Students will be confident and competent to conduct scientific investigations regardless of environmental conditions. The field practicum should be the culminating activity after extensive classroom and laboratory instruction and preparation. It is the application phase of your learning cycle for this far-reaching topic. The orignal field exercise was designed for an overnight solo experience in the central mountains of Arizona. The student must build a shelter, collect firewood, start a fire from flint, construct a solar still for water collection, keep a journal, and perform observation exercises.
Students directly apply knowledge and skills acquired earlier to a new and challenging experience.
Students are monitored throughout the experience by the instructor and teacher assistants on foot and horseback utilyzing radio communication. This original format may be modified to meet the needs and capabilities of your local conditions. Even a day trip will effectively evaluate some of the stated objectives. In all cases, thorough planning and communication with parents and school authorities is highly recommended. Remember, this is a survival training exercise and not a true wilderness emergency.