The Nature of Science: Educator Monthly Virtual Learning Series

Join Oklahoma State Department of Education and certified environmental education facilitators for a FREE monthly interactive virtual professional development series on the 4th Monday of each month from 7:00–8:30 PM CT designed to inspire educators and bring science learning to life through real-world environmental phenomena.

Each month, participants will explore timely, seasonal natural phenomena—from changing weather patterns and wildlife behavior to water movement and plant life cycles—and engage in hands-on, classroom-ready activities from the nationally-recognized Project Learning Tree (PLT), Project WET, and Project WILD that connect directly to what students are observing in their world right now. Community-based organizations will also spotlight relevant resources from grants to field trips, and more, to help you connect the youth in your life to the world around them.

Sessions are intentionally designed to spark ideas, model effective instruction, and provide space for curiosity. Educators will see activities demonstrated as they would be taught with students, while learning how lessons support scientific practices, environmental literacy, and inquiry-based learning aligned with “The Nature of Science.”

This series also creates space to network with fellow passionate educators, ask questions, and learn directly from experienced, veteran environmental educators who bring years of classroom and field expertise. Whether you are new to education or looking for fresh inspiration to strengthen your practice, each session offers practical strategies you can use immediately. This series is focused on K-12 classroom teachers; however, all types of educators are welcome including early childhood, afterschool, and nonformal.

Participants will receive certificates for 1.5 professional development hours for each session attended as well as classroom-ready lesson plans and related resources shared.

Training Details:

• Dates: 4th Monday of the month via zoom technology
• Location: virtual: Join from your classroom or couch!
• Cost: FREE
• Participants will receive a certificate for 1.5 hours of professional development
• Participants will receive classroom-ready, field-tested resources to use in their practice from Project WET, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, and other resources.

Questions? Contact Us!

Jack Hilgert, jack.hilgert@conservation.ok.gov, (405) 613-3835, Oklahoma Project WET and Project WILD

Lisa Sizelove, Lisa.Sizelove@sde.ok.gov, (405) 522-7548, Project Manager, Science and Engineering, Oklahoma State Department of Education

Tony Pascall, Anthony.Pascall@ag.ok.gov, (405) 317-8322, Oklahoma Project Learning Tree

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM:

Project WET stands for Water Education Today. Water is a part of everything we are, everything we eat, and everything we use. Yet most people do not even know where their water comes from, let alone their larger water footprint. Project WET provides educators, natural resource professionals, and more real-world, relevant, and hands-on lessons, that create an interdisciplinary learning environment focused on the most essential aspect of life—water.

Project WILD’s mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. All curriculum materials are backed by sound educational practices and theory, and represent the work of many professionals within the fields of education and natural resource management from across the country.

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) provides educators with high-quality professional development, hands-on activities, and multi-disciplinary supplemental curriculum that can be easily integrated into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas to help teach youth about trees, forests, and the environment.