Summer SOPE Sign-Up

 

Summer SOPE 

We are excited to open enrollment for Summer SOPE 2022! SOPE-Discovery School is open to McDonald County students in grades 7th and 8th. This program immerses students in the local natural and cultural environments of McDonald County, and engages students in studying how society and the environment are intertwined.

This Summer, SOPE students will be researching whippoorwills in Missouri. They will use a variety of methods such as using acoustic recorders on Big Sugar Creek State Park and other locations, conducting insect transects to evaluate habitat, and visiting with scientists from Missouri Department of Conservation and the University of Alberta. Students will integrate their research along with ecological concepts and historical land use practices in order to develop well-written essays to be published on SOPE's website, and a podcast that will inform the public about whippoorwill conservation.

Summer SOPE involves a lot of time in the water. Students will be canoeing, snorkeling, and swimming in order to collect data used in their investigations. Students will also be off-trail in Big Sugar Creek State Park and other locations. This will put students into potential contact with biting and stinging insects, as well as snakes.

This program should not be viewed as a way to get out of school. In fact, your student will be engaged in much more rigorous research and investigation. Many of the activities your student will be doing are incredibly physical, and you can expect your student to be exhausted by the end of these weeks. They will be doing a lot of work in outdoor environments. This means they will be exposed to rain, sun, heat, cold, and local wildlife, both small and large (read: lots of ticks). Your student will be expected to dress appropriately and with necessary supplies for that day. The weeks activities will be shared prior to the first day so you know what to expect for the week, and any changes will be noted as quickly as possible.

Academic work is also more rigorous. Students will demonstrate understanding of the concepts through a variety of methods, including writing, designing and giving presentations, videos, and developing plans for local projects.

You can view the activities from previous SOPE sessions at https://www.facebook.com/groups/911731039177267/. If your student is selected, we will contact you to get additional necessary information. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Keith Jones at kjones@mcdonaldr1.net.