2008 Natural Hazards Field Workshop for Idaho Educators

Ponderosa State Park, McCall, Idaho, July 13-18, 2008

Workshop Registration

Registration is now open for the 2008 workshop. Please register using the form given below. The registration deadline is July 1, 2008. Early registration is advised as the workshop size is limited.

last updated February 27, 2008

REGISTRATION FORM(pdf  file)

Daniel  W. Weisz Memorial Scholarship
Partial financial support for first-time attendees of  the field workshop is available through the Idaho Geological Survey and the Wiesz Scholarship. See the Registration Form for more details.

Questions? Contact Bill Phillips (208)885-8928 or phillips@uidaho.edu

What and where is the field workshop?

Each summer in July, the Idaho Geological Survey (IGS) offers a week-long field experience to Idaho teachers. The workshop focus is always on some aspect of natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions. We do this to spread the important message of natural hazard mitigation and risk reduction. The workshop also supports excellence in earth science education by offering  mini-courses on key aspects of earth science like mineralogy or plate tectonics. 

The workshop is held in a different place each year  in order to serve different communities around the state. This year, it will be on the shores of beautiful Payette Lake  near McCall. To keep costs low, the workshop will be held outdoors in a campground at Ponderosa State Park. Campsites are provided at no charge for participants wanting to camp. It is possible to stay in area motels or cabins but all costs are the responsibility of particants so electing.

The workshop receives major funding from the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security.

photo of Payette Lake, Idaho

(photo from Digital Atlas of Idaho, http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas)

Who can attend the workshop?

The workshop is designed primarily for in-service Idaho educators. Non-teachers, teachers between jobs, or teachers from out-of-state are also welcome provided that space is available.

What will I learn at this year's workshop?

Each year, the workshop focuses on a different aspect of natural hazards. This year, our theme is wildfire. We'll look at how wildfires start and spread, how they are fought, how often they occur, and how some fires can increase the risk of landslides and flooding. Risk assessment and hazard mitigation will be examined in detail with activities suitable for use in classrooms. There will also be sessions on Idaho earthquake swarms, glaciers and glaciation, the geology of west-central Idaho, and activities focused around teaching earth science. The workshop will conclude with individual teacher projects. The projects are designed to transform workshop material into activities suitable for use in real classrooms.

Debris flow S Fork Payette River
Post-fire debris flows, S Fork Payette River, Idaho (photo G. Meyer)


How much does the workshop cost?

The workshop has a registration fee of $50 per participant. Camping is provided at no charge. All participants pay for their transporation to/from the workshop and for all their food. Transportation on field trips is provided for registered partipants.

Is academic credit available?

Two units of optional academic credit are available for the workshop at in-service teacher rates from the University of Idaho. Academic credit fees are the responsibility of the workshop participants. For 2008, academic credit fees are:  $69/credit hour undergraduate; $82/credit hour graduate. Both undergraduate and graduate credit are offered for the workshop. Enrollment for academic credit is conducted on the first day of the workshop. Participants should plan on paying for academic credit with personal checks or cash as credit cards will not be accepted.

Satellite iamge wildfires from near Payette Lake

Dense smoke from Idaho wildfires near Payette Lake is visible stretching all the way
to North and South Dakota in this image from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view
Sensor (SeaWiFS). The image was taken on  August 7, 2000. (photo www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov)

WORKSHOP FAQ's

1. Can my family or friends join me at the workshop? Family members and friends are welcome to camp with participants at the workshop. However, because of insurance restrictions, only registered workshop participants are permitted in University of Idaho vehicles. Also, be aware that participants taking the workshop for academic credit are required to attend all activities,
including some in the evening. Participants will be very busy during the workshop and should not expect much free time.

2. Are dogs permitted at the campground or in University vehicles? Pets are OK in campgrounds. Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas. Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas or sanitary facilities. For the comfort and safety of other participants, pets are not allowed in University field vehicles.

3. Can I use my private vehicle on workshop field trips? We encourage participants to ride in a University vehicle on workshop field trips for safety reasons. Parking is limited at some field stops and long convoys of vehicles are dangerous. Also, it is difficult for instructors to communicate with participants riding in private vehicles. If necessary, participants may use their own vehicles but are responsible for all costs.

4. What kind of vehicles are used for transporation to/from field sites? University of Idaho 15-passenger vans driven by University employees.

5. I don't have formal training in geology. Should I take the workshop? Absolutely!. No formal training in the geological sciences is required.

6. I teach elementary school. Should I take the workshop? Yes. We strive to make the workshop helpful and fun for all K-12 teachers.

7. I am an out-of-state teacher. Can I take the workshop? We must give in-service Idaho teachers enrollment preference. If space is available, out-of-state teachers are welcome to attend. Contact Bill Phillips for more informatioin.

Workshop Sponsors:

Idaho Geological Survey
Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security
Idaho Earth Science Teachers Association
FEMA
National Energy Foundation
The Idaho Mining Association

Debris flow filling burnt forest
Debris flow in recently burned forest, Whiteclouds, Idaho (photo J. Pierce)

For more information contact:

Bill Phillips
Idaho Geological Survey
PO Box 443014
Moscow, ID 83844-3014
email: phillips@uidaho.edu
telephone: 208-885-8928