Garrett College's educator professional development project will use Project Learning Tree, the American Forest Foundation's award-winning environmental education program, to show participants how they can bring environmental learning into classrooms in their hometowns; thus educating educators how to link the environmental literacy standard into their respective subject area.
Alex Tuel, director of education and teacher preparation at Garrett College, recently was awarded a grant from the Tucker Community Foundation to help facilitate the professional workshop. The session will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5 at Garrett College. Lunch will be provided. The deadline to register is April 20.
Project Learning Tree uses forests as a window on the world and provides educators with environmental education curriculum resources that can be integrated into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas. Project Learning Tree teaches students how to think about complex environmental issues, and helps them acquire the skills they need to make sound choices about the environment. Developed in 1976, Project Learning Tree's 50-state network includes more than 500,000 trained educators using Project Learning Tree materials that cover the total environment.
Although this program has been around for more than 40 years, it is very new to the area. Through professional development opportunities this spring and summer, educators will be trained in the Project Learning Tree curriculum, which aligns with not only national standards, but also state standards. Upon completion of the professional development workshop, participants will receive a curriculum guide.
Garrett College is taking a "turn-key" approach in which the college will provide each participant many of the supplies that are needed to complete the lesson plans in the curriculum guide. This will make it very easy for educators to incorporate the program into their classroom.
Each educator who is trained in Project Learning Tree can become a GreenSchool! and apply for community service learning grants, called GreenWorks! grants, at the national level. Anyone who is interested may call Tuel at 301-387-3028 or alexander.tuel@garrettcollege.edu.
