Rockwood Middle School Students Visit Grand Tetons, Yellowstone Park

Nearly 150 students from the journeyed to Jackson Hole, WY, to spend part of their summer exploring the outdoors in two of America’s most famous national parks. The students were split between two week-long trips, both organized by the Rockwood Trek and Travel Program, according to a news release from the Rockwood School District. 

Guided by instructors from Teton Science Schools, the Rockwood students investigated topics such as glacier studies, fire ecology and animal tracking while exploring the landscape of Grand Teton National Park. Students also spent a day in Yellowstone National Park investigating geothermal features and observing some of the wildlife for which Yellowstone is famous.

The sixth, seventh, and eighth graders all had a chance to connect to nature by hunting for animal tracks and signs, modeling glacial features and tackling challenging hikes in the national parks. Students also used high-tech tools, including GPS receivers and infrared temperature probes, to gather field data during their trip. 

The Rockwood students joined other St. Louis-area schools, including Chaminade College Preparatory Academy, Columbia School District, Hazelwood School District, Parkway School District, and Lindbergh School District, which also send students to experience Grand Teton National Park with Teton Science Schools. 

In total, more than 550 St. Louis area students visited Teton Science Schools in 2012.