Tulare County Office of Education - Circle J-Norris Ranch

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Circle J - Norris Ranch News

Meet Nancy Bruce, Education Coordinator

Hello! I am Nancy Bruce and I am thrilled to be the education coordinator of Circle J - Norris Ranch. I have completed a circle in my career because I first came to SCICON as an intern ten years ago! Since then I've instructed at Yosemite Institute, Colorado Outward Bound School & Outward Bound South Africa. In 1998, I became a naturalist and volunteer trainer at Jefferson County Open Space, near Denver. As education coordinator, I am excited to continue the growth of field studies programs at Circle J - Norris Ranch. I look forward to collaborating with teachers and students to develop intriguing, pertinent and rewarding programs. Please e-mail me or call me at (559) 539-2263.

TCOE Purchases 7-acre Property Adjacent to Heron Pond

New Property at Circle J Ranch

Circle J-Norris Ranch grew in May 2000 when Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) purchased a property adjacent to Heron Pond. The seven-acre parcel is an important addition to the 620-acre ranch. The view from Heron Pond is now unobstructed, as the vacant buildings on the property were removed soon after the purchase. With this acquisition, Superintendent Jim Vidak assured that Circle J - Norris Ranch will keep its natural and pastoral beauty while providing field studies opportunities to students in Tulare County.

GLOBE is Coming to Circle J - Norris Ranch

Globe Program Logo

The GLOBE program is a worldwide network of teachers, students and scientists working together to learn more about our environment ...and it's coming to Circle J - Norris Ranch! GLOBE student scientists perform investigations of the atmosphere, soil, water quality and land cover/biology of the Circle J-Norris Ranch. This involves following protocols, observing, making careful measurements, and recording data. In the process, students use a variety of scientific instruments, calibrate those instruments and identify potential sources of error in the measurements taken. Students submit the data to a well-organized Web site at www.globe.gov. Students can download data from schools all over the world or contact the scientists leading the experiments. The program is offered to all grade levels in three categories: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. By getting involved in the GLOBE program, we are giving and receiving the gift of better knowledge of our local and global environment.

GLOBE Teacher Training

Teachers interested in receiving the GLOBE training can visit www.creec.org/region7/stories/storyReader$110 to find out about a training session that begins March 24, 2001. Nancy Bruce, education coordinator, attended a five-day GLOBE training in December 2000, so the training is not required for teachers hoping to involve their classes in the program at Circle J-Norris Ranch.

Do you want More News about Circle J - Norris Ranch?

Read about the Archaeology study at Circle J - Norris Ranch
Find out about Jeremy Miller's accomplishments and whereabouts

Tulare County Office of Education
Circle J - Norris Ranch
P.O. Box 339
Springville, CA 93265

Nancy Bruce, Education Coordinator
Rick Mitchell, SCICON Director
(559) 539-2263
fax: (559) 539-2369

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