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Distance Learning Trunk

Tax deductible
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary works to conserve raptors worldwide. Our mission is built on conservation science and education. We conduct worldwide research programs and lead teams on scientific discoveries, but education is what stems from every initiative. In addition to educating the visitors of all ages who visit our Sanctuary, we work with many underprivileged and underserviced schools to provide a state of the art education program using modern technology.

Schools or classrooms participating in our recently developed Distance Education program receive a raptor trunk, which contains materials to be used during the program conducted via Skype, ensuring an engaging and interactive learning experience. It also contains additional lesson plans and resources that can be used with students prior to or after the program. Trunks are differentiated for elementary, middle level, and high school level students. For example, the elementary trunk offers compare and contrast of adaptations, the middle level trunk houses comparative anatomy materials, and the high school trunk contains a working radio telemetry unit. Taxidermy mounts can also be included based upon availability.  Click on our video below to see a portion of a Skype program in action.

We have conducted many research and educational programs in accordance with ProNatura Veracruz in Veracruz, Mexico, our sister hawk watch site. When their director recently visited the Sanctuary, she saw our raptor trunk and immediately saw the potential. The level of education that could be delivered throughout Mexico is unmatched by any other means. Since Mexico does not have the traditional standards-based education system that we use in the states, distance learning and eLearning can become a staple within their curriculum. With this trunk, they can now educate an unlimited amount of students that would otherwise never have been exposed to this scientific research.  See pictures of the Chichicaxtle Bird Observatory that Hawk Mountain helped to raise funds for below.


The trunk consists of multiple curriculums that detail lessons for the trunk coordinator to use. There are lessons covering raptor adaptations, feather variations, and comparative wing anatomy. In addition, we will include our new broad-winged hawk curriculum, as this is a species that we share between our two countries. These curriculums are developed for multiple age groups ranging from elementary school students through high school students. However, they have not yet been translated into Mexican Spanish, and part of the money we raise will go towards having this translated by ProNatura staff.

Trunk contents could include: a radio telemetry unit, replica skulls, replica eggs, real or replica talons, wing tags, silhouettes of each raptor species, migration learning games, feathers, weight bags, games, and educational books.  See pictures of two of the trunks below.


In addition to curating the items within the trunk, one of our educators needs to travel to Veracruz to help design the curriculum specifically for them, based on the raptors in their area. We want the students to relate to the program, so developing this firsthand, alongside ProNatura Veracruz, is absolutely necessary.

We have set a goal of $5000, which will allow us to translate all material to Spanish, assist ProNatura Veracruz in purchasing the trunk and all its contents, and having the Hawk Mountain Education team personally guide the ProNatura Veracruz team on how to provide a quality eLearning experience.

We want others who believe in supplying education to underprivileged communities to contribute and help make this a reality. In Veracruz, they have the luxury of living in one of the best places in the world for raptor migration, and if we can educate their youth, we can impress upon them the importance of conserving raptors.  We thank you for your support and hope you come visit us on the Mountain in Kempton, Pennsylvania.

Distance Learning Program:

Elementary School Trunk:

High School Trunk:



Chichicaxtle Veracruz Bird Observatory where counts and school programs occur:

Children in Veracruz playing our vulture migration game:

Children in Veracruz creating broad-winged hawk mobiles:

Organizer

Jeff Goldenberg
Organizer
Kempton, PA
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association (Hawk Mountain Sanctuary)
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

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