Empower John Hochstetler's Outdoor Learning Program

Hi, my name is John Hochstetler, and I am an educator with Hamilton Southeastern Schools. I work at Riverside Intermediate, which is located along the White River and the Nonie Werbe Kraus Nature Preserve. I am part of a team of educators developing an outdoor program to create meaningful and memorable educational experiences for our students.

Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to offer unique experiences, such as taking 6th-grade students on a White River float to explore life science standards. Through this activity, students learn to observe and connect with the natural world around them using nature journaling.

I’m excited to share that I was selected to participate in the STEAM in the Park program this summer. This incredible opportunity brings educators together for a week in one of our nation’s stunning national parks to connect, collaborate, and create educational content that engages students in solving real-world challenges.

This will be my third time participating in STEAM in the Park, and I’ve found each experience to be invaluable. The activities and lessons I bring back from these programs inspire both teachers and students at my school.

This year, I will spend a week in mid-July at Rocky Mountain National Park, focusing on ecology (alpine and subalpine ecosystems, plant diversity), wildlife (endangered species and elk populations), and cultural history (the Ute and Arapaho peoples).

The funds I raise will help offset the costs of travel, lodging, food, supplies, and programming fees for this 5-day, 4-night experience.

Thank you so much for your support and consideration!