1. Slow: Children at Nature Play
This attention-catching sign is designed to raise awareness about the importance of connecting children to nature. The goal is to promote getting children outside and exploring nature similar to the neighborhood signs that ask drivers to slow down because children are playing. The sign can be placed in your neighborhood, at trailheads, at nature parks and centers, zoos, gardens, aquariums, schools, etc., essentially any place that children explore, play, and learn about nature (or, a place where you think that should happen!). Creator Michael D. Barton is looking for donations to fund production.
http://exploreportlandnature.wordpress.com/nature-play-sign/
2. Using Technology to Connect Students and the Environment Toolkit
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), with support from Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., and in partnership with Project Noah, present Using Tech to Connect Students & the Environment – a video on how technology can further STEM learning through the environment, both in nature and in the classroom. Watch the video.
The free Educator Toolkit for Using Technology to Connect Students & the Environment is a companion to the video and includes activities and resources at all grade levels for implementing a project similar to the one featured in the video. Download the toolkit.
3. Creating a Schoolyard Habitat/Outdoor Classroom
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers professional development courses with partners throughout the country.
- OUT8164: Creating a Schoolyard Habitat/Outdoor Classroom, September 23-26, 2013 in Portland, Oregon; September 10 & October 29, webinars. Contact Scott Owen at scott_t_owen@fws.gov
http://training.fws.gov/documents/Section1_NCTC_Sponsored_Courses.pdf
4. Fishery Data for the Classroom
NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Fisheries Science Center Education and Outreach website offers links to a variety of fisheries data to help bring the world of fisheries science into the classroom. There are links to activities, Killer Whale, and Microworlds curricula. Be sure to check out the home page and all of the resources available through this great website.
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Education/Activities/data.htm
5. Wild Alaska in the Classroom
The Alaska Wilderness League provides free resources teachers can use to work the Arctic and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into their lesson plans. The website features a variety of lessons and activities which cover components of the arctic ecosystem, including migration, bird identification, and animal adaptations. Materials include games, art, lessons, and much more.
http://www.alaskawild.org/take-action/educate/
My “Children at Nature Play” signs are now available to order:
http://natureplaysign.com/signs/