Mr. Richards teaches Life, Physical, & Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Mammalogy and Ornithology at Meadows Valley School.   The Science Field Trip... The annual Spring Science Field Trip has been a tradition at Meadows Valley High School for over 25 years. This trip has allowed students to visit and explore such places as Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Redwoods, Death Valley, and Grand Can-yon National Parks, and even Costa Rica. We have also been able to incorporate various wildlife refuges, museums, and many other points of interest. This year’s field trip is scheduled for Death Valley National Park. The field trip is totally dependent upon donations and student fees. Despite the fact that students pay a portion of the expense, it is not nearly enough to cover the total cost. I am writing this letter in the hopes that you will consider being a sponsor for this year’s trip. Last year’s trip was a success only because of the generous contributions of concerned individuals, organizations, and businesses. The Spring Science Field Trip is an educational trip in the truest sense. It is an inter-disciplinary trip incorporating English, history, literature, and health as well as the sciences of geology, biology, botany, astronomy, and archeology. Students are required to keep a daily journal, detailing their accounts of lessons learned and information acquired. Many students add digital pictures to their journals and keep them for years to come. Students also collaborate in producing a digital video of the trip. Any lessons that students will miss because of trip must be completed before leaving. The Spring Science Field Trip is very important to the students of Meadows Valley. It is one of the programs that we are in a unique position to offer because of our small size. I have had the pleasure of taking two generations of students on the science field trip. Former students have told me of taking their own families and retracing the field trip route. If you agree that this is a valuable experience for Meadows Valley students, please consider being a sponsor. All donations are tax deductible. We realize that these are difficult times for many, but any gift is greatly appreciated. In order for us to make the necessary arrangements for the trip, we are asking that donations be received by March 18, 2011. Please feel free to contact the school for more information. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.                    Mr. Richards Philosophy of Education:   Simply put, my philosophy of education is “What’s best for the kids?”  Not necessarily for the short term, but in the long run.  A thorough understanding of science is essential to a well-rounded education and for preparing students to be responsible citizens.  Many of the issues facing our society today directly or indirectly deal with science concepts.  Just a few notable examples include climate change, stem cell research, endangered species, and introduced species.  I also believe it is important to expose students to careers in science and provide them with the tools they will need to be successful in those careers.  Finally, I believe learning should be fun (even if it is not painless).  While I hope to challenge every student I teach, I am also hopeful that their day will be a little better for having been in my classroom. If you would like to contact me, the school number is 347-2411 or e-mail me at drichards@mvsd11.org.              Lesson Plans Click on the pencil to view Mr. Richard's Rules & Expectations. Jr Sr High Handbook         Click Here for Willow Weaving Highlights October 20th, 2010 Click on Logo to View Real Time Kilowatts of Electricity produced by Solar Energy at Meadows Valley School! Click A+ Paper for Mr. Richards Grading Policy

Click on the photograph for Mr. Richard's Biography Information.

Teacher 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Richards Prep Earth Science 9   Biology 10   Science 7   Science 8   Chemistry 11 12 Mammalogy Ornithology 11 12

Click on the Idaho State Department Logo to view the Idaho Content Standards for Science.

Mr. Richards Favorite Links: Animal Diversity:  http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html Nova ScienceNow: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow Digital Atlas of Idaho:  http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/                                                            If you need to obtain your login and password information, please call the school office at 347-2411 or e-mail your request to, Erin Branstetter at ebranstetter@mvsd11.org .

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