Youth Education

There are a variety of environmental education programs out there that focus on using natural resources to educate our youth.  Here we will highlight some of those programs that you can access and use.

 

Project Learning Trees's New Theme Based Series for Educators: Discover Your Urban Forest

The environmental education program Project Learning Tree (PLT) is launching a new theme based set of resources for educators.  The first in the series is 'Discover Your Urban Forest'.  It features three brand new PLT activities for educators of students in grades 6-8 that invite learners to explore their urban environment and investigate environmental issues that affect their urban community.  Want to know more?  Access the new activities here.

 

Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District's Online Resources for Environmental Education

Linda Pettit with Franklin Co. SWCD put this list of resources together in the hopes of making the lives of teachers and non-traditional educators easier as they pursue the conversion from in-person teaching to a virtual platform. There are some great resources on this list!

 

 

BeLEAF It or Not! 

BeLEAF It or Not! is a YouTube channel hosted by Bill Cook and Georgia Peterson with Michigan State University Extension. They are just 2 run-of-the-mill, slightly addled yet well-intended foresters who love sharing their love of the forest with young learners! Join Bill and Georgia as they uncover the hidden mysteries of Michigan Forests! The series is intended for students in grades four through seven, but all audience are welcome. Are you a teacher? Check out these additional resources in the Michigan Forests Forever Teacher's Guide

 
Dandelion Detectives

The Gardiner lab has developed a youth- focused citizen science project, called Dandelion Detectives. The project aims measure the value of lawn weeds for bees and other insects by having school age kids (targeting 3-7th graders) monitor an “Observation Dandelion” and collect data about the richness of blooming weeds (or lack thereof) found in their yard. They are seeking individuals, school groups, and other youth organizations to participate in this collaborative project.  Dandelion Detectives will take place over the summer of 2020 and is open to anyone who has access to a yard. For more information or to sign up, click the link above or the dandelion picture. 

 
Environmental Protection Agency EARTH DAY Activities

The Environment Protection Agency has complied a list of remote learning activities and resources for youth learning from home. From information on recycling to endangered species, clean air to how birds fly, invasives species, and even a LORAX activity - this list cover a wide range of topics. Be sure to check out the last link, which allows kids to learn about the air, water, and land in their own neighborhood. Happy Earth Day! 

 
Project Learning Tree (PLT)

Project Learning Tree is an international environmental education program of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).   Project Learning Tree uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students’ understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. Since 1976, PLT has reached 138 million students and trained 765,000 educators to help students learn how to think, not what to think about complex environmental issues. In Ohio, Project Learning Tree is sponsored by the ODNR Division of Forestry.  Check out the video Project Learning Tree - A Natural Fit for Educators by clicking on the PLT logo.    Looking for activities the family can do while staying home?  Here are some free activities you can use.

For the month of April PLT is also offering access to it's online material and e-units at 50% off.  Click here to access the units.