© 2025 Public Radio East
Public Radio For Eastern North Carolina 89.3 WTEB New Bern 88.5 WZNB New Bern 91.5 WBJD Atlantic Beach 90.3 WKNS Kinston 88.5 WHYC Swan Quarter 89.9 W210CF Greenville
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
89.3 WTEB operating at reduced power

ENC high school science teachers studying wildlife and the ecosystem at Yellowstone National Park

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published June 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM EDT
A grizzly bear (bottom right) forages in Yellowstone National Park. Predators like wolves, bears and mountain lions have all recovered in the area after nearing extinction a century ago.
Nick Mott
/
MTPR
A grizzly bear (bottom right) forages in Yellowstone National Park. Predators like wolves, bears and mountain lions have all recovered in the area after nearing extinction a century ago.

Four eastern North Carolina science teachers are among a dozen from across the state who are taking part in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Yellowstone Institute.

Yellowstone is America’s first national park, and this week the teachers will study wildlife ranging from gray wolves to grizzly bears, study the park’s unique geology, learn about the role of fire in natural ecosystems, and discuss conservation and environmental issues similar to those in North Carolina.

Local participants include Ashley Huygens of Bitz Intermediate School in Jacksonville; Paige Stanley, Chicod School in Greenville; Heather Watson, North Duplin High School in Mount Olive; and Michelle Wojcuich, Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School in Rose Hill.

More than 900 outstanding North Carolina science educators have participated in these Institutes since 1987.

They’re posting on an online travel blog.

Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston