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		A partnership between:
	A learning community based in the natural world.

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Wildlands WeatherHawk | Augusta School District | Beaver Creek Reserve

What is it that makes Wildlands School different?

Wildlands School is a learning community of scientists, young and old -- students, teachers, and community experts designing and completing a wide range of projects focused on an even wider range of topics. The school is a partnership between the School District of Augusta and Beaver Creek Reserve

WHAT DO WILDLANDS STUDENTS DO THAT IS UNIQUE?

Wildlands School uses scientific research and project-based learning as the focus of the school’s innovative curriculum. Project learning is based on a constructivist model of learning that engages students in real-world scholarly activity. Students create meaning by designing and completing a project that ultimately benefits the community.

Students participate in a wide range of possible projects as demonstrated by the following past and present projects:

Bathymetric Mapping of Fall Creek Pond. This project integrated geography skills, GPS technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) computer technology, geometry, math and statistical skills to develop a new depth map of a local pond to replace the 1960 DNR map.
Mark and Recapture Population Studies. Various species, raccoon, squirrel, fish species, and others have been live trapped, tagged and population models applied to collected data.
Radio Telemetry Range and Habitat Studies. Species including Bears, Raccoons, Coyotes, Deer, Roughed Grouse, and Northern Pike have been radio tagged. Students work in the areas of live trapping, safe handling of animals, radio collaring, signal location and processing, and GIS computer models to plot range and habitat use.
Lake Eau Claire Bathymetric Mapping Project. A comprehensive bathymetric map developed with GPS, GIS, and handheld computer technology. This project was funded by the Wisconsin DNR, and conducted in cooperation with the Lake Eau Claire Association and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The results of this study are being used to help guide the management of water quality issues facing the lake.
Small Mammal Inventory Project. In cooperation with the Aquatic and Terrestrial Resources Inventory section the Wisconsin DNR, students are developing small mammal hair traps, taxonomic keys to mammal hair at the microscopic level, and a DNA analysis library of small mammal species differences for identification purposes.
Inventory and identification of algae species in Lake Eau Claire. Student work centered around sampling the lake for as many algae species as could be found. Both identification and calculation of the relative amounts of algae were done.
Construction Projects. Students have designed and build facilities for the charter school and Beaver Creek Reserve as part of construction technology and service learning.
Stream Habitat and Water Quality Studies. Students work with ongoing studies of local creeks and streams and perform habitat analysis, water chemistry, fish population, and invertebrate studies.
Forestry and Vegetative Analysis Studies. Students conduct studies of tree species diversity on a local county park for the Eau Claire County planning office.
Digital Video Production Projects. Students script, film, and produce videos for a variety of purposes including tutorials, informational short films, school publicity, and school video archives. One such project will be featured on the Wisconsin NatureMapping website to teach users how to use the NatureMapping website.

Bathymetric Mapping of Fall Creek Pond. This project integrated geography skills, GPS technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) computer technology, geometry, math and statistical skills to develop a new depth map of a local pond to replace the 1960 DNR map.

Mark and Recapture Population Studies. Various species, raccoon, squirrel, fish species, and others have been live trapped, tagged and population models applied to collected data.

Inventory and identification of algae species in Lake Eau Claire. Student work centered around sampling the lake for as many algae species as could be found. Both identification and calculation of the relative amounts of algae were done.

Construction Projects. Students have designed and build facilities for the charter school and Beaver Creek Reserve as part of construction technology and service learning.

Stream Habitat and Water Quality Studies. Students work with ongoing studies of local creeks and streams and perform habitat analysis, water chemistry, fish population, and invertebrate studies.

Forestry and Vegetative Analysis Studies. Students conduct studies of tree species diversity on a local county park for the Eau Claire County planning office.