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School of Education and Human Development University of Colorado Denver

School of Education and Human Development
 

Traveling Through Time: Natural History of the Grand Canyon

Traveling Through Time:  Natural History of the Grand Canyon
SECE 5800 - 3 credits
July 14-23, 2011

The beautiful and challenging Grand Canyon of Arizona will provide the natural classroom for this course taught by Mike Giamellaro.  The Grand Canyon provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore both geology and ecology presented in ways that exist nowhere in the world. The landscape reveals billions of years of earth’s past and an almost complete range of life zones. Traveling by raft through the turbulent waters of the Colorado River offers not only a close-up look but an exciting ride that National Geographic ranks in the top ten trips of the world. Education students and practicing teachers will come away with a deep appreciation of the Canyon and some practical ways to bring the experience back to their classroom.

Among the many prominent geological features and attractions you’ll see and experience are Marble Canyon, Vasey’s Paradise, Redwall Cavern, Royal Arches, Nankoweap Indian ruins and cliff houses, the Little Colorado Elves Chasm, Deer Creek Falls, Havasu Canyon and Granite Gorge.  The two billion years of geological time represented in the rock formations of the canyon will be explored and interpreted.

For further information please review the trip flier or contact: Mike Giamellaro, michael.giamellaro@ucdenver.edu.

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You’ll have a June classroom meeting prior to the excursion, where you will discuss geology and trip preparation information.  The group will meet on the evening of July 14 in Las Vegas to begin the course.  Then, you will be bused to Lee Ferry, where you will board motorized rafts and begin your journey.

There are multiple threads to this course linked together with the concept of story. Our predominant pursuit will be developing content knowledge around geology and ecology. Secondarily, the class will develop a collective set of lessons and/or activities to teach this content at appropriate developmental levels so that you can bring your stories back to your students. Finally, there will be an ongoing discussion of experiential education. Although the course is intended for education students & science teachers (elementary or secondary), teachers in other disciplines have found the course useful and inspirational.

Following the trip a gathering will be arranged to review the trip experiences.

The cost of the program: 

  • Raft trip (Colorado River and Trail Expeditions), all meals,  equipment and river guides/boatmen on the river and taxes.
  • Bus transportation from Las Vegas to Lee Ferry
  • Total without tuition $2337.00
  • Optional Tuition: SECE 5800- 3 credits$300.00

Travel to and from Las Vegas, lodging or camping and meals in route to rafting not included.  Car-pooling will be arranged. The company provides all necessary camping gear- sleeping bag, ground cover, mattress, and tents if needed.  Life vests (provided by company) are worn on the rafts at all times.

Review the trip flier and fill out the registration form (on the last page) to get started.

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Deposit:   $300.00 (made out to Colorado River and Trail Expeditions) per person to secure booking, non-refundable unless replaced. 

Full payment is due to Colorado River and Trail Expeditions on May 15 of the year you plan to go; non-refundable unless replaced. 

PARTICIPATION IS ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVED BASIS!  THERE ARE ONLY 24 AVAILABLE SLOTS.  NO reservation is confirmed without a deposit.

For further information please contact:  Mike Giamellaro, michael.giamellaro@ucdenver.edu.

© 2008 The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.

University of Colorado Denver

© 2012 The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.

All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.