New Orleans Program, Vol. 1 - National Science Teachers Association

Conference Program
Field Trips
Hurricane Katrina: A Private Tour $40
T-8 Thursday, March 19 1:00–4:00 PM
Learn the history of the original city, the French Quarter, and
why it was built at this particular location along the Mississippi
River. Our bus will travel through neighborhoods such as Lakeview,
Gentilly, New Orleans East, St. Bernard, and the Ninth
Ward, and we’ll drive past an actual levee that “breached” to see
the resulting devastation that displaced hundreds of thousands of
U.S. residents.
Our tour guide will share a “local’s” chronology of events leading
up to Hurricane Katrina and the days immediately following
the disaster. We’ll also explore the direct connection between
America’s disappearing coastal wetlands, oil and gas pipelines,
levee protection, and hurricane destruction. (www.graylineneworleans.com)
(Limit: 100)
Twilight Canoe Trip to Cane Bayou and Lake Pontchartrain
$65
T-9 Thursday, March 19 3:00–9:30 PM
Experience the beauty and abundance of springtime in the
Louisiana wetlands as we paddle to the north shore of Lake
Pontchartrain along one of the most scenic and unspoiled waterways
in the area, which passes through a state park and a national
wildlife refuge. We will view upland pine/hardwood forest, cypress
swamp remnants, brackish marshes, and beds of submerged
aquatic vegetation. At the lake shoreline we’ll enjoy a meal of
delicious jambalaya and the company of fellow educators and nature
lovers. Be sure to bring your binoculars—we’re likely to see
abundant bird life. Dress comfortably and wear shoes that can
get wet. Bring your hat and sunglasses for pre-sunset conditions.
Participants should be physically able. (www.pies.uno.edu/education;
www.canoeandtrail.com) (Limit: 43)
Bug Hunt at Audubon’s Research Center $35
T-10 Thursday, March 19 6:30–9:30 PM
Join Audubon Insectarium staff entomologists on a fun and
fascinating nighttime bug hunt. Find out how Audubon’s entomologists
collect native Louisiana species for display at the insectarium.
We’ll take a night hike through the grounds of the
Audubon Center for the Research of Endangered Species and assist
Audubon entomologists with the capture and identification of
various insects and other arthropod species. Bring comfortable
shoes and clothing for this excursion and don’t forget your camera!
This is a night hike over various terrains and is not handicapped
accessible. (Limit: 30)
92
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Tulane National Primate Research Center $28
F-1 Friday, March 20 7:45 AM–12:30 PM
SOLD OUT
On this visit to one of the country’s top nonhuman primate
research centers, participants will hear from center scientists and
enjoy a walking tour of the grounds. We will first hear a general
presentation from the center’s director on infectious disease research.
Staff from the center’s Environmental Enrichment Unit
will then speak on the general care and well-being of the nonhuman
primate population.
After these presentations, the tour group will be split into
two—one group will take a 30-minute walking tour of the center’s
grounds while the other group will take a van tour of the
center’s breeding colony, one of the largest in the world. The
groups will then switch. All participants will receive several informational
brochures and a bag of gift items.
Participants must be 18 years old or older. No photography is
allowed. Individuals who use a wheelchair will not be able to participate
in the van tour of the breeding colony. (www.tnprc.tulane.
edu) (Limit: 30)
Wetlands Watchers Park $26
F-2 Friday, March 20 8:00 AM–12:30 PM
F-7 Friday, March 20 11:45 AM–4:15 PM
F-2 SOLD OUT
You don’t need a boat to explore historic LaBranche Wetlands.
Experience Louisiana fauna and flora like nowhere else at St.
Charles Parish’s Wetland Watchers Park. Expert middle school
students will be our guides as we explore the extensive nature
trails and have hands-on opportunities with baby alligators and
other wetland critters.
Wetland Watchers Park is the result of Hurst Middle School’s
nationally recognized service-learning project, the LaBranche
Wetland Watchers. Working with experts from many agencies,
including the University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University,
and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, students
cleaned up trash, planted trees, and became wetland experts so
that they could lead other students on their own wetland experiences.
In 2004, 28 acres of land were donated to St. Charles Parish
in the name of the Wetland Watchers service-learning project
for the land to be used for restoration, education, and recreation.
LaBranche Wetland Watchers has been featured in documentaries
on ABC, CNN, and TBS, as well as in documentaries produced
by the George Lucas Education Foundation.