|
|
Workshop Detail: Wednesday, July 22, 2009
(K-3): Project Learning Tree
presented by
Angie Soldinger, Texas A&M University
Curriculum Developed by Project Learning Tree
CONTENT AND TOPICS
Environmental education enhances critical thinking, problem solving, and effective decision making skills, and teaches individuals to weigh various sides of an environmental issue to make informed and responsible decisions.
We will be sampling 5 activities from Project Learning Tree's pre k-8 guide. All geared specifically for K-3 teachers, we'll explore the tree lifecycle, a tale of the sun, go on a schoolyard safari, discuss the alphabet in the park and learn about wildland fire. The activities cover science, social studies, language arts and visual arts.
Project Learning Tree uses an inquiry based approach to teach student “how to think”, not “what to think” about the environment and environmental issues. Educators use PLT to teach about forests, wildlife, water, air, energy, waste, climate change, invasive species, community planning and culture, to name a few. All PLT materials meet Texas and national education standards.
Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an award winning, broad based environmental education program for grades PreK-12. PLT activity guides and supplemental modules provide the needed tools to bring the environment into classrooms - and students into the environment. Project Learning Tree, developed in 1976, is a national program of the American Forest Foundation, a non-profit organization that works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decision making about our communities and our world. Developed to meet state and national education standards, PLT uses an extensive multi-layered curriculum development and revision process to guide the development of its materials. More than 500,000 educators have participated in PLT professional development workshops and use PLT materials to reach millions of students.
Trainer: Angie Soldinger, Conservation Education Coordinator, Texas Forest Service
Angie earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Forestry with urban forestry emphasis, from Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in December 2000. Angie began working for the City of Fort Worth in 2001, assuming the Education/Outreach Forester position. She was in charge of the City's neighborhood tree planting program and all volunteer and education activities. Angie was also responsible for the Citywide street tree inventory and Trinity Park inventories. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a Trimble Global Positioning System (GPS), Angie inventoried over 1700 trees at Trinity Park . Angie is currently the Conservation Education State Coordinator for the Texas Forest Service. She is Co-Coordinator of Texas Project Learning Tree and responsible for the State Arbor Day Poster Contest. Along with reaching students and educators, she also works with urban and rural landowners and natural resource professionals.
Summer Institute, a component of the MIDAS Project, is supported by a