Walking Mountains Science Center

Walking Mountains piloted the Girls in Science after-school enrichment program in 2007 to directly address a national trend of girls falling academically behind in science by their middle and high school years. The program now serves grades 3-5 in nine Eagle County elementary schools. The program curriculum is designed to connect the study of science to real-life situations through hands-on, inquiry-driven and fun activities. Students also learn critical collaboration and communication skills during program activities. In addition to academic achievement, Walking Mountains’ goals for Girls in Science are to increase confidence in students to engage in science activities and pursuits, and inspire them to enter science-related careers, as women are under-represented in these career fields historically.

Walking Mountains’ single-day, multi-day and overnight summer camps for grades 1-12 allow children to experience the wild places of the Eagle Valley while nurturing their connection to the natural world. Campers investigate principles of ecology and develop an understanding of scientific concepts through fun, adventure, experiments and exploration. Sessions are age-appropriate and taught by qualified natural science educators that make learning safe and fun. Summer camps run for nine weeks, overall hosting more than 500 campers. Walking Mountains also offers a summer camps scholarship fund that offers children who do not have the resources to pay camp tuition to attend a summer session.

The STEM Curiosity Lab (formerly STEM Leadership Academy) is an after-school program that provides integrated lessons in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Utilizing an inquiry approach, students explore STEM topics through innovative lessons inspired by student interest, Next Generation Science Standards and Colorado Common Core Mathematics Standards. The STEM Curiosity Lab seeks to inspire the future of STEM innovators by providing youth access and confidence in STEM topics, and strives to encourage students to pursue STEM coursework in high school and college. The program is offered as either an enrichment option or as an elective course to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at four area middle schools. The program culminates in a series of STEM Science Fairs hosted at Walking Mountains each spring.

Walking Mountains merged with the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability in December 2013 to create the Sustainability & Stewardship Programs area. Initiatives include the following:

Actively Green: A training and certification program in sustainability best-practices for local businesses.

Energy Smart Colorado: An energy efficiency support program with energy assessments and rebates available to local homeowners and businesses.

Sustainable Community Film Series: A series of educational films shown November-May in partnership with local business sponsors.

Landscape Stewardship: Internships and volunteer opportunities in partnership with local land management agencies.

Recycling and Waste Reduction: Education and outreach in the community including Zero Waste events and opportunities for internships and volunteering.

Walking Mountains’ broad scope of Community Programs engage community members and visitors of all ages through experiential opportunities using our integrated facilities and the local environment. By applying environmental interpretation strategies we will inspire people to develop a sense of place and foster a positive relationship with the natural world. Programs include:

Daily Nature Walks & Snowshoes – Departing each afternoon from our Avon Science Center; Walking Mountains staff lead a gentle educational hike or snowshoe through aspen and riparian communities. Participants learn about the ecology and animal adaptations of this mountain environment.

Science Behind Series – Monthly, hands-on presentation that explores the science behind ordinary things we encounter in our everyday lives. Past topics include rafting, worm composting, music, skiing, gluten-free cooking and winemaking.

High Country Speaker Series – Offered in partnership with the Eagle Valley Library District each winter, the series bring noted speakers to the local community to inform, entertain and enlighten audiences about regional nature, science and history.

Early Bird Walk – Participants explore meadows, forests and riparian areas in search of local bird species, and learn about birding, bird identification and habitats important to our avian friends.

Backcountry Hikes & Snowshoes – Naturalist-guided backcountry hikes or snowshoe treks over a variety of terrains throughout the Eagle Valley. Outings vary in length, and depart from our main Avon campus, the Vail Nature Center and the Nature Discovery Center on Vail Mountain.

Earthkeepers Preschool Program – Children ages 3-5 have the opportunity to explore the natural world and have fun with others while developing their sense of place. Topics vary weekly and help children express their inherent wonder and curiosity as little scientists.

Nature Tykes – Introductory program during which very young children (ages 6-36 months) develop sensory awareness and comfort in the outdoors. Accompanying parents and guardians learn ways to introduce children to the natural world and nurture their sense of wonder through the exploration of nearby woods, meadows and wildflowers.

Fright at the Museum – Walking Mountains hosts its premier community event, Fright at the Museum, each October at its main campus in Avon. The event features a range of interactive, immersive learning activities for families within a festive Halloween setting. The event sells out annually with 400+ attendees, primarily local families with young children.

In partnership with Northern Colorado University, Walking Mountains in 2016 began offering a Graduate Fellowship in Natural Science Education: a full-time, two-year professional development program that focuses on K-12 field science education, leadership, and helping to grow a reputable nonprofit organization. This position is responsible for serving the organization with a personal commitment to awakening a sense of wonder and inspiring environmental stewardship and sustainability though natural science education. Fellows coordinate and teach natural science programming both in the classroom and in the field during our summer science camps and school field programs. In addition to teaching responsibilities, fellows participate in a Master of Arts graduate program through University of Northern Colorado’s Science Education Program, eventually receiving an MA in Science Education. This model of formal classroom instruction and learning in the field is highly unique and one of just a handful of similar programs offered nationwide.

Naturalists are seasonal interns who earn undergraduate credit while staffing the Nature Discovery Center on Vail Mountain and the Vail Nature Center. They also facilitate campground programs and gain invaluable hands-on experience by leading guided group nature walks and hikes and interacting with participants of all ages. This year Walking Mountains increased its Naturalist staff from 12 to 20.