Lewis and Clark Rediscovery Project

Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative Team 1

Headwaters of the Marias River

Date: September 24, 2000 District: GTCC Team 1

Completed by: Mark Ayers, Charlie Brown, Cindy Mapston, Jeredene Mayfield, Tammerah Robertson, Jennifer Schlepp Jeredene Mayfield

Contact: jmayfield@metnet.state.mt.us or medriver@3rivers.net

Abstract

The Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative (GTCC) is a consortium of thirty two K-12, thirteen K-8, one 9-12, and two associate North-Central Montana public school districts formed to address the curriculum, assessment and professional development needs of its member schools.

GTCC Team 1 will focus on the natural area around Camp Disappointment, the Two Medicine River fight site and their associated hydrology. Students will learn the GLOBE protocols to collect the data along the headwaters of the Marias River.

Students will also use the data collected to form a basis for a project called “Team Trout”. “Team Trout” is a project designed to interest students in stream ecology through an exploratory life skill’s class. The culminating activities promote an understanding of ecology, flora and fauna identification, conservation, and appreciation of Montana’s natural resources. The GLOBE data will be posted on the GLOBE website along with an additional local “Team Trout” web page.

Community outreach will be included the Team 1 project involving students’ teaching/presenting GLOBE protocols and “Team Trout” activities through Adult Education classes. They will also work with agriculture producers to inform and educate on hydrology and soil protocols.

Additionally, an evening is planned to involve parents and other interested adults. “Reel a Meal” is a scheduled time where student groups will present specific stations based on every aspect of this project. Its format will be similar to a science fair. Areas of focus will be: each GLOBE protocol, stream health indicators, flora and fauna identification, GPS, GIS, digital camera usage and exploration of related web sites.

The GTCC Team 1 historian will gather historical information of Camp Disappointment and the Two Medicine River Fight site. (A footnote: The Blackfeet Tribe has closed public access to Camp Disappointment. On site data gathering may be restricted).

Music of the period will be collected, researched, and performed by students to be archived for later use.