ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AT PARADISE PARK

WEIGHTED: 0.666
Grade: 11-12

Credit: 1 unit
PREREQUISITE: N/A

Fall Semester - Missouri Wildlife Studies - this Capstone Course, housed at the Paradise Park Wildlife Center, guides students to study Missouri Fauna, gain experience working with wild species including snakes, birds, fish and may other animals native to the region.  Learn how to improve the lives of those animals through habitat development by applying skills in chemistry, biology and statistical analysis.  Topics include field testing, understanding populations, environmental testing, taxonomy, pond diversity and human impacts on ecosystems.  Environmental problem solving including design and implementation are embedded in the curriculum and will require students is use their previously learned scientific skills to think critically to find solutions to make a difference in the world. Skills learned in this course can be applied to wildlife across the globe.

Spring Semester - Missouri Natural Resources - At the 17 acre Paradise Park Wildlife Center, students will investigate nature through a ecological, cultural and economic lens with a hands-on approach in natural Missouri habitats. Students will use critical thinking skills to learn about, experience, question and collaborate about Missouri Wildlife phenomenon.  Students will use skills learned in the fall semester to study environmental topics such as population studies, water and soil testing and food production (including pest management and organic and genetic engineering).  This scientific inquiry course emphasizes participation in community conservation leadership and prepares students for and guides them through a Missouri resource conservation capstone project.