Sombrero Marsh Education Program

Broad-based science education partnerships can create exemplary education programs because each partner brings their particular expertise to the table. The Sombrero Marsh Education Program provides an example of such a program where 4 diverse entities partnered together and developed a field-based watershed curriculum for upper elementary students. The partners’ expertise, ranging from wetland ecology and restoration to pedagogy, yielded a curriculum that includes many of the characteristics that are highlighted in the National Science Education Standards. Once established, these diverse partnerships can attract further funding and expand their programs from the local to the national level, thus providing a successful model with a widespread impact. The Sombrero Marsh Program is currently making this transition with a NSF GK-12 award to the University of Colorado to expand the marsh program to the secondary science level. Several dimensions of the marsh program, such as community-based research and ecological sterwardship, can serve as a national model for similar science education programs that aim to promote Earth System science.

Sombrero Marsh is one of a handful of naturally formed saline wetlands located along the Front Range of Colorado. The wetland, which is fed primarily by groundwater, provides important habitat to migrating waterfowl and is listed as an environmental preservation area by Boulder County. In 2001 the city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) restored the wetland, which had previously been used as a dumpsite, and the Boulder Valley School District built the Environmental Education Center pictured at right.

The components of the Sombrero Marsh Education Program, which began in 2001, are four fold: Teachers must attend a professional development class, located at the Environmental Education Center, on the marsh curriculum before they can bring their students to the marsh. In preparation for the marsh visit, students spend 1 - 4 weeks on the pre-visit activities that include a video about the marsh and observations of native marsh plant seeds and structures (related to The Structures of Life FOSS module). Students spend half a day at the marsh conducting scientific inquiry in the field and in the lab. Students complete post-visit activities that include entering the groundwater temperature and depth on a database to be used by future groups and OSMP scientists; comparing data with previous data and discussing trends; and determining which seeds germinate on the four different soil types they bring back to school.

For more information about this project please contact Lesley Smith (smithlk@cires.colorado.edu).

January 25, 2005
CIRES Science Educator Earns Honor Roll Spot
The Boulder Valley School District recognized Lesley Smith for "outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty" while developing and implementing the 4th and 7th grade Sombrero Marsh Curriculum. CIRES' Education Outreach Program was recognized for supporting Smith's work.

News Feature, 2003
CIRES Scientists Awarded $1.5 Million For Science Education