NEW! - Big River Journey Online
New this spring, Big River Journey Online is the next best thing to a riverboat field trip on the Mississippi River itself! Filled with fun video clips and interactive learning modules about birds, boats, bugs, water quality and much more, the new Big River Journey Online allows kids to explore the mysteries of the Mississippi from school or home. Kids can peak into an eagle’s nest, spy on a romp of otters, spend time in a riverboat pilot house, imagine a waterfall greater than Niagara on the Mississippi, and solve river crimes. Each of six learning modules – plus a Welcome Aboard module – features an introductory video along with topic specific multi-media interactives, videos, games, reading, word-finds and more. Teacher resources include assessments and other “go deeper” opportunities.
Big River Journey Online was developed by the National Park Service, Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education, and Mississippi Park Connection. The program is designed to complement Big River Journey field trips but will be an engaging opportunity for kids even without the on-river experience – including students all along the river and others anywhere else in the country! Project collaborators envision future enhancements to build on the initial phase of the project.
Hamline University brought years of experience in online learning development to the project, along extensive focus on the Mississippi River and other rivers. The National Park Service brought years of subject matter expertise. And Mississippi Park Connection managed critical support from funders and assisted with project development every step of the way. The development team turned this project around in an amazingly short time, thanks to the skills of each partner, and thanks to the generosity of supporters who responded quickly at a time of crisis.
Now teachers and students, saddened by the cancellation of their field trips and challenged to pick up the pieces of a school year gone awry, can enjoy, explore, and savor the wonders of the Mississippi once again.