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LEARNING
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TRAILBLAZER
INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Like climbing a mountain, making the most of information technology in
science education is physically and intellectually challenging - and can be as
rewarding as the view on reaching the summit! For many reasons, we have chosen 'America's
Mountain' (Pikes Peak) as the model for UT-Dallas' MT SCIENCE incentive program.
Find out why and join our team today! |
Events
| The Barr Trail | Rewards
Excerpt from
The Friends of Pikes Peak
website - December 1999: Barr Trail Maintenance Project Overview
Pikes Peak, at an elevation 14,110 ft, dominates the landscape for hundreds
of miles in all directions. It influences the lives of the people who live at
its foot, in many ways. “The Peak” provides not only recreational
opportunities, and inspiration for poets and artists, it is the primary water
shed for the surrounding communities, and provides critical habitat for many
species of plant and animal wildlife. As the only ‘solo’ 14er protruding as it
does into the prairie, it affects the weather in the surrounding area. The
soil or rock composition of Pikes Peak is unique creating its own special
problems in erosion.
Pikes Peak has a rich history. It stood as a beacon and icon for the native
peoples. With the coming of the settlers, it has attracted mining, timber
harvest, homesteading and tourism. Today, persons wishing to ‘experience the
peak’ have a number of options, from riding the COG railway, or driving their
car to the summit along the Pikes Peak Highway toll road, to running the Pikes
Peak Ascent or Marathon (the 4th oldest marathon in the country), or just
plain hiking.
The primary non-motorized route to the summit of Pikes Peak is Barr Trail.
This 13 mile single-track trail was originally constructed by Fred Barr in the
early part of the 20th century to support his guided mule train tourism
business. He led tourists on mule back from Manitou Springs to the summit from
1918 until about 1924. The primary uses for Barr Trail today include hiking,
running, and back packing. Although biking and equestrian uses are allowed,
the majority of users are pedestrians. Thousands of people use the trail to
access the summit or to access the forest below the summit every month of the
year, with the highest usage occurring in August prior to the Pikes Peak
races.
Excerpt from
the
Lewis and Clark Journey of Discovery at the
Jefferson
National Expansion Memorial on-line!
Pike spent several days in trying to reach the peak (which would later bear
his name). He made it to the top of Cheyenne Peak, to a height of 9,000 feet,
but realized that what he called "Grand Peak" was "as high again as what we had
ascended, and it would have taken a whole day's march to arrive at its base,
when I believe no human being could have ascended to its pinical." Up to his
waist in snow, dressed in inadequate summer clothing in 4 degree below zero
weather, Pike decided to return to the base camp. Zebulon Pike never set foot on
Pike's Peak, which he, by the way, also did not name. A later explorer named
Stephen Long in 1820 called it "Pike's Peak," and John C. Frémont popularized
the name in 1844.
The granite massif embodies an richly diverse and fully integrated system.
Most any subject can be linked to the ecology, geology, and history of this
magnificent landmark - including the uncertainty of science! In 1913 at the summit of Pikes Peak - overwhelmed by the sights of vast, open
skies, planted fields, and the majestic Rocky Mountains - Katharine Lee Bates
was inspired to pen the lines to her most famous poem, "America
the Beautiful." On July, 7, 2002, the
Denver Post reported
that: "Reflecting cartographic accuracy more than geologic uplifting, the latest
maps from the U.S. Geological Survey set the official heights of many Colorado
landmarks as much as 7 feet higher than before." Pikes Peak now looms 14, 115 ft
above sea level!
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Events
This section lists a range of opportunities for professional development and
continuing education based on the tools and resources of MT SCIENCE. Indicating
the level of experience in science education that is recommended for
participants, each event is coded according to the Trail Difficulty Ratings, taken from from
Trail Guide Symbols.
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Easy = Beginner: Requires limited skill and has little physical challenge.
Tread is smooth, level, and wide with generous clearing of trees, limbs, and
other vegetation above and to each side of the trail to permit easy passage.
Elevation gain or loss is minimal. Streams are most often crossed with
bridges. |
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More Difficult = Experienced: Requires a moderate skill level and provides a moderate
physical challenge. Tread surface contains roots and embedded rocks.
Clearing of trees, limbs, and other vegetation above and to each side of the
trail results in occasional contact by the users. Elevation gain or loss is
moderate. Streams are most often crossed by fords. |
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Most Difficult = Advanced: Requires a high degree of skill and provides a lot of
physical challenge. Tread is seldom graded except on steep side slopes for
safety and prevention of soil erosion. Minimal clearing of trees, limbs, and
other vegetation results in hampering the progress of the user. Elevation
gain or loss is usually severe. Streams are crossed by fording and are
sometimes difficult. |
Please feel free to
request/suggest other opportunities to take advantage of MT SCIENCE!
Professional Development Workshops
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get
0.5 miles closer to the summit! |
Mountain Climbing 101: Using real-world data for real results in science
classrooms Learn how to make new transitions from the abstract to the concrete by
integrating real-world data into everyday science lessons. We'll explore ways of
'hiking the net' that take advantage of technology-assisted 'hooks' for
different types of learners. Tied to the TEKS, we'll also provide assessment and
evaluation examples.
- February 08, 2003: Metroplex Mini-CAST (Mansfield, TX)
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Real-World Field Trips for Science Educators
Learning and
studying in the field present some challenges. How do you know what is
important? How do you know if what you observe is or is not typical? How do you
know when you are finished? Hopefully the answer to this third question is
that you’re never finished; that the techniques and information remain with you,
supporting lifelong learning.
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get
2.0 miles closer to the summit! |
Habits
and Habitats: How the
real-world is 'hooked' together
Enjoy a day of discovery in a natural environment. Hands-on study of the
interrelationships of organisms in their unique environments reveals the
patterns these relationships make. Focusing on what’s happening and has
happened in the field- away from classrooms and textbooks - shows the
learner how the sciences are interrelated and that the biotic and abiotic
are inseparably linked. We'll look at the geology, ecology, and impact of
mankind in an effort to understand pieces of the biospheric puzzle.
- March 22, 2003 (9a-3p): The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
(McKinney, TX)
Fee = $10 per person. Space is limited to 20 participants.
We'll start with an introduction and tour of the
museum. After we learn about on-going bird banding research in the wetland area,
we'll practice some water sampling and explore the sanctuary! Bring your
own sack lunch, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages (and binoculars if you
have some) for the day.
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The Barr Trail
- Pike & San Isabel National Forest
The following description is from
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/pp/barr.shtml:
BARR TRAIL #620 MANITOU SPRINGS TO THE SUMMIT OF PIKES PEAK
ACCESS: 1. Trailhead is off Ruxton Avenue, Manitou Springs Colorado above
the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad Depot. 2. Some visitors ride to the summit by
auto, bus, or Cog Railroad and hike down the trail.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: Foot and horse trail. Motorized vehicles
are prohibited. Hiking or riding along the Cog Railroad right-of-way is
prohibited.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS : The trail is rated more difficult because of its
long sustained grade rising to an especially high elevation. Although an
average hiker might complete the round trip in about 16 hours, those persons
not used to hiking, especially at these altitudes, should not attempt the
round trip in one day. Because of the long sustained grade, even a one way
downhill hike from the summit is very tiring to the legs and feet when not
conditioned.
NARRATIVE: Barr Trail, named after its builder, Fred Barr was constructed
from 1914 to 1921. The trail passes through three ecological life zones,
Montane, Spruce-fir and alpine. Wildlife species common to those zones are
frequently observed.
Pikes Peak has been a landmark since before recorded history. It was named
for Zebulon Pike who described the Peak in 1806 while exploring in the area to
the south. The first recorded climb to the summit was in 1820 by Dr. Edwin
James of the Stephen H. Long Expedition. At present, over 60,000 visitors per
year are estimated to climb the peak on the Barr Trail.
WEATHER: Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the summer.
Temperatures at the summit may be as much as 40 degrees cooler than at the
bottom. Afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the summer and snow or
sleet may be encountered throughout the year.
DRINKING WATER: Drinking water is not readily available. Water from streams
should be treated before use. Hikers are advised to carry an adequate supply.
CAMPING: An open shelter is located about nine miles up the trail just
below timberline. Campfires may be built at this site. Barr Camp is another
popular overnight camping or lodging spot operated under a special use permit
with the US Forest Service. A charge is made for use of the facilities.
Length: Difficulty: 13 miles (21 KM) More
Difficult
Recommended Season: Spring X |
Summer XX | Fall X | Winter -
Maps: Quad Maps: Pike & San Isabel
Nat Forest Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak
Profile:
Elevation: Ruxton Avenue 6,720 ft - Pikes Peak Summit 14,110 ft
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Rewards
We are awarding TrailBlazer 'miles closer to the summit' and will recognize
significant milestones as detailed below.
Please complete a TrailBlazer
profile if you'd like to register in the MT SCIENCE Incentive Program...
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Milestones: |
Summit = 13.0 miles
Treeline = 9.0 miles
Campsite = 6.0 miles
Overlook = 3.0 miles
Trailhead = 0.00 miles
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Mileage award rates: |
0.5 mile = half-day workshop
1.0 mile = full-day seminar
2.0 miles = local day trip (or per
workday for extended field trips)
3.5 miles = 2-day field trip
(overnighter)
Bonus miles = TBD for special
projects!
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