Timeline

Notable moments in Teton Science Schools’ growth:

1967 — A schoolbus becomes the first classroom for Teton Science Schools.

1968 — Based in a tent camp near Huckleberry Hot Springs, Ted Major teaches summer field ecology to Jackson Hole High School students.

1969 — The summer field ecology program moves to the Haines Ranch and Teton Science School begins a longstanding relationship with Grand Teton National Park.

1974 — Ted and Joan Major move Teton Science School to the Elbo Ranch on Ditch Creek in Grand Teton National Park, forming an official partnership that continues to this day.

1978 — Having established workshops for teachers and a wide range of natural science programs that span a nine-month calendar and reach over 700 students of all ages, the Majors retire.

1983 — Teton Science School embarks upon its first capital campaign with a goal of raising $1 million. By 1985, two student dormitories, staff housing and commons area, the Joan and Ted Major Laboratory and the Murie Museum are added to the Kelly Campus—a result of the successful campaign. Another outcome of the fundraising effort is the establishment of the Murie Endowment.

1988 — With year-round programming serving over 3,500 students, Teton Science School adds the Field Research Station in Bridger-Teton National Forest to accommodate an expanded offering of summer field programs and college credit courses.

1991 — The Dining Lodge is moved from the nearby Hunter Ranch to the Kelly Campus and construction begins on two duplex housing units as the student count passes 5,000. Outreach programs begin serving public schools throughout the region.

1994 — Teton Science School sets a precedent in environmental education with the establishment of the Professional Residency in Environmental Education (Graduate Program). Aspiring teachers now have a chance to combine academic coursework with invaluable field and classroom teaching experience.

1997 — Journeys I Outreach takes the “sense-of-place” curriculum that serves as the foundation for all Teton Science School programs to public school teachers throughout the Greater Yellowstone Region, offering training, teaching materials, ongoing support and an expanded communications network.

2000 — With the acquisition of Wildlife Expeditions, the annual number of students served nears 10,000.

Journeys II Outreach is developed to offer entire school faculties the chance to be trained in “sense-of-place education.”

2001 — Teton Science School acquires the Mad Dog Ranch to solve long-term staff housing needs and provide a temporary home for the Journeys School and nascent Teacher Learning Center. Journeys School opens in September 2001 with 56 students.

2003 — Teton County Commissioners approve final development plans for the new Jackson Campus. With building restricted to 16.5 acres at the northern end of the property, 96% of the 880-acre Jackson Campus will be preserved as open space under various conservation easements.

The Conservation Research Center is established to study the impact of community growth on wildlife. The Center's initial focus will be to study wildlife ecology, manage human impact and restore flora and fauna on the roughly 860 acres of conserved open space on the Jackson Campus. Ongoing Teton Science School research studies like the MAPS bird banding project will continue under the supervision of Center staff.

2004 — The Board of Directors approves a name change to Teton Science Schools (making 'Schools' plural) to signify the breadth and depth of educational opportunity that Teton Science Schools offer. New programs like Journeys School, the Teacher Learning Center, Wildlife Expeditions and the Conservation Research Center make Teton Science Schools unique in the world of environmental education.

2005 — Journeys School moves into its permanent home with over 150 Pre-K through 12th grade students and the Givens-Black Teacher Learning Center welcomes teachers from around the world. A five year-old dream is realized: the Jackson Campus is up and running.

2006 — Never one to rest on its laurels, Teton Science Schools kicks off a capital improvement project for the Kelly Campus that will include the construction of a Graduate Student Center, renovations to the Main Lodge and Dining Hall, and in conjunction with Grand Teton National Park, an upgrade to the water system.