Engage the Range
Engage the Range is a project-based learning unit of three sequential modules for grades 9–12. It introduces students to the history and significance of Great Plains rangelands and leads them to design sustainable stewardship solutions.
How to use this toolkit
1. Resource Guide
First, review references and suggestions for teachers using Engage the Range
2. Learn the Range
Then, a student-led tour of rangeland history, characteristics, and issues that shaped today's challenges
3. Experience the Range
Then, in-person or online insights from ranchers about what's working and what could improve
4. Change the Range
Then, students design, prototype, and showcase solutions to a rangeland challenge
Resource guide
Engage the Range Resource Guide
Reference the Resource Guide for helpful tips, links, and information, including suggestions of how to integrate Engage the Range across disciplines and use it as a tool to deepen student awareness of equity and justice.
© WWF
Learn the range
This self-paced interactive course takes students on a journey through the past, present, and potential future state of the rangelands found throughout the Great Plains. As they explore key historical events and environmental drivers that shaped today’s landscapes and species, students will also engage in an essential step of the scientific process: identifying and defining a real-world problem facing Great Plains rangelands. This sets the stage for deeper inquiry and solution-focused thinking, helping participants connect what they learn to real-world challenges.
Time needed: 60-75 minutes (or split past/present/future between class periods)
© WWF-US / Clay Bolt
Experience the Range
In-person field trip
The objective of this module is for students to use their senses to identify characteristics and common range issues while learning directly from a rancher on site during a field trip to a range. Through these firsthand conversations, students gain insight into the solutions ranchers are currently implementing—what strategies are working well and where there is still room for improvement. The teacher guide and rancher guide support trip planning and provide suggested prompts to explore different aspects of the range. Distribute the student guide to each participant so they can take notes and respond to reflection questions after the trip concludes.
Time needed: For field trip = 0.5 day total depending on travel time (1-2 hours for activity); For student post-reflections = 10-15 minutes
© WWF-US / Clay Bolt
Virtual Field Trip
Students can explore multiple ranches from the comfort of their screens and learn from ranchers as they share about the various considerations and challenges they face while maintaining the ecosystem and landscape. As ranchers share effective solutions they are currently implementing—along with what still has room for improvement—students gain valuable insight into real-world rangeland management. A downloadable, fillable guide is linked within the Introduction chapter for students to record observations and reflections for each segment.
Time needed: 60-75 minutes
© MTNHP - STEVE COOPER
Change the Range
In this final module, students will apply what they’ve learned about sustainability and range management by creating and presenting a prototype solution to one of the issues they discovered during Experience the Range. With an emphasis on envisioning possible solutions for the future, students use the design thinking process to imagine how rangeland challenges might be addressed moving forward. The teacher guide offers a variety of activity options that walk students through each step, and also includes a student reflection exercise and an assessment/grading rubric.
Time needed: 2-3 class periods
© WWF