Blog Archives
Badge: DNR – Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is an environmental education program for kids from preschool through grade 12. It is from the American Forest Foundation.
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Steps
1. Project Learning Tree (PLT).
Project Learning Tree is designed to get kids outside. The purpose is to teach kids HOW to think about the environment. Explore the Web site to learn more.
2. GreenWorks!
GreenWorks! provides the framework for service learning in cooperation with businesses, non-profits, etc. Review the guidelines and brainstorm ways you can incorporate PLT activities / service into your current programming.
3. GreenSchools!
GreenSchools! encourages positive environmental action of schools and communities. Review this program and decide if you want to reduce your school’s ecological footprint. These activities can be incorporated into normal school days. How much can you do to help the environment?
4. Try an activity.
Free activities are available online. Try one or more to see how the program works. Is this something you can use with your youth troop / group?
5. Take a PLT workshop.
Search for your state coordinator and / or events to find out when workshops are being offered. Sign up and take one.
6. Earth and Sky radio show.
www2.plt.org/flash/PLT_EarthSky_2009.html
Earth and Sky is a daily radio show that highlights a range of environmental topics. Go to the Earth and Sky Web site and look through some of their offerings. Do a tutorial if you are interested in this resource.
7. Focus on forests.
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests module is now available. Learn about forestry. Explore the links and resources to find activities you can use with your youth.
8. Look through the curriculum.
Review the curriculum to find other items not specifically called out in the steps of this badge program. Are there more areas you’re interested in learning about? If so, find out more.
9. Additional resources of PLT activities.
Under “Curriculum”, explore the additional activity resources for both PreK-8 and Secondary.
10. Incorporating PLT with Girl Scouts.
PLT has activities that work with all levels of Girl Scouts. Look through their provided lists to see what activities you can incorporate into your Girl Scout activities.
11. Incorporating PLT with Boy Scouts.
Look through activities to find out how to incorporate PLT activities with Boy Scout activities.
12. Create an activity box.
Create an activity box based on the program/youth you work with to introduce adults to Project Learning Tree. Include instructions on how the activity works and where adults can get their own materials if they are interested in learning more.
13. Environmental education.
connect.plt.org/app/render/go.aspx?xsl=tp_community.xslt
PLT provides even more educational support. Check out their site where they encourage others to share their PLT materials.
14. Become a trainer or coordinator.
Find out what you need to do to become a trainer / coordinator for Project Learning Tree.
15. Explore ways to share PLT.
Find ways to share Project Learning Tree with others beyond Step 14.
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Sites to Explore
All links are provided within the steps above.
Badge: DNR – Flying Wild (revised)
Flying WILD deals with migratory birds – conservation and environmental awareness. Flying WILD is a part of Project WILD.
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Steps
1. Flying WILD.
Flying WILD has 43 activities focused on birds. They explore conservation and environmental issues through contests, quizzes and hands-on projects. Review the table of contents to see what this program has to offer.
2. The Birding Beat.
www.flyingwild.org/guide/TheBirdingBeat.pdf
Review “The Birding Beat” activity available online. Is this something you can incorporate into your programming?
3. Gulf Oil Spill resources.
www.flyingwild.org/resources/gulfoilspillresources.htm
Review the materials for the Gulf Oil Spill resources.
4. Explore birding links.
www.flyingwild.org/resources/links.htm
Explore the extensive list of links to additional birding resources.
5. Participate in a Flying WILD workshop.
Find and participate in a Flying WILD workshop. Review all of the materials you receive free at the end of this workshop. Explore one or two activities that you can use with others.
6. Incorporating Flying WILD with Girl Scouts.
www.illinoisaudubon.org/NEWFWfiles/FWpdfs/GSALinks.pdf
Look through the provided lists to see what activities you can incorporate into your Girl Scout activities.
7. Incorporating Flying WILD with Boy Scouts.
www.illinoisaudubon.org/NEWFWfiles/FWpdfs/BSALinks.pdf
Look through activities to find out how to incorporate Flying WILD with Boy Scout activities.
8. Create an activity box.
Create an activity box based on the program/youth you work with to introduce adults to Flying Wild. Include instructions on how the activity works and where the adult can get their own materials if they are interested in learning more.
9. Service.
Explore how you can do a service project with a group or individually-based on Flying WILD. Plan and do your project.
10. Become a trainer or coordinator.
Find out what you need to do to become a trainer, coordinator or volunteer for Flying WILD.
11. Explore ways to share Flying WILD.
Find ways to share Flying WILD with others beyond those in Step 10.
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Sites to Explore
All links are provided within the steps above.
Badge: DNR – Project WILD
Project WILD deals with conservation and environmental science through wildlife. It is designed for kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
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Steps
1. Project WILD.
www.projectwild.org/ProjectWILDK-12CurriculumandActivityGuide.htm
Project WILD deals with wildlife and habitats. Review the table of contents and other information available on the Web.
2. Project WILD Aquatic.
www.projectwild.org/ProjectWILDK-12AquaticCurriculumandActivityGuide.htm
Project WILD Aquatic deals with wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. Review the information available on the Web.
3. Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife
www.projectwild.org/ScienceandCivics.htm
Designed for high school students, this program serves as a guide for environmental action projects that benefit local wildlife. Review the information available on the Web.
4. Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children.
www.projectwild.org/GrowingUpWILD.htm
This program provides wildlife learning for young children. Review the information available on the Web.
5. Coordinators in your state.
www.projectwild.org/statesponsoringagenciesandorganizations.htm
Find coordinators for Project WILD in your state. Review other state offerings as well that go with the Project WILD program. Find out when classes are available.
6. Project WILD sponsors and partners.
www.projectwild.org/sponsors.htm
Explore sites of the sponsors and partners of Project WILD. See how Project WILD has expanded to other countries.
7. Participate in a Project WILD workshop.
The Project WILD workshops not only allow you to try sample activities, upon completion of the workshop you’ll receive the materials free of charge. Sign up and participate in a workshop for one or more projects of Project WILD.
8. Explore other Project WILD offerings.
Find other offerings available from Project WILD starting with “WILD about Elk” and “Taking Action.”
9. Incorporating Project WILD into Girl Scout activities.
www.projectwild.org/documents/GirlScoutsandProjectWILD.doc
Review the list of Girl Scout Try-Its, Badges and Interest Projects to find out how Project WILD can help girls earn insignia.
10. Incorporating Project WILD with Boy Scouts.
www.projectwild.org/documents/NCBoyScoutCorrelations-1994.pdf
Look through activities to find out how to incorporate Project WILD with Boy Scout activities.
11. Check out Project WILD in other states.
Examine offerings from other states. Compare to find out what materials are also used by other states and those specifically made for them. Are there materials you can use as well?
12. Share with youth.
Share some of the information you received in training or from your materials with youth. This can be a troop, group or even individuals. Use your materials to create a summer camp day or week to encourage kids to become more aware of environmental science.
13. Create an activity box.
Create an activity box based on the program/youth you work with to introduce adults to Project WILD. Include instructions on how the activity works and where adults can get their own materials if they are interested in learning more.
14. Service.
Project WILD works with service learning. Review the service learning resources to do more. Participate in a service project that utilizes Project WILD.
15. Become a trainer or coordinator.
Find out what you need to do to become a trainer / coordinator for Project WILD.
16. Explore ways to share Project WILD.
Find ways to share Project WILD with others beyond Step 14.
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Sites to Explore
All links are provided within the steps above.
Badge: DNR – Project WET
Project WET deals with water issues from healthy drinking water to conservation. It is designed for kids aged 5-18.
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Steps
1. DNR in your state.
Find the Web site of the Department of Natural Resources in your state. Explore the educational offerings specific to your state. Locate your state’s Project WET materials.
2. Project WET online.
Review the Project Wet site. Learn about its history, goals and how it works.
3. Project WET materials.
Some materials come free with training. Some you can purchase. Review the materials available on the Web site and store.
NOTE: Some materials in the store are free.
4. Participate in a Project WET workshop.
Project WET is a free six-hour workshop that gives educators tools to teach water resources. Upon completion of the workshop, participants receive a 516-page curriculum and activity guide at no charge. Though the workshops are designed for teachers to incorporate environmental science into their curriculum, many adults find these materials are also beneficial for working with youth groups. Review the materials you receive after the workshop and find some you would like to do.
5. Incorporating science into other subjects.
Materials in Project WET reach beyond environmental science. The concepts are designed to be used with health, language arts, history, math and more. Find ways of incorporating Project WET materials into other areas.
6. Beyond Project WET.
Explore other water science programming / educator guides also offered by the DNR. If you find any that interest you, explore those as well. Remember to look beyond “teacher” offerings. See what Project WET has to offer parents, corporations, aquariums, etc.
- WOW! Wonders of Wetlands
- Healthy Water, Healthy People
- Conserve Water
- Discover Floods
7. Check out Project WET in other states.
Examine offerings from other states. Compare to find out what materials are also used by other states and those specifically made for them. Are there materials you can use as well?
8. Incorporating Project WET with Girl Scouts.
www.uni.edu/~iowawet/G_Scout.html
Project WET has activities that work with Girl Scout badges and patches. Look through their provided lists to see what activities you can incorporate into your Girl Scout meetings / events.
9. Incorporating Project WET with Boy Scouts.
Compare the offerings of Project WET with individual merit badge books to find activities to incorporate Project WET with Boy Scout awards.
10. Share with youth.
Share some of the information you received in training or from your materials with youth. This can be a troop, group or even individuals. Use your materials to create a summer camp day or week to encourage kids to become more aware of environmental science.
11. Create an activity box.
Create an activity box based on the program/youth you work with to introduce adults to Project WET. Include instructions on how the activity works and where adults can get their own materials if they are interested in learning more.
12. Service.
Design a service project with Project WET in mind. Run it yourself or ask others to help. Ask participants to evaluate the program after it has completed and offer creative criticism to improve your service project.
13. Become a trainer / coordinator.
Find out what you need to do to become a trainer / coordinator for Project WET.
14. Explore ways to share Project WET.
Find ways to share Project WET with others beyond Step 13.
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Sites to Explore
www.butlerwebs.com/hunting/statelist.htm
www.projectwet.org
www.watereducation.org/doc.asp?id=1012
www.nationalwatercenter.org
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/poisonedwaters
