Donation Merges STEM Learning with Environmental Education in Waukesha County
The Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use is pleased to announce it has received a donation that will expand its environmental education program to include STEM learning techniques. The Friends of Retzer Nature Center have donated a Digital Observation Technology Skills (DOTS) kit, which contains exciting technological tools to help students learn how to explore the natural world while using innovative and exciting technologies.
“This is an exciting addition to our program. Integration of STEM subject into environmental education will inspire, engage, and prepare students for science and technology driven careers,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “We are very grateful to the Friends of Retzer Nature Center for the generous donation.”
The kits are part of the UW-Extension’s DOTS program, an outdoor Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) lesson that uses modern mobile technology tools to connect today’s students to the outdoors in new and innovative ways. Technology tools found in the DOTS kit includes a portable microscope, thermal imager, GPS unit, infrared thermometer, and mobile weather station. These tools will be used for a wide variety of programs and special events offered at Retzer Nature Center by the Department of Parks and Land Use staff including water resources, recycling, and nature based programs. More information about DOTS is available at https://fyi.uwex.edu/environmentaleducation/programs/technology-programs/dots/.
About Retzer Nature Center
Retzer Nature Center is a part of the Waukesha County Park System, which is a natural resource based park system that demonstrates stewardship while providing recreational and educational opportunities. For more information, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/retzernaturecenter, follow Waukesha County Parks on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.
About the Friends of Retzer Nature Center
The Friends of Retzer Nature Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, perpetuating, and promoting the work of conservation and natural resource education. This team of volunteers seek the involvement of the community in the form of financial and volunteer support to work toward the continued growth and improvement of Retzer Nature Center. For more information visit http://friendsofretzer.org/.
The Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use is pleased to announce it has received a donation that will expand its environmental education program to include STEM learning techniques. The Friends of Retzer Nature Center have donated a Digital Observation Technology Skills (DOTS) kit, which contains exciting technological tools to help students learn how to explore the natural world while using innovative and exciting technologies.
