Yellowstone & the Tetons - Pin Oak Middle School

Yellowstone & the Tetons: the Land of Fire & Ice
Preliminary Itinerary for I.B./ AP Geography: Yellowstone & the Tetons Field Study
Sept 28, 2012 1. Depart IAH for Salt Lake City, UT.
2. P & M Mine, SLC; largest open pit mine
3. Travel to Idaho Falls, Idaho
4. Overnight at Holiday Inn Express, Idaho Falls
Sept 29, 2012 1. Mesa Falls- edge of Yellowstone Caldera; Bear World; picnic lunch
2. Swan Valley to Teton Pass to Jackson Hole in the Grand Tetons.
3. Overnight in Jackson.
Sept 30, 2012 1. Morning in the Grand Tetons- impact and formation of folded mountains; fluvial
patterns; glacial features; Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend, Snake River
2. picnic lunch- String Lake; mid-Afternoon- Lv. for Yellowstone
3. Overnight in Gardner, MT
Oct. 1. 2012 1. Mammoth Hot Springs- and Yellowstone back country; Montana north
entrance; Field work- data collection @Narrow Gauge; Park naturalist escort through
the back country (normally off limits)
2. Tower and Lamar Valley;
3. overnight in Gardner, MT
Oct. 2, 2012 1. Yellowstone- impact of plate tectonics, naturalist, geology
2. Naturalist guide through the upper and lower basins; Thermal features
3. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River; Stream testing Yellowstone Rvr
4. Resurgent dome of Yellowstone Lake
5. overnight in Old Faithful Inn
Oct. 3, 2012 1. Fire Hole canyon; stream testing Madison & Gibbon Rivers
2. Grand Prismatic & Midway Geyser Basin; hiking Fairy Falls
3. Lamar Valley
Oct. 4, 2012. 1. Afternoon in West Yellowstone
2. evening campfire at Lake Hebgen
3. overnight in West Yellowstone, Best Western Desert Inn
Oct. 5, 2012 1. Leave to return to Bozeman. .
2. Travel through ancient volcanic crater and lava flows.
3. Leave Salt Lake ; arrive Houston 6pm
A note about geography: Geography is the observation of the world around us; the cause and effect, the relationships
between man and the environment, and the understanding of the interrelationships of people. It is the pure science of a
social studies field. Geographers complete their experiments and research in the field. The only way to understand the
World around us is out in the field.
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If you have ANY questions or concerns please ask me: room #s364 at Bellaire High School
phone #: 713-305-7323 home; school # 713-295-3704; email: annlinsley@gmail.com or
akennedy@houstonisd.org; PinOak: Greg Switzer, phone #: 713-295-6500; email: gswitzer@houstonisd.org
Extended field study to the Yellowstone and Grand Teton’s National Parks in Wyoming

Yellowstone & the Tetons: the Land of Fire & Ice
Purpose: To observe firsthand, the impact of the largest volcanic eruptions on the planet and the everevolving
landscape as a result of continued tectonic activity. To see evidence of changing climate systems
on glacial and water influenced features. Participate in actual and meaningful data collection in thermal
fields and stream beds to evaluate changes to potential habitat survival. Lastly, to develop an understanding
of the Basin and Range topography and the challenges of this unique landscape to the survival of plants,
animals and people.
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Payment:
Final Payment for the trip is due by September 4th. The total cost is $995. payable in check or cash and
in payments over the summer. Please make checks out to Ann Linsley. Please complete the flight
information form.
Due to non-refundable payments that have to be made, deposits are non-refundable as well.
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Expected Weather conditions:
The low at night in Yellowstone in September & October can range from the low 40’s to the 20’s. We have flexible
outdoor activities at night, and you will not be able to leave the property of the Yellowstone hotels after dark. The high
ranges from the 40’s to the 50’s during the day. There most likely will be snow in the higher elevations of the Teton’s
and Yellowstone. Layering is the best thing to do as it can warm up into the 50’s-60’s during the day. You will need a
hat, a warm jacket and mittens/gloves. You do not need to buy a heavy snow parka or equipment such as that. You
will need a good pair of sturdy walking shoes- no sandals, no open foot/toe shoes, no Keds/ skeechers.
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Housing: Students are 3-4 in a room. Pin Oak students will only room with Pin Oak students. There will be one
room “leader”. At all times you must be in groups of 2 or 4 at least. All rooms have showers and bathrooms. We stay
in cabins in the Mammoth region and conventional hotels the rest of the nights. Mother Nature has amazing
entertainment just outside the window!!
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Meals: This is a low budget experience so fine-dining is not part of our plans. Breakfasts are included. We will stop
at several large grocery stores to get picnic lunches. Dinners will be based on where we are, but when we are in the
park we are limited to what is available in the dining room or something purchased at the grocery stores along the way.
Lunches and dinners need to be budgeted. One lunch and two dinners are included in the trip costs.
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What you will be doing:
You should think of this as a 12 hour rolling/ hiking classroom where the flora, fauna and geology of the parks are
lectured on site, explored and investigated. You will be participating in geology/ biology/ ecology field work in the
Tetons & Yellowstone. This will include taking measurements in thermal areas and along stream beds. The data
collected is part of a 15 year study of the rapid changes in this ecosystem. You will have the chance to see wildlife in
their environment and observe how plants and animals adapt to the more extreme nature of this region. All participants
will keep a field journal, complete questions/ assignments in the field guide and read the information in the field guide.
You will need to describe, draw and photograph your observations for your journal. The landscape will be explained
along the way with many stops as necessary. There will be at least four 90 minute sessions for students to complete
work missed during the week with teacher’s assisting and instructing as needed.
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Chaperones/ Behavior: Mr. Switzer & other PinOak faculty will oversee the Pin Oak students. There are 3-4 other
chaperones that accompany us as well. There are strict policies in the park areas that will be followed. Violation of
any school or district policies will result in a student returning home at the parent’s expense. I have never had major
problems and do not anticipate any in the future.
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Final comment: I have taken almost 2,000 students to this incredible region from in the past 12 years. Every time it
is a new experience. As a geographer and environmental scientist it is one of the most amazing places to be in and
then to lead my students on the experience makes it even more incredible each time.

Yellowstone & the Tetons: the Land of Fire & Ice
Airline Schedule
Sept 28
Leave: Houston
Arrive: Salt Lake, UT
Return this form with your payment
Payment may be made in check, or cash.
Checks: make payable to _Ann Linsley ____
Please complete the following information:
Oct. 5
Leave Salt Lake City, UT,
Arrive: Houston
Name of student (as appears on ID) __________________________
address ______________________
Phone: ______________________
Email: ____________________________
Gender: Male Female (TSA requirement)
Birthday: _____________ (TSA requirement)
form of payment: check no# _______ cash
Airline: Frontier
Total cost: $995. includes airfare, bus, housing, breakfasts, 2 dinners, 1
lunch, snacks, entry fees, back country guide, materials for data collection,
**** $300. Deposit DUE BY June 10th****
please return earlier if possible
Deposit can be left at Pin Oak MS for Joan Linsley or mailed to Ann Linsley
at Bellaire High School, 800 Circle, Bellaire Texas 77401
**************************************** NOTE ****************************************
A Pin Oak administrator confirming that the student exhibits behavior that is exemplary
and reflective of Pin Oak’s expectations must sign this form.
______________________________ Name of Administrator: ___________________
Signature

Yellowstone & the Tetons: the Land of Fire & Ice
Dear Pin Oak Students,
A special invitation is extended to you to participate in a unique field study experience in
Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks, Sept 28- Oct. 5, 2012. I have taken my
AP Geography and AP Environmental Science classes to the region 26 times over the last
14 years. It has been mentioned to me for some time that the middle school students
would benefit from participating in the hands-on data collection and the immersion in the
geo-science of this fascinating area. The Pin Oak students will be participating in
everything that the high school geography students are doing, lectures, data collection,
field tests, hikes, evening recap discussions, evening hikes and travel. The Pin Oak
students will be housed together but will be part of everything we are doing. Please find
the itinerary and flight information included. Reservations and down payments are due by
June 10 th .
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or Joan
Linsley or Greg Switzer at Pin Oak M. S. I look forward to fostering a stronger vertical
team with our feeder middle school in order to build an even stronger foundation for our
students’ high school science and social studies
Sincerely,
Ann Linsley
Ann Linsley
IB/AP Geography
PreAP Geography
IB Coordinator
Bellaire High School
annlinsley@gmail.com or
akennedy@houstonisd.org