Professional Development

The Falls of the Ohio State Park continues to be a leader in educator workshops. We focus on geology and paleontology and multi-disciplinary lessons. Continuing education credit is available for Indiana teachers through the Wilson Education Center. In-service credit is available with most programs for Jefferson County Public School and Archdiocese of Louisville participants.

Pre-registration is required and most have a nominal fee.

Geology & Paleontology

Field Paleontology Institute 
2011 dates to be determined, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (limit 20) (Cost $15)
How do I get fossils for the classroom? Are there other ways to use fossils in activities for students? What are the best resources available? This three-day workshop combines collecting fossils in the field with activities using those fossils in the classroom. Participants take two excursions to collect Ordovician and Silurian / Devonian fossils (which you can keep) as well as explore the park’s fossil bed (where you can observe, but not collect). Graduate credit (1.0 hour) may be available from IUS. Contact us for details by early April for arrangements.
            

Examining fossils on the upper beds    Collecting Middle Mississippian fossils        Finding Ordovician Fossils

Discovery Day - Field Paleontology Institute
2011 dates to be determined, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  (limit 20) (Cost $5)
Participants will collect a variety of different types of Mississippian-age fossils in the morning. Afternoon time is used for identification. Shale can be used for in-class collecting activities. It is recommended (but not required) that participants take the three-day Field Paleontology Institute. If you want to have in-class fossil digs, bring a five-gallon bucket and a small shovel.

Examining fossils collected during excursions away from the Falls of the Ohio State Park.

Geology of Parks Institute  (3 days)
June 2011 (exact dates TBA), 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (limit 20) (Cost $15)
This workshop invites teachers to use three different Indiana State Parks: Falls of the Ohio, Clifty Falls and Spring Mill to learn how the outdoors can be easily adapted as an real-world classroom. Each day will be spent at each park, lead by the respective park's Interpretive Naturalist. Details will be forthcoming. Content appropriate for a range of grade levels.

Investigating geology at Clifty Falls and Spring Mill State Parks

Evolution and Adaptation
To be offered in 2012, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (limit 20) (Cost $40)

In partnership with the Louisville Zoo, this workshop is designed to help teachers and other interested educators better understand the unifying scientific concept of evolution. It will explore such questions as:  What is science?  What is the difference between a scientific theory and a belief? How do we tell geologic time?  What is Natural Selection?  Participants will learn a number of  creative activities that can be put to use in the classroom. Content appropriate for grades 6 – 12.

 Understand what a hypothesis is - one of

       many lessons during is workshop.

Multi-disciplinary Studies

Probing the Wonders of the Falls
2011 dates to be determined, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (limit 20)
No charge, sponsored by The Falls of the Ohio Foundation.
Discover the Falls of the Ohio with author and educator Kenny Karem. He will guide you through a number of activities in his book.  Participate in a variety of interactive activities for all ages. A free copy of the book is provided. Additional copies of the resource book are available through our park gift shop for $7.95 each.

    Educators involved with an activity, part of the

     Probing the Wonders of the Falls workshop.

Program information is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Call (812) 280-9970 or e-mail us (park@fallsoftheohio.org) about programs in which you want to participate.

Updated August 30, 2010