A lesson plan using real-world demographic data is available for secondary educators to help students explore grizzly bear management. The lesson plan includes over 30 years of data on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and leads students through determining whether or not this grizzly bear population is biologically ready for delisting.

The lesson plan is designed for students in 9th-12th grades and aligns with the Next Generation Standards, Common Core State Standards, NSES National Science Standards and NCTM National Math Standards.

“This grizzly bear lesson plan can be used as a resource for STEM educators to teach students about the natural resources we have in Wyoming and explore conservation topics,” said Ashley Andersen, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department statewide conservation education coordinator. 

The lesson follows a flipped learning model where lectures are minimized. Instead, students become grizzly bear scientists. Using data and real-world research questions, students work to determine whether or not this grizzly bear population is biologically ready for delisting. The lesson plan includes an introductory video, teacher guide, student pages, answer key, and results show. The plan was designed by Bear Trust International, and is available for free on their website at:  https://beartrust.org/grizzly-bear-delisting-stem-lesson.

For questions about this lesson plan and other conservation education resources, contact Ashley Andersen at ashley.andersen@wyo.gov.