Teacher Professional Development

ESC’s Teacher Professional Development Workshop Series:

From Salmon Heroes to Schoolyard Heroes

Only 5 spaces remain! Register now to reserve your spot!

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:Display of Teacher PD kit of materials including a water quality testing kit and instructions, rite in the rain paper, cones and flagging, tarp, clinometer kit, measuring tape, and red bucket to store everything.

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 physical kit of materials (valued at $130) to help support these outdoor experiences
  • 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

Part 4: Student-led environmental action projects: How to expand outdoor education on your school campus (Includes asynchronous time to complete environmental action projects with students)

When:

2023 Workshop Dates:

  • Saturday March 25th 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Environmental Science Center (Seahurst Park)
  • Thursday April 20th  4:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Virtual 
  • Saturday April 29th 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Environmental Science Center (Seahurst Park)
  • Thursday May 11th 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM – Virtual 

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, there is no cost to attend this workshop series. Space is limited to 25 teachers. To register, please fill out our Teacher PD Registration Form

Questions?

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