The Discovery Center was recently visited by a group of students very far from home. On Sunday, February 8th, 30 middle and high school students from China, part of the Wisconsin Education and Winter Exploration Program, spent most of the day exploring the Discovery Center by snowshoe and learning all about bats. We started inside with a short program on bats, where the students were able to meet our live education bat, Leon, up close and personal. I was really surprised by their knowledge of the English language, and even learned a few new words in Chinese, including nocturnal and echolocation. They had great questions and were really engaged throughout the program.
 |
| Students explore bat artifacts after meeting a live education bat up close |
.
Before heading offsite to the Pea Patch Saloon for lunch, the students visited all the exhibits and animals that live in our Nature Nook. They loved all the taxidermy critters and especially liked the opportunity to touch and look at Maize, our education corn snake.
 |
| Students taking a closer look at Maize, our education corn snake. |
When they returned from lunch, it was time to do a bit of snowshoeing. For some of them this trip to the US was their first time playing in snow, and for many, their first time on snowshoes. Mark, one of the leaders, gave a great introduction to snowshoeing and we were soon off on the trail. Being an adventurous crew, they wanted to snowshoe across the deep snow on the bog- they really had a good workout! We finished the trek by running across the lake- laughing and falling the entire time.
 |
| One of the leaders, Mark, instructs students on how to use the snowshoes. |
 |
| Students try out their snowshoes before heading out on the Discovery Center trails. |
 |
| Students try out their snowshoes in the deep bog snow. |
 |
| Crossing the bog boardwalk. |
 |
| Students finished the snowshoe trek by running across Statehouse Lake. |
It was really a neat experience for me to be a part of a group like this one. I haven’t had the pleasure to instruct many foreign students, and it turned out to be a really fun time for all of us. We look forward to possibly working with the group next year!
About the 2015 Wisconsin Education & Winter Exploration Program
The Wisconsin Education & Winter Exploration Program is in its second year and is a collaborative effort between UWSP’s School of Natural Resources, Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, and International Students Office, as well as the Stevens Point Area School District & the Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools.
Each Chinese student is matched with an American student during the school day, who serves as their “buddy,” helping to acclimatize them to American culture and language, as well as to the school system. This is taking place at Pacelli High School, PJ Jacobs Jr. High School and St. Peter Middle School. The Chinese students follow the daily class schedule of their buddies, and when feasible, take part in extracurricular activities along with them. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the trip for most of these youngsters from China is their home-stay for a long weekend with a local family. From Wednesday evening, February 18th through Sunday afternoon, February 22nd, each Chinese student will stay in the home of a family and get a glimpse into how a typical Midwestern American family lives. Families will include the students in all their normal meals and activities, as much as possible. This is something the Chinese students are all very excited about!
This year there are 30 middle & high school aged participants from China, up from 16 students last year. These students have expressed an interest in Natural Resources and the possibility of future study in the US. The students will attend classes in the public & Catholic Schools most weekdays and take part in programming related to Natural Resources throughout the three weeks they are here. The Chinese students will be accompanied by an adult chaperon from China. While they are in Stevens Point, a UWSP Program Coordinator with a background in Natural Resources will lead them on all outings and excursions, with the assistance of three UWSP student counselors. During their stay, the group will visit the Mead Wildlife Area, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, and Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River, the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, and Treehaven in Tomahawk. They will also go snowshoeing, sledding & tobogganing, and spend a day at a waterpark in Wisconsin Dells.
