Bringing Parks and Wildlife to the Classroom
Programs for Teachers
Outdoor Understanding for Teachers (OUT) is Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s place-based teacher workshops that bring teachers together with natural resource experts across the state. Our multi-day programs provide teachers with experiences that build background knowledge, and provide curriculum and resources, to feel more confident teaching students about the outdoors. Designed to be standards aligned and hands-on, these programs support teachers in exploring local wildlife, habitats and outdoor skills so that they can bring engaging Colorado specific content to their classroom.
Program Goals
Workshops
Teacher Workshops
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a variety of teacher workshops for formal and informal educators working with early childhood and K-12 students. Workshop options include:
- Project WILD including Aquatic WILD and Growing up WILD
- Outdoor Understanding for Teachers
- Basic Archery Instructor
- Teacher Externships
- Workshop Opportunities for Schools and Districts
Upcoming Teacher Workshops
Pueblo OUT, formerly known as TEN: A Blast from the Past - Exploring Colorado’s Natural History
Join Pueblo O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers), formerly known as T.E.N., June 10th-13th for our summer professional development class, A Blast from the Past. We will be exploring the rich natural history of Colorado. Topics will include geology, wildlife management and conservation, the Ute people, mining and the local steel mill, key historical figures, and mindfulness in nature.
Learn moreDurango OUT ‘WILD About Fish’ Workshop
In this free interactive professional development workshop, K-12 teachers will explore local fish and aquatic ecosystems through practical, engaging strategies to bring back to the classroom.
Upper Arkansas OUT, formerly known as TEN: Watershed Wonders – The Blue Lines that Tie Us Together!
Join Upper Arkansas O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers), formerly known as T.E.N., for 3 ½ days exploring the Upper Arkansas watershed. The class will focus on the importance of watersheds to nature and the people in Colorado. Topics will include water & natural resources management, aquatic wildlife such as beavers and fish, soil connections, and permaculture.
Learn moreDelta OUT ‘Adventure Leadership Camp’
Join us for an immersive two-day Adventure Leadership Camp for Educators at Ridgway State Park’s new group camping facility. You’ll gain field archery instructor and fishing instructor support skills, hone outdoor team-building and leadership activities, and learn to craft hands-on field trips that spark student growth and deepen your ability to teach responsible recreation behaviors.
Learn moreTeacher Resources
Project WILD
Project WILD is a focused conservation and environmental education program designed for students in Pre K-12.
Among the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs for primary and secondary school educators, Project WILD resources are a field tested supplemental curriculum that aligns with the latest academic standards. The 4th edition of this resource was released in 2018 and contains exciting updates including new activities, field investigations, and connections to STEM. To learn more about the curriculum, available guides, and other resources, visit the National Project WILD website.
Project WILD
An interdisciplinary program that focuses on wildlife and habitat for grades K-12.
Aquatic WILD
A program with an emphasis on aquatic wildlife and ecology for grades K-12.
Flying WILD
A whole-school approach to environmental education using birds as the focus for grades K-12.
Growing Up WILD
An early childhood education curriculum for ages 3 to 7 that provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills.