Cache Intermediate third grade teacher, Heather Chadwick, stepped away from the confines of her classroom, embracing the wilds of Montana and the thrilling world of paleontology. Participating in the prestigious DIG Field School, Chadwick and 29 other educators delved into the earth’s ancient secrets, an opportunity offered only to the worthy few across the nation.
Under the Expansive Sky
In the vast, untouched plains of Eastern Montana, Chadwick and her companions found a new classroom—a classroom without walls, where every crevice of sediment whispered tales of the past. Camping beneath a blanket of stars, each day presented a new excavation adventure, hiking through challenging terrains and working alongside the crème de la crème of the paleontology world.
Unveiling Earth’s Secrets
At the excavation site, the air was thick with anticipation. Chadwick, donning her explorer spirit, held a piece of triceratops bone, each fragment connecting her to a world millions of years old. This hands-on experience awakened in her and her fellow educators an unparalleled understanding and appreciation of Earth’s geological history.
Transformative Teaching
Returning to her students, Chadwick carried with her the vibrancy of this adventure. Using colorful “puff ball” activities from the DIG Box classroom kit, her third graders could visualize how sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic layers form over time. According to The Lawton Constitution, these educational activities transformed the dull pages of textbooks into lively, interactive experiences.
A Legacy of Learning
This unique journey was not just about digging fossils but about resurrecting ancient knowledge and breathing life into future generations. Heather Chadwick’s experience underscores the impactful role educators play—not just as teachers of curriculum, but as bringers of inspiration and curiosity.
The Rhythm of Discovery
As she recounts her time at DIG Field School, Chadwick embodies the adventurous spirit: “Eager to ignite the same excitement in her students, Heather Chadwick continues to inspire, one discovery at a time.” In bringing the grandeur of the past to her classroom, Chadwick crafts a narrative that encourages young minds to dream beyond the textbook and into the endless realm of possibilities lying beneath the earth’s surface.
