Arizona Game and Fish Department: Wildlife Biology Bootcamp for Educators

Are you an educator looking to increase your knowledge of wildlife and ecology concepts? Do you want to get classroom-ready lessons and resources aligned to Arizona science standards focused on topics like adaptations, habitat fragmentation, migration, invasive species and more? Then the Arizona Game and Fish Department has the perfect professional development opportunity for you.

Join us at the Wildlife Biology Bootcamp, a two-day (June 27 – June 28), hands-on workshop designed to improve participant understanding of key science concepts. Over the course of this workshop, participants will:

– Engage in classroom-friendly educational activities that will model teaching instruction while also increasing science content knowledge.
– Meet biologists currently working with Arizona’s wildlife.
– Reflect on current and new learning and discuss implications for future teaching.
– Receive activities and resources to be used back in the classroom.

Please read all of the information below to have a better understanding of what to expect during this workshop.

EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
Activities have been designed with the new Arizona science standards in mind. In addition to the general science content (DCIs), we will also address relevant Crosscutting Concepts (e.g., patterns, structure and function) and the Science and Engineering Practices (e.g., obtaining, evaluating and communicating information). We will explore the use of phenomena to drive student exploration and engagement. Our focus will primarily be on elementary (K-6th grade) level standards although educators of all grades and types are welcome to attend. Participants will receive numerous resources and a certificate for at least 12 hours of professional development credit.

SCHEDULE AND LOCATION NOTES
This workshop does take place over the course of two days. This includes 12 hours of required “seat time” during those sessions as well as an optional evening field trip. The required workshop sessions will take place at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s main headquarters located in north Phoenix. Most of the time will be spent indoors in a typical classroom/workshop setting. However, it is possible that some time may be spent in the desert-like area located onsite. The optional field trip will take place in the evening (around sunset) and will include an interpretive trip to the Phoenix Bat Tunnel located near Camelback and 24th Street. This portion will be entirely outside and may require a small amount of walking at dusk and early evening. Complete location details will be shared with registered participants prior to the program.

FEE INFORMATION
The fees for this workshop will cover the expenses necessary to run the program as well as all resources that will be provided to the participants. Unfortunately, this does not include food. Participants are responsible for their own lunch and snacks. Adequate time (30-60 minutes) will be provided on both days for participants to get lunch nearby. They can also bring lunch in a cooler or similar carrier if they prefer.

IN-PERSON SAFETY PROTOCOLS
This is an in-person event. Registration in this program has been limited to address physical distancing when possible. Individual participants are welcome to wear masks if they wish. Hand sanitizer will be made available.

REGISTRATION
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reserves the right to cancel this program, change venues or update safety and wellness protocols as necessary. The cancellation policy has been updated to permit participants to cancel up to 18 hours prior to the program with a full refund. Space is extremely limited and registration is required. Spots will be filled on a “first to register” basis. If all spots are filled, additional registrations will be added to a waiting list. The waiting list will be used to fill any spots that result from a cancellation. Please complete the form below to register. Registered participants will receive additional information as we get closer to the event.

LOCATION: Arizona Game and Fish Headquarters