A Unique Role-playing Science Curriculum
The High Trails curriculum offers unique and engaging Earth Science and History programs, called Discovery Groups. Discovery Groups are 2.5 hour classes taught out on the trail using place-based, experiential, and role playing instructional methodologies. Each thematic discovery group hikes approximately one-half to two miles, with stops for exploration, investigation, discussion, instruction and games along the way. Our educational goals revolve around developing students' sense of Earth, Self, Community and Wonder. The curriculum brings to the surface for every student the idea that all things on Earth are interconnected (including them!).
Place-Based...Located on 6000 private acres in the Montane Life Zone, High Trails is surrounded by learning opportunities, both developed and natural. Students in the Cowboys discovery group learn about the history of the Pikes Peak region by firing iron in the blacksmith shop at the Witcher Ranch, a historic working cattle ranch. Other opportunities include making candles and biscuits over a fire after a tour of the Quick's Homestead, an authentic house, barn and toolshed dated to the 1890's. Woodsmen may get to the historic 1930's sawmill for a math lesson on board feet and a true perspective on how many trees it may take to build a house! Crystal Beds, Copper Mines, and Jasper Pits are short hikes for our Prospectors and a renewable energy trailer creating power with solar panels and a wind turbine is a great teaching resource for students in the Innovators discovery group. We encourage all participants to fully immerse themselves in the historic and natural resources at High Trails!
Experiential...All students at High Trails have a direct experience with the learning environment and content. Seeing stars through a telescope, hiking to a crystal outcropping or following an elk by identifying its tracks on the trail are some of the ways student will be actively learning while at High Trails. Our "experiential-squared" curriculums create learning experiences where students are actually a part of the lesson they learn as they investigate and participate in each Discovery Group.
Role Playing...Staff at High Trails use a living history model to create a truly engaging educational student experience! By becoming part of the history, students are intrinsically motivated to ask questions and take part in the inquiry process. In the Homesteader discovery group, for example, students become part of a family travelling across the great plains in a Mormon handcart. Why did they leave home to begin with? What hazards will they face on their journey? The academic curriculum at High Trails is solidified by authentic personal experience.
How do schools choose curriculum?
The directors at High Trails will make a school visit to meet with teachers and administrators to plan a balanced academic curriculum and other logistics for the trip. Our goal is to create a varied learning track for each student that includes a mix of discovery groups to meet the following: perspectives of time and space, formation and history of the Earth, natural cycles and interrelationships, local history, and creativity and communcation.
We will make curricular recommendations based on a school's goals, such as introducing a Western history unit or reviewing science curriculum through hands-on learning. We enjoy working with school staff to customize programs. Written materials are also available.
High Trails is in the process of revising the curriculum last printed in 1989. New discovery group packets have been updated and field tested and are available below. Discovery group units have been aligned to the 2011 Colorado State Standards.
Please note:
Prospectors, Time Machine, Trappers, Fossils and Naturalists are in the process of final revisions.
Fall 2012 is our deadline for a full curriculum printing of the revised discovery group units.
The HTOEC Curriculum is copyrighted. We love to share and spread educational ideas, but request that you obtain permission for the use of our curriculum.
