Opportunities for Environmental Educators
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a wide variety of accredited continuing education opportunities for teachers and other educators.
| DNR sponsored workshops | Other professional development |
Aquatic Resources Education
Contact: Cindy Etgen
PHONE: 410-260-8716
Email: cetgen@dnr.state.md.us
DESCRIPTION:
The goal of Maryland’s Aquatic Resource Education (ARE) Program is to instill a respect for Maryland's aquatic resources through professional development opportunities for educators, curriculum that meets state science, math, geography, and reading standards, hands-on aquatic experiences for students, and classroom funding opportunites.
BAY GRASSES IN CLASSES PROJECT
CONTACT: Mike Naylor
PHONE: 410-260-8630
Email: mnaylor@dnr.state.md.us
DESCRIPTION:
This cooperative program between DNR and Chesapeake Bay Foundation provides teachers with equipment to grow wild celery in their classrooms, and monitor the grasses for about 2 months in the spring. Teachers and students then plant their wild celery in the Bay with DNR scientists. This program is targeted for middle school students, but is also applicable to high school and some elementary aged students.
Where Do We Grow From Here?
Contact: Sandra Olek
Phone: 410-260-8979
Email: solek@dnr.state.md.us
Description:
The Resource Guide includes 15 lesson plans that address environmental science, government, geography, writing, math and reading outcomes. The CD includes tools and information for students such as census data, land use/land cover maps, slide shows, and lots of great documents and web sites.
SCHOOL FORESTS
CONTACT: Pam Kelly
PHONE: 410-260-8531
Email: pkelly@dnr.state.md.us
DESCRIPTION:
In cooperation with the County and Baltimore City Forestry Boards. Aid schools in designing, planting and maintaining a non-landscaping forest on school property and encourages teachers to use that forest for study.
PROJECT LEARNING TREE (PLT)
CONTACT: Dave Reinecke
PHONE: 410-543-1951
DESCRIPTION:
Six hour training for K-12 educators. Adult leaders are trained to use an activity guide and learning materials which use trees to teach young people about diversity, interrelationships, system, structure and scale and patterns of change.
PROJECT WET (Water Education for Teachers)
CONTACT: Cindy Etgen
PHONE: 410-260-8710
Email: cetgen@dnr.state.md.us
DESCRIPTION:
Project WET is a collection of innovative, water related activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun! Project WET activities incorporate a variety of formats, such as large and small group learning, whole body activities, discussion of local and global topics, and involvement in community service projects. Six hour workshops provide teachers with the activity guide, information on how to use the guide, and resources to assist teachers in incorporating Project WET into their curriculum.
PROJECT WILD
CONTACT: Marilyn Mause
PHONE: 410-356-0941
Email: mmause@dnr.state.md.us
DESCRIPTION:
Project WILD is a collection of curricular activities and resource information related to wildlife, habitat and conservation. Audience is K-12 educators. Free, six hour workshop introduces educators to over 200 activities.
Other professional development
The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
(MAEOE) is a nonprofit association that encourages, trains, and supports Maryland educators to build a citizenry that understands and is responsibly engaged in promoting sustainability, addressing human needs and conserving the Earth's natural resources.
www.maeoe.org
National Wildlife Federation Educator Workshops
National Wildlife Federation is a national nonprofit organization that educates the public about national environmental issues. The education department offers k-12 school programs, educator workshops and college programs.
http://www.nwf.org/education/
Updated August 8, 2008