  MASTODON CAMP!
In August 2005, a contractor makes a discovery. Watch Video» --------------------------------- When was the mastodon
in DuPage County? Are todays elephants related to the ancient mastodon? What was the climate like back then? Naturalist Jack MacRae answers these and other questions. Watch Video» --------------------------------- |
Help uncover a 12,000 year old mastodon!
On August 30, 2005, the fossilized remains of a mastodon were discovered at the Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in DuPage County, Illinois. Working together, The Field Museum and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County have developed Mastodon Camp!, an exciting two-week program that allows educators and high school students from the Chicagoland area to participate in an actual scientific excavation. Mastodon Camp! is a two-year program. The first year—2007—was a tremendous success, and we’d like you to apply for the second and final year!The details?
- Mastodon Camp! will run from Monday, July 28th to Friday, August 8, 2008, with days off on Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd.
- During the first two days, you will participate from 9am – 3pm at The Field Museum, where you will learn: 1) how the landscape tells us about Illinois' ice age past; and 2) how fossils tell us about evolution and climate change. You’ll also learn the nuts-and-bolts of fossil excavation and take behind-the-scenes tours of The Field Museum’s vast collections of fossil mammals and archaeological artifacts—all from scientists and naturalists from the Museum and Forest Preserve!
- Then spend eight weekdays from 10:00am to 5:00pm at James “Pate” Philip State Park, where you’ll unearth the bones of one of the mightiest beasts to ever march across Illinois—the mastodon! But that’s not all. How does the soil and rocks under our feet tell us about the past? How did prehistoric humans make stone tools? And how can we protect the fragile ecosystems that we all depend on today? You’ll find out at Mastodon Camp!
- At the excavation, you’ll also be a part of expeditions@fieldmuseum! Videos and participants’ journal entries will document the entire experience.
- To conclude the experience, The Field Museum and Forest Preserve District will host a celebration at the excavation site during the evening of Friday, August 8th.
- Breakfast will be provided on all days. Lunch and transportation to the Museum and State Park are not provided; we are encouraging participants to carpool.
- All educators enrolled in the camp will earn 50 CPDUs. Also available is the option of earning 3 National-Louis Graduate Credits ($120/per credit will be applied) or 3 CPS Lane Credits. To earn credit, one must complete the required assignment(s):
- Create a report—in the form of a class journal, written or oral discussion with the class, or a PowerPoint presentation—on evolutionary change that addresses Illinois’ geologic and biologic past, how learning about past ecosystems helps us understand the world in which we live today, and the importance of conservation.
- Develop and present an original curricular activity that is related to the changing landscape of Illinois, focusing on geology and/or biology. The developed activity must be correlated with the Illinois State Learning Standards and be grade specific.
- Actively participate in class, discussions, hands-on activities, and field excavation.
- The program presents a wonderful PD opportunity, with scheduled discussion times set aside just for teachers.
- For more information and pictures from last year’s dig, please visit www.fieldmuseum.
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How do I apply?Mastodon Camp Applications: Download the Teacher Application Form Download the Student Application Form |
Mastodon Camp! will offer many exciting adventures and rewarding opportunities. And you’ve been specially selected as one of the few candidates that will receive this notice. Please see the attached Educator Application for details.
New! Mastodon Camp, Weekend Edition
For those teachers that do not have two weeks to devote to a mastodon dig, on August 2nd the Forest Preserve District is offering “Mastodon Camp, Weekend Edition”. This is an opportunity to attend a four hour workshop/seminar that will provide an overview of the Mastodon project, including prehistory of DuPage County, and the chance to get your hands “dirty” in one of the excavation units. Call Tom Pray at 630-871-7537 for details.
And the students?
Up to 7 students (8th to 12th grade) can participate in Mastodon Camp! And we’d like you to help us find students for the program. In addition to the Educator Application, also enclosed is a Student Application form. Please identify one of your students that you’d like to work with during the camp. The application process is highly competitive, and teacher-student teams are highly encouraged!
In conclusion…
Mastodon Camp! is a unique experience that will lead to opportunities for engaging students from your school in the exciting worlds of paleontology, geology, archaeology, ecology, and conservation. It is also is an opportunity that should be embraced and taken seriously. We expect 100% commitment to the Mastodon Camp! program.
We want to thank you again for your time spent on the application process, and we hope to hear from you soon. Notification will happen by May 12, 2008 via e-mail, telephone, and/or mail. If you should have any questions, feel free to contact us at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Pray
Education Outreach Manager
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
P.O. Box 5000
Wheaton, IL 60189
PH: 630-871-7537; FAX 630-462-5658
E-MAIL: tpray@dupageforest.com