Hidden Clackamas County & Happy Valley: Natural & Human History
Monday, July 1, 2024
Course Number SS517F1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this diversified new class, we‘ll explore two beautifully designed Metro parks and two Happy Valley city parks, where there are dozens of learning opportunities for students. In addition, we’ll look at local art and history.
Bicycling Portland's Bridges
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Course Number SS415X or SS515X 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Travel over five Portland bridges via bicycle, and explore six others during a 20 mile loop adventure along both banks of the Willamette River. Along the way, you’ll discover the history and architecture of each bridge, and you will learn the importance of each bridge, regarding local geography, recreation and commerce. Ideas for classroom lessons and field trips will be discussed.
Central Columbia River Gorge and Hood River
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Course Number SS417X/SS517X 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting class, we’ll explore the natural and human history of the Central Columbia River Gorge, from Starvation Creek to Hood River. We will examine the amazing geology of this area, with hikes along the Starvation Creek Trail and along the Columbia River. We will also focus on human impacts here, discussing Native American history, pioneers to the area, the building of the historic highway, and modern industries, including windsurfing and kiteboarding. We’ll also learn about Hood River’s public art program on a Downtown walk. Along the way, discussions will focus on ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas.
Oregon Zoo and World Forestry Center
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Course Number SS415Q/SS515Q 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Discover the variety of educational opportunities available at the Oregon Zoo. We will visit diverse habitats, where we see more than 100 animal species from five different continents. Our extensive stay at Zoo will provide participants with information and ideas that can be implemented with students across the curriculum. In addition, our visit to the World Forestry Center will provide us with information about local, national and international forests, and how we can implement environmental education with our students.
East Portland…Naturally
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Course Number TBA 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
In this exciting new class, we’ll discover some of East Portland’s newest and most important natural, historical and cultural sites. Along the way, we will learn about local geology and how to identify a variety of native bird species while exploring Powell Butte Nature Park. Later, we will visit beautiful and historic Leach Botanical Garden, with its newly created elevated Tree Walk and gorgeous garden trails. We will also visit Luuwit View Park and brand new Gateway Green Park, where we will discover a variety of recreational and cultural learning opportunities for students. During the day, we will learn to identify dozens of plants and trees as we explore the trails of each park. Most importantly, we’ll discuss ways to bring the study of nature, art, local history and culture to our students through meaningful classroom lessons and field trips. Our adventures will provide ideas that will energize history, science, math and art activities across the curriculum in K-12 classrooms.
Exploring Silver Falls
Monday, July 15, 2024
Course Number SC415k or SC515k 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Explore one of the most magnificent hiking trails in America, the Trail of 10 Waterfalls, within Silver Falls State Park. Through a nine mile hike, we'll discuss the area's geology, plant and animal life, and the human history of the area. Along the way, we'll discuss ways to bring this information to our students in a variety of curriculum areas. We'll also visit the historic South Falls Lodge, where we'll discuss the craftmanship of CCC workers and we'll explore recreation opportunities.
NOTE: This class features a 9-mile hike at a leisurely pace. Although we will stop frequently for discussion and exploration, it is important that you arrive in relatively good shape!
Portland's Hidden Parks and Natural Areas: Science, Art, and History
Wednesday-Friday, July 17-19, 2024
Course Number SS403R or SS503R 3 Credits $340
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Visit a dozen parks throughout the city. The focus will be on history and environmental studies as we explore Oaks Bottom, Elk Rock Island, Ladd's Addition and the Lone Fir Cemetery. Further exploration will take us to Riverview Cemetery, Marshall Park, Gabriel Park, Peninsula Park, Columbia Park, Cathedral Park, and Kelley Point Park. Lots of ideas will be discussed for energizing lessons across the K-12 curriculum.
Biking the Springwater Trail: Discovering Historic & Natural Areas
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Course Number SS407V or SS507V 1 credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Discover local history and science as we bike the entire 22 mile length of the Springwater Trail in this one-day class. Part of Oregon’s rails-to-trails project, Springwater was once a railroad line converted to a paved, mostly flat trail that will take us by pioneer cemeteries, various historic sites, wetlands and nature preserves. Along the way, we’ll look at site reclamation and community service projects. We’ll also review native trees, plants, and birds and discuss how this corridor can be used as an outdoor classroom for your own student field trips by bike.
Exploring Southwest Portland and Dunthorpe
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Course Number SS410f or SS510f 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Explore natural woodlands, manicured gardens and beautiful estates, where science, architecture and history intersect. We’ll begin with a visit to Tryon Creek State Park, at 640 acres, the largest state park in an Oregon metropolitan area. Here, we’ll discover the accessible Trillium Trail, where dozens of plant species can be found. Later, visits to Lewis & Clark College, Foothills Park in Lake Oswego, and the Bishop’s Close will provide us with a look at beautiful estates and exquisite gardens. Along the way, we’ll stop to discuss ways to incorporate this information into history, science, math and language arts activities in grades K-12.
Exploring Forest Park & Historic Northwest Portland
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Course Number SS410d or SS510d 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Explore hidden portions of 5,000 acre Forest Park, the largest city park in the nation. While hiking the Leif Ericson and Wildwood Trails, we’ll learn the natural and human history of the park, and we’ll discover a variety of fauna and flora. In addition to hiking, we’ll explore the historic St. John’s Community, the newly renovated St. John’s Bridge, and we’ll visit the site of the 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition, a world’s fair that changed Portland’s history. Our adventures will provide ideas that will energize history, science and art activities across the curriculum in K-12 classrooms.
Historic Vancouver
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Course Number SS 411c or SS511c 1 Credit $140
There can be additional materials and entrance fees. Check with the instructor for specific details for this class.
Discover living history, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for your students as you visit the Vancouver Historic Site, Officers Row, the Pearson Air Museum, and the Vancouver Land Bridge in this one day class. The Vancouver Historic Site was one of the first military and supply centers in the west, and continues to serve as an educational resource. A walk along Officer's Row will provide insight into 19th century architecture, while the Pearson Air Museum provides an historic look at aviation. This class will provide lots of ideas to build your history and science curriculum.
Peter's Walking Tours and Continuing Education Courses.