February

February 10. Project Learning Tree: Early Childhood Educator Workshop. Tomahawk. Early childhood educators are raving about the Project Learning Tree PreK-K Activity Guide and Music/Movement CD. With these fun, interdisciplinary activities, children become nature detectives, dance with a tree, and take a simulated walk through a forest, complete with the sounds of the animals that live there. The activity guide and CD feature guided outdoor explorations; animal voices, dances, stories, and simulations; an annotated bibliography; art; assessments; and topic-related snacks. Correlated to the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Contact Chris Tall, (608)267-0495.

February 20. Project Learning Tree PreK-8 Educator Workshop Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This national, award-winning environmental education program uses the forest as a “window” to study the natural and built environment. PLT’s creative supplemental teaching activities are interdisciplinary with PreK–8 teaching activities and in-depth secondary modules. Over 95 learner-centered activities about plants, trees, forests, natural communities, food webs, and more are compatible with instruction in science, social studies, language arts, environmental science, and mathematics. Each activity features a children’s literature bibliography, technology connections and is correlated to the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards. Registration fee: $45. Register by contacting Dawn Koceja by e-mail at: koceja@mpm.edu or call (414) 278-6943.

March

March 12. What’s in the Water? Project WET Educator Workshop. Gathering Waters Room, Nevin Fish Hatchery, Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 8:30a.m.-3:30p.m. Just how does the surface and groundwater of Dane County become contaminated, and how can you illustrate the processes of contamination to students of all ages? This workshop hosted by the DNR and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey will use Project WET and other teaching tools to explain how Dane County’s surface and groundwater can become contaminated and how we can protect these essential resources. Educators will learn how to use Project WET’s classroom ready activities to get students engaged in learning about our water resources. Project WET is an interdisciplinary K-12 conservation and environmental education program with over 90 activities focused on water. This workshop will offer exciting new teaching ideas for use in science, math, social studies, language arts, and environmental education classes. Each participant will receive the Project WET K-12 Activity Guide and a packet of groundwater-related resource materials specific to Wisconsin. Cost: $20.00. Lunch will not be provided. Please bring a sack lunch. Contact: Amalia Baldwin or (608) 264-8930 by February 26.

March 13. Project WILD Educator Workshop. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Kids love wildlife and that’s why teachers and nonformal educators love this exciting conservation and environmental education program. Over 150 activities designed to develop awareness, knowledge, and identification skills to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and the environments they depend upon. Activities emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based, and cooperative learning. Project WILD participants receive two guides with lessons for grades k-12. These projects can be used for service learning that involves students in environmental action projects on school grounds and in the community. Registration fee: $45. Register by contacting Dawn Koceja or call (414) 278-6943.

March 14. Our Watery World: Project WET Social Studies Educator Workshop. Marriott West Hotel, Madison, WI. Noon to 4pm. Is it possible to pull people and place apart? At their roots, environmental issues are social issues and the other way around. Come learn how to bring the many concerns surrounding water into social studies lesson plans using Project WET. Project WET is an interdisciplinary K-12 conservation and environmental education program with over 90 activities focused on water. In this four hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the Project WET activity guide, engage in at least five activities, and have time to share ideas on how to use Project WET in their classrooms. Participants will leave the workshop with their own Project WET guides and a collection of educational resources from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that complement Project WET activities. No matter what specific subject or grade you teach, this teacher-tested program will enhance and diversify your teaching while meeting academic standards and helping students understand their inseparable ties to our water-y world. Cost: $20.00 (discounts available to participants registered for the 2010 WCSS Conference). Contact: Amalia Baldwin or (608) 264-8930 by March 8.

March 20. Project WILD Educator Workshop. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Kids love wildlife and that’s why teachers and nonformal educators love this exciting conservation and environmental education program. Over 150 activities designed to develop awareness, knowledge, and identification skills to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and the environments they depend upon. Activities emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based, and cooperative learning. Project WILD participants receive two guides with lessons for grades k-12. These projects can be used for service learning that involves students in environmental action projects on school grounds and in the community. Registration fee: $45. Register by contacting Dawn Koceja by e-mail at: koceja@mpm.edu or call (414) 278-6943.

April

April 7. H2Outstanding: Project WET for Interpreters. Wintergreen Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells, 12:30-5:00 p.m. Come learn how to bring the many joys and concerns surrounding water into interpretive programs using Project WET. Project WET is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program with over 90 activities focused on water. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the Project WET activity guide, engage in at least five activities, and have time to share ideas on how to use Project WET in their individual settings. Participants will leave the workshop with their own Project WET guides and a collection of educational resources from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that complement Project WET activities. No matter where you are an interpreter, this activity guide will enhance and diversify your teaching while helping your audience understand their inseparable ties to our water-y world. Cost is $20.00. Contact Amalia Baldwin or at (608) 264-8930.

April 22. Earth Day. Take time to celebrate our natural resources and do something to help sustain our water, air, forests, lakes and rivers. Check out EEK! to find fun activities to get kids involved this year.

April 30. Wisconsin's Arbor Day. Arbor Day is a national environmental education program designed to teach students the importance of trees within our environment. Wisconsin’s Arbor Day is celebrated by schools on the last Friday in April and is usually linked with Earth Day. Annually, the state nursery program provides 75,000 free tree seedlings to Wisconsin fourth grade students for this celebration. These are only available to classrooms in Wisconsin. Get ready for this year's Arbor Day and Earth Week by getting kids involved in this year's 4th Grade Writing Contest and 5th Grade Poster Contest. Also, 4th grade teachers can order free tree seedlings.

May

May 15. Project WET, Project WILD Educator Workshop. Wehr Nature Center, Franklin. In this Combined Workshop, participants will develop new skills, learn how to adapt activities to their curriculum, explore literature and technology connections, and share expertise with colleagues. Workshop participants will also receive a copy of Taking Action, a supplemental activity guide for Project WILD. In addition, participants will learn about and receive a collection of educational resources from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that complement the activities presented in the guides. These programs meet state teacher and academic standards, are eligible for inclusion in an initial educator plan, and can be used in renewal of your licensure. Register by May 10th. Cost $60.00. Contact Howard Aprill at 414-425-8550.

May 22. Project WILD Educator Workshop. Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Kids love wildlife and that’s why teachers and nonformal educators love this exciting conservation and environmental education program. Over 150 activities designed to develop awareness, knowledge, and identification skills to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and the environments they depend upon. Activities emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based, and cooperative learning. Project WILD participants receive two guides with lessons for grades k-12. These projects can be used for service learning that involves students in environmental action projects on school grounds and in the community. Registration fee: $45. Register by contacting Dawn Koceja by e-mail at: koceja@mpm.edu or call (414) 278-6943.