Teachers participate in a workshop, to learn how to engage their students in national citizen science projects.
While visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, Dr. Janez Mulec, a researcher with the Karst Research Institute of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, joined a local high school class on a tour in Mammoth Cave. They discussed current research focused on reducing the growth of lamp flora around electrical lights in tour caves worldwide.
Participants to the weekend workshop, Mammoth Cave: A Slavery Perspective, visit William Bransford's grave.
A Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park collects data on cave cricket populations.
Northern Kentucky University students learn first-hand about Mammoth Cave National Park and its resources.
A 2010 Geoscience Teacher in the Park changes out a dye receptor. The dye receptors are part of a dye trace study that was conducted in the park. The dye receptor that was removed will be taken back to the lab for analysis.
A local high school class learns how to survey a cave. Cave surveying and mapping are important scientific techniques for studying a cave. Not only do these techniques help us understand where the cave goes, but they also help resource managers identify important resources.
An OSU geology class measures scallops on the cave walls to determine how fast and in which direction the water was flowing when the cave passage was forming.
MCICSL and Mammoth Cave staff participated in a concurrent session at the George Wright Society 2009. The session focused on the Sea to Shining Sea program and included a live, interactive video conference from within Mammoth Cave.
MCICSL offered a service project as part of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education's 2010 conference. Participants helped Mammoth Cave National Park control invasive foxtail grass species in the new barrens area next to the Hike and Bike Trail.
Upcoming Events
Many of our upcoming events revolve around customized field experiences for specific classes. Public events will be listed as they become available.
Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park 2011 summer internship
It’s that time again! MCICSL is working with Mammoth Cave’s Environmental Education program to provide two local teachers with summer internship opportunities at Mammoth Cave National Park. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work and study with both park and visiting scientists, learn techniques of field work, and contribute to the scientific knowledge of our unique karst area. Each teacher intern will be given the opportunity to work on a variety of research projects which relate to our local karst topography. The official announcement and program description can be downloaded here. Classroom teachers in grades K-12 are eligible to apply. Pre-Service teachers may be considered for one of the internship positions. Applications are due by 14 March 2011. Funding for the 2011 internship is provided by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Past Events
2010
Kentucky Association for Environmental Education 34th Annual Conference: Telling Our Story, September 17-18, 2010
MCICSL staff was involved with 3 concurrent sessions at the 2010 KAEE conference which was held in Cave City, KY. The conference brochure can be downloaded from the KAEE conference webpage. Links to the abstracts for the concurrent sessions in which MCICSL staff were involved can be found on the Publications page.
Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park 2010 summer internship
MCICSL worked with Mammoth Cave’s Environmental Education program to provide two local teachers with summer internship opportunities. The GTIP interns gained hands-on experience working with Park Service personnel on research and education projects within the park. Funding for this program is provided by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Karst Field Studies Program: June 2010
Western Kentucky University’s Hoffman Institute and the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning offered a series of week-long workshops during the month of June. Each workshop was taught by a recognized expert in the field. Topics offered included Exploration of Mammoth Cave, Karst Geology, Speleology, Cave Archeology, and Karst Hydrology.
2009
National Association of Interpretation National Workshop: November 17-21, 2009
MCICSL co-presented a concurrent session entitled "Real Underwater wonders, mysteries below the Earth’s surface, and Sea to Shining Sea LIVE " on Thursday, November 13. The session was presented in conjunction with the California Mediterranean Research Learning Center, Trillium Resources Group, San Diego Supercomputer Center, and Biscayne National Park. A paper based on this presentation was published in the conference proceedings. A link to this paper can be found on the Publications page.
Major Environmental Geological Problems and Countermeasures of Karst Mountain Areas in Southwest China, August 2009
The MCICSL Research Director and MACA superintendent spoke at a workshop in China that was hosted by Western Kentucky University’s Hoffman Institute. The workshop was a professional development opportunity for Chinese geologists and hydrologists. MCICSL staff also helped facilitate the development of a sister park arrangement between MACA and the South China Karst World Heritage Site.
15th International Congress of Speleology: July 19-26, 2009
MCICSL staff presented at the International Congress held in Kerrville, TX. Papers based on those presentations will be published in conference proceedings. MCICSL also coordinated and lead several trips to Mammoth Cave National Park and the surrounding area. A field trip guide was also published in conjunction with the conference. More information on this scientific meeting can be found on their website, www.ics2009.us/welcome.html.
Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park 2009 summer internship
Once again, MCICSL worked with Mammoth Cave’s Environmental Education program to provide four local teachers with summer internship opportunities. The GTIP interns gained hands-on experience working with Park Service personnel on research and education projects within the park. Funding for this program is provided by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Karst Field Studies Program: June and July 2009
Western Kentucky University’s Hoffman Institute and the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning offered a series of week-long workshops during the months of June and July. Each workshop was taught by a recognized expert in the field. Topics included Exploration of Mammoth Cave, Karst Geology, Speleology, Cave Archeology, and Karst Hydrology. Workshop descriptions and registration information can be found at the Karst Field Studies website.
The George Wright Society Biennial Conference on Parks, Protected Areas and Cultural Sites: March 2 - 6, 2009
MCICSL co-presented a concurrent session entitled "Real Science: Real Connection in the Parks" on Tuesday, March 3. The session was presented in conjunction with the Acadia Partners for Science and Learning and the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. A paper based on this presentation will be published in the conference proceedings.
2008
Mammoth Cave National Park's Max Kaemper Centennial Symposium & 9th Science Symposium: Cultural History and Research: October 9-10, 2008
MCICSL staff co-hosted a symposium celebrating the life of Max Kaemper, a German engineer who in 1908 mapped over 30 miles of Mammoth Cave. The symposium also highlighted other cultural resources and related research activities at the park. The full proceedings of the symposium can be downloaded here. Links to individual articles published within the proceedings can be found on the Publications page.
Kentucky Association for Environmental Education 2008 conference: September 12-13, 2008
Shannon Trimboli, Education Program Specialist, conducted a three hour session on Saturday entitled "Turning Students into Citizen Scientists." A link to the published abstract can be found on the Publications page.
Ecological Society of America 2008 conference: August 4 - 8, 2008
MCICSL presented a poster at the Ecological Society of America's 2008 conference. The poster was entitled "Bridging the gap between research and education at Mammoth Cave National Park: The Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning." A link to the published abstract can be found on the Publications page.
Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park 2008 summer internship
In cooperation with Mammoth Cave’s Environmental Education program, two local teachers were provided with internship opportunities at the park. Funding for this project was provided by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Birds, Students, and Research in the Outdoor Classroom: Training Teachers to Use Their Schoolyards for Scientific Research: June 25, 2008
MCICSL offered a teacher training workshop this summer focusing on citizen science projects teachers can participate in with their students. Funding for this workshop was provided by a grant from Central Kentucky PRIDE. For more information about the workshop, see the press release below.
Karst Field Studies Program: June 2008
During the month of June, Western Kentucky University’s Hoffman Institute and the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning offered a series of week-long field programs. These courses were open to the public and could be taken as a workshop or for college credit.
USGS Karst Interest Group Workshop: May 27 to May 29, 2008
MCICSL had two poster presentations at the 2008 USGS Karst Interest Group Workshop. MCICSL staff also co-lead two field trips for the workshop. A link to the published abstracts and field guides can be found on the Publications page.
GSA North-Central Section, 42nd Annual Meeting: April 24 and 25, 2008
Dr. Rick Toomey gave two presentations at the Geological Society of America’s North-Central Section’s Annual meeting. A link to the published abstracts can be found on the Publications page.
Kentucky Science Teachers’ Association Mid-Winter Break Conference
MCICSL offered an all day session entitled Integrating Science and Math through Cave Mapping.
Karst Field Studies weekend workshop
Western Kentucky University’s Hoffman Institute and the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning offered an intensive weekend workshop entitled Mammoth Cave: A Slavery Perspective. This workshop celebrated the rich cultural history and contributions of slaves and African Americans to this region. The announcement for the workshop can be viewed here.
2007
International Conference on Karst Hydrogeology and Ecosystems
MCICSL coordinated trips to Mammoth Cave National Park for this scientific conference. More information on the conference can be found at http://hoffman.wku.edu/karst2007/k2007.html.
Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park 2007 summer internship
In cooperation with Mammoth Cave’s Environmental Education program, three local teachers were provided with internship opportunities at the park. Funding for this project was provided by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
Kentucky Association for Environmental Education 2007 Conference
In cooperation with Art Palmer, MCICSL offered an all day field experience, Tying the -ologies Together: A Hands-on Adventure at Mammoth Cave. The session focused on the hydrology, ecology, and geology of the area. MCICSl also offered a concurrent session about the resources it has to offer educators. The conference brochure can be downloaded from the KAEE conference webpage. Links to the abstracts for the concurrent sessions in which MCICSL staff were involved can be found on the Publications page.
2006
Mammoth Cave: People, Place and History
MCICSL and WKU partnered to offer week-long seminars for college teachers. The seminars were funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and focused on Mammoth Cave’s social history. More information about this past event can be found at http://www.wku.edu/neh_landmark/letter.html .
Geoscience-Teacher-in-the-Park 2006 summer internship
In cooperation with Mammoth Cave’s Environmental Education program, two local teachers were provided with internship opportunities at the park. Funding for this project was provided by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers.
In the Press
2010
Mammoth Cave National Park, WKU Establish Agreement with Slovenia.
Experts Piece Together A Jigsaw Puzzle of Broken Gypsum at Mammoth Cave National Park.
Mammoth Undertaking: Students Take Part in Underground Research Project.
2009
Caves, trails mix up summer learning.
WKU Group Organizes Water Resource Conference for Scientists in China.
Mammoth Cave National Park Finds "Sister Parks" In China.
Mammoth Cave National Park Signs Sister Park Agreement with Chinese Site.
Mammoth Cave Finds Chinese Sisters.
WKU Students, Faculty, Staff attend International Congress of Speleology.
2008
Chinese Diplomats Visit WKU To Discuss Collaborative Environmental Health Efforts.
Teachers Participate In Outdoor Classroom Workshop At WKU.
3 WKU Graduate Students Present Research In Slovenia.
2007
Mammoth Cave National Park and Caverna High School, partner in education.
2006
Culture, History of Mammoth Cave Focus of Workshops.
Karst Field Studies Program Begins in June at Mammoth Cave.
2005
Rickard Toomey Arrives as First Director of Mammoth Cave Center for Science and Learning.
WKU Geoscientists in Greece for International Meeting.
2004
WKU, Mammoth Cave Dedicate Science and Learning Center.
Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning to be Dedicated Wednesday.
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