Mission Statement
The Observant Naturalist’s mission is to provide training in science, science teaching, and outdoor education to teachers, students, and the general public to increase their appreciation and understanding of the natural world. We do this through innovative, science-rich activities that make learning fun.
Who are we? The Observant Naturalist is an educational, nonprofit organization based in Boulder, Colorado. We offer inquiry-based science workshops that focus on those science topics people can readily experience in their "everyday" lives. In astronomy, these are the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets, and how ancient cultures kept track of time by observing the sky. In geology, these are how rocks and the landscape tell the geologic history of the area. Potentially, the most valuable skill we teach is the scientific process and how to be a good observer.
Learning and enjoying the outdoor, science classroom means feeling comfortable in the outdoors. We offer workshops and expeditions that cover essential skills such as planning, navigation, decision-making, leadership, backpacking, wilderness first aid, and travel through technical mountain terrain.
Why do we do what we do? The natural world is an amazing laboratory where one can discover the secrets nature has to offer with an initial introduction to science and the skills of observation. With these mental and a few physical tools (pencil, paper, and a magnifying glass or planisphere), a person can embark on an endless and stimulating journey of discovery. In a society that depends on science and scientific thinking, it is important for people to have positive experiences learning science so that they recognize the value in understanding scientific concepts, methodology, and they support scientific research.
Why does it matter? The simple answer would be for the sheer joy of learning about how the world works. The deeper answer is that as our society becomes more complex, our dependence on logical and rational thinking will increase. Because of this, our society needs to make learning about, appreciating, and supporting science a priority to people of all ages.
Learning and enjoying the outdoor, science classroom means feeling comfortable in the outdoors. We offer workshops and expeditions that cover essential skills such as planning, navigation, decision-making, leadership, backpacking, wilderness first aid, and travel through technical mountain terrain.
Why do we do what we do? The natural world is an amazing laboratory where one can discover the secrets nature has to offer with an initial introduction to science and the skills of observation. With these mental and a few physical tools (pencil, paper, and a magnifying glass or planisphere), a person can embark on an endless and stimulating journey of discovery. In a society that depends on science and scientific thinking, it is important for people to have positive experiences learning science so that they recognize the value in understanding scientific concepts, methodology, and they support scientific research.
Why does it matter? The simple answer would be for the sheer joy of learning about how the world works. The deeper answer is that as our society becomes more complex, our dependence on logical and rational thinking will increase. Because of this, our society needs to make learning about, appreciating, and supporting science a priority to people of all ages.
Bio for Mike Zawaski
Founded by Mike, The Observant Naturalist is a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to providing scientifically accurate, fun, and experiential science education.
For over 17 years, Mike Zawaski has been filling many roles in science and outdoor education. He is the co-developer of the innovative teaching style, Kinesthetic Astronomy and Astronomy for Outdoor Educators workshops, with Cherilynn Morrow. Mike teaches astronomy, geology, and meteorology at Front Range Community College in Colorado. During the summers, he has been a geologist for the Colorado Geological Survey doing the field work to create geologic maps of the state. Mike’s synthesis of science and education occurs in the outdoors by helping outdoor educators and enthusiasts understand and enjoy the science of the world they see around them. Mike's latest project, the Teacher’s Rock program is dedicated to providing middle school, high school, and informal education geology teachers with geology content, lessons, and rock samples to help improve science education. Mike has a Master’s degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Northern Colorado. For his thesis, he traveled to Peru to survey Inca monuments for their astronomical alignments. This research continues today with J. McKim Malville from the University of Colorado. Seventeen years of instructing for the Colorado Outward Bound School has taken him up glaciated mountains, guiding multi-pitch rock climbs, rafting rivers, backpacking through canyons, kayaking the ocean, and over to Australia. He is also in his twelfth year instructing for the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). Previous positions include Regional Outreach Coordinator for the NASA Education Broker for the Western US (2006-2007) where Mike traveled to regional conferences to provide workshops and offer booths to distribute materials related to NASA missions and programs. As Educational Specialist (1999-2006) at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, CO, Mike led workshops for educators and community members in formal and informal settings, developing educational materials, and supporting mobile astronomy programs in the western states through NASA's Office of Space Science EPO Broker program. |
 Mike floating down the Grand Canyon |
Mike's research focuses on how the Inca were using astronomy at their sites. This image shows the different rising positions of the Sun and where the Pleiades rises relative to points on the horizon as seen from this site. A horizon like this would work well for helping people determine the time of year. Photo M. Zawaski