The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sponsored an exhibit booth at the 2013 National
Science Teachers’ Association Portland Area Conference on October 24, 25, and
26. Over 2,300 educators attended the conference, which offered a variety of
professional development opportunities including workshops and an exhibit hall.
The conference encouraged teachers to explore new and innovative approaches to
teaching science, offering insight into the 45-state Common Core standards and
the “Next Generation Science Standards”.
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exhibit booth was a truly collaborate effort centered
on invasive species education and the ‘Don’t Let it Loose’ campaign. Educators
engaged in conversation about the role of introduced species in native ecosystems,
along with the responsibilities of lab teachers and pet owners. The U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service booth was incredibly popular among teachers, and offerings
included interactive displays, live support, and educational giveaways. Teachers
could choose from a variety of giveaways, including three posters with
information on local invaders, Refuge and Service brochures, invasive species
stickers, and informational packets on introduced species. This was also the perfect venue to introduce the Aquatic Nuisance Species Education Trunk recently developed by the Columbia River Fisheries Program Office. The exhibitors estimate that more than 700
educators visited the booth over the course of three days. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service booth invited educators to provide feedback through a simple
survey. Results indicate that all of the participants learned some interesting
facts as a result of the exhibit, and over 50% of them ‘significantly increased
their knowledge of natural resources’.
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| Trevor Sheffels, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Biotech, put the final touches on the exhibit booth as educators wait to enter the exhibit hall on Thursday morning. |
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exhibit booth was supported by the Tualatin
River National Wildlife Refuge, the Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife
Refuge, Pacific Region Visitors Services, the Pacific Region Aquatic Invasive
Species Program, the Columbia River Fisheries Program Office, and made possible with a
grant through the Regional Invasives with Volunteers program. All of the planners, coordinators, and
exhibitors were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and engaging. Trevor Sheffels,
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Biotech, was a vital exhibitor since he
recently completed his PhD on invasive species. Sheffels helped teachers
brainstorm about ways to incorporate invasive species into ecology teaching
units, and he offered expertise on local issues, including Nutria. Glenda
Franich, Pacific Region Visual Information Specialist, participated
in powerful conversations sparked by the exhibit. Franich shared “many teachers didn't realize that
Hydrilla is an invasive species and so threatening to native plants and aquatic
ecosystems. This was all very interesting to me and I thank you for bringing
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to the conference and letting teachers
know we are working to make the nation/world a better place for people and
wildlife.”
