"An experience that leaves a
 lasting impression."

The mission of Montana Outdoor Science School is to promote an awareness, understanding and appreciation of the natural world through quality educational experiences.

We strive to inspire the young and old alike to explore the wonders of science and nature in their own backyard. We wade in the wetlands, climb mountain peaks, bushwhack through forests, walk through farmers' fields and float rivers; exploring the relationships between the natural world, our communities and ourselves.

From a five-year-old turning over a rock to discover the bugs that live under it to a teenager tracking wolves and observing pack behavior in Yellowstone, our talented educators teach hands on science skills and techniques, enabling students to discover these relationships in an engaging, challenging, and fun way.

Our programs provide students with memorable experiences, while encouraging the open-ended questioning that fosters lifelong learning. Students also gain an understanding of how science contributes to the stewardship of our environment and how scientific tools can help citizens become active participants in shaping public policy. Using hands-on experiential learning, Montana Outdoor Science School changes people's lives, one student at a time.

HISTORY

INSTRUCTORS

Scott Abrams
Scott is joining MOSS for his second year. Abrams teaches as an instructor for the middle school Outdoor Science Club at Chief Joseph Middle schools as well as after school programs. Born and raised in Montana, Abrams brings nearly a dozen years of empirical experience focusing on wilderness navigation, bear aware camping, mountain climbing and off trail route finding using topographic maps and compass. He has augmented his mountain travels with two Outdoor Educator Courses conducted by the National Outdoor Leadership School as well as acquiring a Wilderness First Responder certification and a Leave No Trace Trainer certification.
Kaitlin Bear
Kaitlin is a native Montanan and is starting her second year as a year round field instructor for MOSS. She graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Arts and Environmental studies. After completing a term as the MOSS Education Intern (Summer 2005), Bear spent a year in New Hampshire volunteering with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and AmeriCorps. Her year of service included five months of environmental education in underprivileged schools and six months of field conservation in various New Hampshire State Parks. Bear will be teaching our Science in Residence Program in Livingston, leading our Nature Rambler’s classes and teaching Adventures in Winter Ecology throughout the school year.
John Bell
John is a new to M.O.S.S. this fall. Bell graduated from California State University Sacramento in 2004 with a B.A. in environmental studies and a minor in Geology. Bell is currently pursuing his Masters in Science Education with Montana State University. During college Bell mentored at risk elementary students in Rancho Cordova, CA for 2 years through the Americorps. Since his graduation Bell has worked as a field biologist for Hawk Watch International, which gave him experiences with counting/identifying migrating raptors, and trapping/banding migrating raptors. Bell also worked a season as a Mexican spotted owl surveyor. Most recently Bell has been a professional snowboard instructor at Bridger Bowl, and earned the 2006-2007 "Children's instructor of the year" award. Bell has also been volunteering at the Montana Raptor Conservation Center, since 2004, assisting with the rehabilitation effort and presenting education programs in and around southwest MT. Bell is joining MOSS this school year to work as a field instructor with our Middle School Outdoor Science Club at Sacajawea, and to work in both our Science in Residence Programs, and Ways of the West Outreach Programs as a substitute instructor.
Ashley Mearig
Ashley began last school year working for MOSS as an Education Intern and this year is an instructor for our after school programs at the Children’s Museum of Bozeman, Irving Elementary, and LINKS for learning in Livingston. Mearig also helps lead up our School’s Out classes. Mearig is currently attending MSU and is seeking a major in Fish and Wildlife Management and hopes to pursue a teaching degree in secondary education.
Dan Meegan
Bio coming soon.
Shelly Neuman
Shelly grew up in rural Wisconsin and acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She began working for MOSS this past summer after working three years at Rocky Creek Farm in Bozeman and was our lead instructor for our farm programs. Nueman is teaching our Nature Rambler’s courses, along with leading up our School’s Out days, and field programs throughout the school year.
Becky Tolzman
Becky joins MOSS for her second full year as a field instructor. She graduated from University of North Carolina-Wilmington with a degree in biology and recently received her Masters degree in Science Education at Montana State University. Before making her way to Bozeman, she was at the Teton Science School in Jackson, Wyoming teaching residential programs to students from all over the country. Tolzman has also worked in the Appalachians for the US Forest Service as well as for Riveredge Nature Center in Wisconsin. As a year-round MOSS instructor Tolzman teaches the Ways of the West Outreach Programs, the Middle School Outdoor Science Club at Chief Joseph and Adventures in Winter Ecology.
Rose Vallor
Rose Vallor has been sharing her passion for the outdoors through teaching for many years. She has been teaching skiing for over twenty years at Bridger Bowl, in Utah and in Germany. While in Europe she began and ran summer camps in Prague, Czech Republic. She completed a secondary education degree in broad field science at Montana State University to go with her geology degree from University of Montana in Missoula and then began to work with MOSS, ski, and raise her daughter Fiona. Rose teaches Ways of the West School Outreach programs, Trail Creek Education, Longfellow after school programs, and Adventures in Winter Ecology as a year round field instructor.

Summer and Guest Instructors

Jenna Grimm
Amy Harstedt
Angie Hewitt
Doug Higgins

Leah Knickerbocker

Erin Lynch
Steph Mumma
Danielle Nicholas
Hilary Papendick
Claire Pichette
Anna Schmitt
Josie Shern
Kristin Sutton
Shelly Wunsch
*Required minimum bachelors degree or working towards one, experience with youth and in the natural science field. First aid and CPR training.

STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Eva Patten, Chair
Former board president of Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) and retired government relations coordinator for the Nature Conservancy in Arizona.
Jennifer Allain, Co Vice Chair
Marketing Officer for First Security Bank; extensive experience in sales, marketing, banking and the outdoor industry; member of the United Way Board of Directors.

Marcia Youngman, Co Vice Chair

Served 12 years as a Bozeman City Commissioner, including a recent term as Mayor. Two issues on which she provided leadership were youth programs and protection of the community’s natural environment. She was honored as Montana Woman of the Year in 1998 and in 2002 received a fellowship to Harvard University for an executive leadership program. She is currently a university science textbook editor, public interest consultant, and active community volunteer.

With a prior life as a river basin planner, aquatic science curriculum writer, and fisheries research administrator, Higgins is now the Development Director for The Tributary Fund. She holds a B.S. in Biology and a masters in Resources Management. Higgins is also a parent with children who have participated in MOSS programs for many years. This is her second time serving on the MOSS board.
Diana McDonough, Immediate Past Chair
Principal at Sacajawea Middle School in Bozeman, Montana; parent; M.S. Education; B.S. Education.
Robin Arnold
Curriculum director, Bozeman school district.
Karl Cook
Owner, construction and real estate development.
Jeff Eshbaugh
Realtor, Heart of Montana.
Jennifer Miller
Program Officer for Yellowstone to Yukon for Wilburforce. Prior to joining Wilburforce in 2001, Jennifer was Development Director for Predator Conservation Alliance. She holds degrees in English from Hobart and William Smith Colleges (BA) and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (MA).

Director of the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund based in Emigrant, Montana and sits on the advisory committee for the Park County Community Foundation.  In her spare time, Rupe enjoys training horses, skiing, and traveling.
Terry Wolfe
32 years as a county extension agent in Cascade & Gallatin County counties; State 4-H Youth Development Specialist; Executive Director of the Montana 4-H Foundation; BS and MS degrees in Agriculture Education.
Andy Wunsch
Director of sales for Simms Fishing Products, and formerly at REI as the online category manager and a store manager; Master's degree in economics from San Diego State University.