University of Calgary, Biogeoscience Institute Experiential Education Programs

By: Michael J. Mappin

Since 1988, Mike has worked at the University of Calgary’s Kananaskis Field Station (now called Biogeoscience Institute BGS) where he has pioneered the development, implementation and evaluation of field-based education programs to enhance ecological understanding for students, teachers and educators, policy makers and the general public. Mike has worked tirelessly to create programs for students and teachers ranging from day trips to week long residential field trips. He has taken a leadership role in identifying and addressing emerging issues in experiential and ecology education and building programs around these topics. What makes his programs different is he takes current scientific research and communicates this directly to participants while covering the specific science curricula. Students in BGS programs experience real research science, as opposed to text book lessons.