CTE Forestry and Natural Resources Course Materials

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Yvette Herrera
School Site
Sierra High School
Grant Category
Career Technical Education (CTE)
Grant Date
2026-06-09T12:00:00
Description

The SHS CTE Forestry and NR program is brand new (25-26 being the first year it ran) and small changes are always being made to improve a curriculum to make it as engaging as possible. For this up-comming school year, it is my goal to make this course more hands on and lab/activity based to bring the curriculum to life and engage students at a higher level. Last year, our program was given as small budget to purchase the textbooks and classroom materials to start us out. Throughout the year, I have learned a lot not only about the topic/curriculum but of interesting new activities and ways to engage the students- however it requires additional materials and supplies that we currently do not have and do not have the budget for. 

Benefits of Program

This is a new program that has been highly successful in its first year. SHS has around 35 students enrolled (whole school) and our new CTE program enrolled about 20 students throughout the school year. Additionally, this year students participated in a project based learning (PBL) experience that paralleled and enhanced the curriculum. For the PBL, students produced a 17 minute documentary about the wolves recolonizing the Sierra Valley. The project extends beyond filmmaking into a high-level scientific field study, students engaged in the following:

  • Public Advocacy: Participating in expert Q&A panels to discuss their findings and the filmmaking process.
  • Ecological Research: Embarking on field work opportunities to learn from ranchers, ecologists, and biologists. 
  • Professional Mentorship: Working alongside professionals to engage in durable skills learning and be introduced to varying careers in the scientific, technological, and film industries. 

Additionally, they hosted a viewing and Q&A panel at the Grass Valley Film Festival and will be attending the International Wildlife Film Festival in Montana over spring break to showcase their film and host another panel. 

This grant aims to support similar projects in the future of this course that connect students with industry professionals, build durable skills, and create a passion for the sciences. 

Success of Program

The success of the program will be seen through student surveys upon completion of the course and final course products/projects. 

While we may not create a documentary to be showcased on the international level every school year, each year students will participate in Project Based Learning that supports their educational goals and introduces them to a wider worldview and options for post graduation. 

  

Implementation

The materials will be used throughout each semester to support the according unit of curriculum. 

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

Yes, these materials can also be used in a traditional biology and/or chemistry course as well as any other subject/activity that can make a reasonable connection to the use and need of the materials. Sharing is caring. 

Sustainability
All materials can be used from year to year and will only need to be replaced is fully damaged/broken beyond general repair.
Amount Funded
$2312.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$298 - Doyle Scale x8
$605 - increment borer x1
$25 - Heat lamp x2
$286 - inclinometer x 8
$25 - graph paper x2
$10 - String level x1
$11 - highlighters x1
$16 - colored pencils x1
$600 - basal area prism x8
$16 - baking soda x1
$48 - nitric acid x1
$15 - Gloves- Size M x2
$16 - Gloves- Size L x2
$11 - corn starch x1
Shipping
$185.00
Taxes
$145.00
Other funding sources

Some materials may need to be replaced after a 4-5 year use, these replacement funds will be able to come from the small science and/or CTE budgets that SHS has. 

File Uploads
Materials Order - 26-27.pdf (68.77 KB)
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