8/9/2007

New angling, aquatic education guide great catch for teachers, youth leaders

Called Fishing: Get in the Habitat!, the new Department of Natural Resources (DNR) MinnAqua leader's guide is a landmark curriculum that makes it easy for anyone to lead fishing trips that are safe, educational and fun.

"Our curriculum focuses on what we value in Minnesota," said Katie Kipka, DNR MinnAqua program coordinator. "Clean water. A healthy environment. The joy that comes from fishing with family and friends. All these things and more are found within 39 separate lessons that align to Minnesota academic standards as a result of our close coordination with the Department of Education."

Kipka said the leader's guide, which comes with clear procedures, handouts and scientifically accurate illustrations, is designed to get kids up from their desks and into the outdoors. For example, in the role-playing activity "Run for Your Life Cycle," youth become northern pike migrating through an obstacle course from a wetland to a deep-water lake. The "Freshwater Rods and Reels" lesson allows kids to practice casting before they get to the water's edge. And, in "Fish Families," participants learn how to identify and classify Minnesota fish.

"For teachers, the lure in each lesson is correlated to state standards for science, math, language arts and social studies for the third through fifth grades. Lessons can also be easily adapted for middle and high school students," said Kipka. "For nonformal instructors, we hope it catches on because it is designed to meet Scout badge requirements and 4-H fishing activity requirements."

Education specialists in the DNR's MinnAqua program, which reaches thousands of individuals each year through various clinics and events, developed the guide. "The result is a visually stunning, innovative tool that connects the qualified resources of the DNR with teachers and youth program leaders throughout the state," said Michelle Kelly, MinnAqua curriculum specialist. "Addressing academic standards while learning about our rich aquatic heritage through fishing - what could be more Minnesotan?"

C.B. Bylander, DNR Outreach Section chief, said the timing of the agency's new curriculum coincides with growing concern that today's children are increasingly disconnected with nature. He said the national trend toward more indoor and highly organized activities has been chronicled in Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods," and has led to new outreach efforts such as Connecticut's "No Child Left Inside" program.

"Minnesota's new curriculum is yet another voice in this national movement," said Bylander. "We look forward to providing it to those who share our interest in connecting kids with nature and building the next generation of outdoor stewards."

The MinnAqua Leader's Guide is available through one-day workshops offered throughout the state. Workshops are scheduled for Aug. 10 in St. Paul and Oct. 6 in Plymouth. To register, go to mndnr.gov/minnaqua. 

For more information on MinnAqua in northern Minnesota, call Nadine Martini at (218) 828-6044. In southern Minnesota, call Kathy Beaulieu at (507) 359-6049. In the metro area, call Roland Sigurdson at (612) 625-1291 or Michelle Kelly at (651) 582-8417.