ESC’s Teacher Professional Development Workshop Series:

From Salmon Heroes to Schoolyard Heroes

Registration now open ⇒ Register Here

Using the outdoor classroom and school yard to inspire observation and action in the local community.
(Grade level focus: upper elementary through middle school teachers)

ESC’s four-part workshop series is designed to give teachers the tools and confidence to successfully lead quality outdoor learning experiences with their students. Teachers will understand how the health of the watershed in our local communities has an impact not only on our iconic salmon but on those of us who live here. Local actions, in neighborhoods and on our school grounds, have the ability to make a difference.

Outcomes:

Upon completion of the entire workshop series, teachers will:

Have gained tips/techniques and NGSS-correlated lessons to support outdoor experiences for students
Receive a kit of materials (valued at $150) to support these outdoor lessons
Receive a participation stipend of $150
Receive an additional $100 for implementing an environmental action project
Qualify for 15 STEM Clock Hours

During this four-part workshop series, participants will experience all aspects of STEM+C by participating in reading about local phenomena, presentations by ESC staff and outside collaborators, planning and collaboration time, outdoor lesson experiences, and supported individual environmental action projects. Throughout the workshop series, participants will be given time to reflect and plan independently and collaboratively.

Part 1: Introduction to salmon, watersheds, and leading students in outdoor explorations (Includes asynchronous time to pilot outdoor explorations with students)

Part 2: Outdoor exploration debrief and environmental justice

Part 3: Focus on student outdoor investigations (Includes asynchronous time to plan an outdoor investigation with students)

Part 4: Student-led environmental action projects: How to expand outdoor education on your school campus

When:

Fall 2023 Workshop Dates:

Saturday, October 14th, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (+ asynchronous time)
Thursday, October 26th, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, November 4th, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM (+ asynchronous time)
Thursday, November 16th, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Participants must attend all sections in order to qualify for the stipend, materials, and STEM clock hours.

Who:

This workshop series is designed for teachers in upper elementary through middle school (4th-8th grades).

Detailed Workshop Objectives:

Participants will increase their local knowledge and understanding of salmon habitat needs and challenges they face including stormwater pollution and ocean acidification.
Participants will collaborate with their peers to synthesize outdoor learning resources.
Participants will practice guiding students through outdoor science experiences.
Participants will practice facilitating student-led environmental action projects on their school grounds.

To register:

Thanks to generous funding from an EPA Environmental Education grant and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division Waterworks grant program, there is no cost to attend this workshop series. Space is limited to 25 teachers. Registration now open!

Questions?

Contact Hanna Jones (hanna@environmentalsciencecenter.org) for more information.