CACHE, OK — This summer marked a thrilling departure from the norm for Cache Intermediate third-grade teacher Heather Chadwick. Trading the familiar confines of her classroom for the great outdoors, Chadwick embarked on a week-long journey of discovery at the DIG Field School in Montana. It is a unique opportunity, one afforded to just 30 teachers nationwide each year, allowing them to engage firsthand with the realm of paleontology.
A Rare Opportunity
The DIG Field School, organized by The Burke Museum and the University of Washington, offers educators a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work alongside eminent scientists. Chadwick, along with her peers, camped under the expansive Montana sky, navigating challenging terrains and unearthing pieces of the earth’s distant past. With triceratops bones in hand and microfossils documented meticulously, every day was a learning curve.
Breathing New Life into Education
Participants in the DIG Field School are more than passive observers; they actively participate in excavations, sorting and preparing fossils for extraction. Through this immersive experience, Chadwick gained insights that she eagerly aims to bring back to her students. As stated in The Lawton Constitution, her adventures in science have already inspired new, engaging classroom activities, like modeling geological formations with colorful “puff ball” activities to enthrall her students.
Building Bonds Over Bones
Beyond the practical skills acquired, Chadwick’s journey was one of camaraderie. The nights spent under a star-studded sky, surrounded by fellow educators and scientists, fostered strong bonds. “The shared experiences and mutual passion for discovery created friendships that I hope will endure,” Chadwick expressed.
Beyond Fossils: A Lasting Impression
Upon returning, Chadwick reflects on her time in Montana as transformative. Her students now have a teacher who has actively participated in fossil hunts, providing them a virtual passport to times gone by. Through tales of triceratops digs and fossil finds, she brings the distant past alive, igniting a spark of curiosity and wonder in the young minds.
An Inspiration for Future Generations
This venture serves as a testament to the power of practical learning and experiential education. As Heather Chadwick prepares for the new school year, she remains invigorated by her adventures, ready to plant seeds of curiosity and exploration in her classroom. Her story inspires not just her students, but educators everywhere, to seek out and embrace experiences beyond the usual syllabi.
In a world where education often happens between walls, Chadwick’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best teaching occurs beneath the open sky. Her story is not just about finding fossils but uncovering new layers of understanding and connection that only such an experience can provide.