Museum Ecologist for Teachers: Desert Ecology

A group of teachers in an outdoor classroom using binoculars

Applications Open Now!

Read on for the full timeline and details

Apply HERE!

NHMU educators are providing an opportunity for teachers to learn more about Utah' s unique and beautiful ecosystems. Teachers will spend three full days in southern Utah exploring and studying Moab desert habitats in person. Prior to this workshop weekend, teachers will be required to explore using citizen science, complete short readings, and participate in weekly virtual meetings with enthusiasm and curiosity.

See beyond the sand and learn about the complex connectivity of desert ecosystems with hands-on activities ready for your classroom. Sleep under the brightest stars and learn to look closely and with curiosity at nature. Join us for a teacher field experience at the University of Utah's Bonderman Field Station near Moab, where we’ll explore desert ecosystems, learn how they function, discover the unique plants and animals that call them home, and discuss how these areas are managed. Class sizes are kept small to maximize both your learning opportunities and your enjoyment! 

Click here to view a full list of specific SEEd Standards supported by Museum Ecologist: Deserts

A group of teachers walk across Bonderman Station in the desert.

When:

Weekly virtual classes with corresponding readings September 8th - September 24th , culminating in three field days October 2-4, 2026

Our online Zoom classes will be held from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. Classes with guest speakers will be recorded for asynchronous viewing, though your participation and attendance is highly recommended

Class Schedule
Tuesday Sept 8 - Zoom Class 1 – Introductions & iNaturalist

Monday Sept 14 – Zoom Class 2 - Guest Scientist

Monday Sept 21 – Zoom Class 3 - Guest Scientist

Monday Sept 28 – Zoom Class - Stewardship, Synthesize, Prepare for Excursion - wrap up for partial credit participants and preparing field experience participants

Friday Oct 2 – Sunday Oct 4 - In-person field days and camping at Bonderman Field Station, Moab

Monday Oct 26 – Capstone discussion – Teachers who attend the field experience will be asked to create and share a written lesson plan as a capstone project. This date is optional for teachers seeking feedback and further discussion about the lesson plans submitted.

Who:

This program is intended for K-12 public and charter schoolteachers in Utah. Other teachers (ex: private, homeschool, informal educators, etc.) are welcome to apply and join for partial credit or may request to be waitlisted for the field experience. Preference for the field experience is given to public and charter schoolteachers as per iSEE requirements.

What You'll Earn:

Teachers will earn 2 USBE credits and certification as a NHMU Museum Ecologist for attending the field experience and weekly virtual meetings. Teachers who attend online only will receive .5 USBE credit. Preference for future Museum Ecologist workshops will be given to those who attend this one.

Cost:

FREE - food, transportation, and accommodations will be provided, made possible by funding through the iSEE program.

Apply:

Applications are open now through August 3rd. Click here to apply now!

Due to the nature of the Deserts course, we will be camping in an off-grid wilderness space. Day activities will include walking and hiking over uneven, often rocky terrain in unpredictable weather. While we do our best to accommodate people of all abilities, attendees will need to be comfortable with these camping arrangements.

Basic Details:

We will depart from the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah on Friday morning in Museum vehicles. It is approximately a 4 – 5 hour drive, so we will plan to arrive at Bonderman Field Station on Friday evening. We will depart Bonderman Field Station on Sunday afternoon and arrive back at the Museum on Sunday evening.

All your meals, with the exception of breakfast on our departure day, will be covered by Museum funds. If you have any special dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know in advance.

Since we will be camping in a remote location, cell phone service is limited.

If you have questions about this program, please email MuseumEcologist@nhmu.utah.edu

What to expect from homework?

All participants will be asked to complete assigned relevant readings and come to weekly virtual classes prepared to participate in a short discussion. Teachers will also be asked to make at least 5 observations per week iNaturalist; which is an existing citizen science project that we will teach you how to use, and how to utilize in your classroom. Teachers who participate in the field experience must create and share a written lesson plan as a capstone project.

What to expect from lodgings at Bonderman Field Station?

You will have the opportunity to stay in one of the cabins at Bonderman Field Station, each of which is equipped with up to four cots. This means everyone will be sharing a cabin with one other person. The site has running water and power in public spaces, not in cabins. There is also plenty of room adjacent to the cabins for individuals to pitch their own tents. Teachers who commit to tent camping rain or shine may increase spaces available/cohort size. Bonderman Field Station has a shower/bath house and shade pavilion that will be open for our use during the program.

What to expect from the field experience?

We will depart from the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah on Friday morning (Oct 2nd) in Museum vehicles.  It is approximately a 4 – 5 hour drive, so we will plan to arrive at Bonderman Field Station on Friday evening.  We will depart Bonderman Field Station on Sunday (Oct 4th) afternoon and arrive back at the Museum on Sunday evening. All your meals, with the exception of breakfast on our departure day, will be covered by Museum funds.  If you have any special dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know in advance. All details will be discussed with the field experience cohort on the September 28th class for further clarification.

Since we will be camping in a unique, rustic, and remote location, cell phone service is limited.

Return to the Museum Ecologist Overview

An educator in a tie dye shirt and hat holds up a mushroom in front of a desert background