lunch and all workshop materials.

Participating educators will receive a $150 stipend, made possible through grant funding, upon completion of the workshop.

Please contact Tanya Sulikowski, NJSOC Director of Education, with any questions. tsulikowski@njsoc.org