Building Bridges at Wildlands School

Wildlands is a Charter School through the Augusta School District. At Wildlands School, you learn by doing. This means you have the freedom to determine the best way to develop projects, solve problems, present findings, and evaluate results. Learn from Wildland's School's innovative curriculum that focuses on using scientific research and project-based learning. While Beaver Creek Reserve is not directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school, we are glad to partner with the students and faculty on mutually beneficial projects.  

ENROLLMENT

Become a student and learn first-hand how to conduct scientific research! The school offers a 7th and 8th grade integrated middle school and 9-12th grade high school (with advanced research programs). Each year 60 students will be accepted to the school. Students from any area school district can apply. In the past, students from Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, Fall Creek, Osseo, New Auburn, Menomonie, Elk Mound, and Eleva-Strum school districts have attended the Wildlands Charter School.

At Wildlands, you will:

• Develop valuable learning and research skills.
• Learn about science, math, technology, English, history, and social studies in a locally relevant context.
• Meet state learning standards through the accomplishment of personal learning plans.
• Learn outdoor recreation skills that will last a lifetime.
• Benefit from a supportive multi-generational community.
• Research areas of interest and relate to relevant curriculum.

SAMPLE OF STUDENT SCIENCE PROJECTS

Students participate in a wide range of projects as demonstrated by the following past and present projects:

Bathymetric Mapping of Fall Creek Pond

Integrate geography skills, GPS technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) computer technology, geometry, math, and statistical skills to develop a new depth map of a local pond to replace the 1960 DNR map.

Mark and Recapture Population Studies

Trap and tag various species (i.e. raccoon, squirrel, fish) and population models applied to collected data.

Radio Telemetry Range and Habitat Studies

Work with live trapping, safe handling of animals, radio collaring, signal location and processing, and reading GIS computer models to plot range and habitat use for different species including bears, raccoons, coyotes, deer, pike, etc.

Lake Eau Claire Bathymetric Mapping Project

Help the Wisconsin DNR develop a comprehensive bathymetric map with GPS and GIS so they can better manage the water quality of the lake.

Small Mammal Inventory Project

Help the Wisconsin DNR develop small mammal hair traps, taxonomic keys to mammal hair at the microscopic level, and a DNA analysis library of small mammal species differences.

Digital Video Production Projects

Script, film, and produce videos for tutorials or publicity. Past projects include videos for Wisconsin Nature Mapping.