The Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) is kicking off a Conservation Science course this school year, sharing the science of conservation while fostering appreciation and stewardship of nature.
VLA staff Brant Starkey said VLA conceived the idea after attending a conference in Columbus. Starkey said the course should prove an attractive option for high schoolers looking for a science credit and an elective.
“It’s part of our course list if a school wants to enroll a student,” he said. “They can look that up, and of course we’re here to answer any questions they may have.”
Starkey said the course could have broad applications.
“We felt it would be a nice addition to the course list that we offer. Because of where we live in rural Ohio, we felt like it would be a good course not just for people who are outdoorsy to take, but for other folks to understand there’s a lot that goes on with maintaining biodiversity and the food chain and how all of these different relationships affect us,” he said.
“It gets into water quality and hunting and fishing, boating safety, trapping,” Starkey said. The course goes into the necessity of hunting.
“If some of these populations are allowed to grow too large, it messes up the ecosystem in a number of ways. Farmers suffer with crops.”
Starkey added that hunting is an inexpensive way for the Department of Natural Resources to control animal populations.
“It’s not just about getting a trophy to mount on the wall, it plays a very important part in keeping the ecosystem at manageable levels,” he said.
Students from urban schools or who do not hunt can also benefit from the information the course imparts.
The course is geared toward higher grade levels.
VLA enjoyed help from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources when setting up the conservation course. Starkey said the ODNR was very supportive, providing a textbook and extensive information.
The content goes beyond hunting and dives deeply into options for making the most of resources, with examples such as whether to donate the meat to the less fortunate and properly preparing it.
“It’s not just about going out and being active in the outdoors, it’s talking about the smart use of everything that we have,” he said. “It really does get in-depth, and it might open some eyes to just how smart we need to be in managing the resources that we have around us.”
The course also delves into the rich history of conservation, touching on the earliest days of the conservation movement. Shortly after the United States was founded there was a rapid westward expansion and extensive use of resources. In the 18th Century many saw the need to preserve those resources.
The course touches on figures such as President Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. The Boone and Crockett Club conservation organization Roosevelt started is still active today.
There should be no need of extra training for teachers. The VLA has sought to make the course as extensive as possible so that the instructors have all the tools to teach effectively.
The curriculum is primarily focused on Ohio’s environment, with some content referring to environments in other states as a contrast. The course a has large selection of electronic or virtual activities.
In the finals, the students will work with a virtual lab that simulates controlling different animal populations in a variety of environments. By the end, students will have a better understanding of the conditions a species needs to thrive.
The simulated labs are provided through Discovery Education. One lesson has students controlling a rabbit population by introducing predators and changing weather conditions and other factors. Another lesson is caring for black footed ferrets.
“It’s all simulated, but it gives the student an idea of how to observe and see what a particular species prefers,” Starkey said, adding these variables play out in the real world and humans can easily impinge on an animal’s habitat.
Since VLA first proposed a conservation course, there has been considerable interest among the schools they work with. The course was largely completed this past April and is offered to all the schools that work with VLA. The program administrators look forward hearing feedback.
VLA Assistant Director Martariesa Logue sees great promise in the course.
“As an alumna of a rural high school, I can honestly say this Conservation Science course would have been an amazing science elective to have had during high school. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about what so many of my friends were passionate about – hunting, fishing, trapping, and conservation. With 36 units packed into this one-credit course, available for both standard and credit recovery, it provides a well-rounded understanding of nature’s balance while making conservation accessible to all students, no matter their background or interests.”
The VLA recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Since its inception, VLA has excelled by staying at the forefront of technological development and by tailoring services to their clients’ needs.
The VLA is located in the R. Larry George Training Annex at 1913 Estelle Ave., Steubenville. VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound, or home schooled. JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within a district’s already existing curriculum. To learn more about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx or contact VLA staff at vla@jcesc.org or 740.283.3347 ext. 100.
