Sign up with a teaching partner or team (or on your own) to learn how to cultivate a deeper connection between students and the natural world while instilling values of environmental respect and stewardship. Explore the integration of literacy and social studies into your science curriculum and outdoor experiences.

In this course, teachers will learn how to intentionally connect students, families, and community knowledge and practices to scientific concepts; making these connections visible is critical for effective and equitable science learning experiences. Together, teachers will delve into strategies that encourage students to see themselves as active participants in the natural world, fostering empathy and a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Educators will learn how to shift students’ perspectives from being apart from nature to being an integral part of it. Teachers will learn how to facilitate wondering conversations that support student curiosity and sensemaking. Participants from eligible schools will have the opportunity to create a grant proposal for the OSPI Outdoor Learning Grant Program.

This hybrid course provides an opportunity to earn Equity and STEM clock hours by engaging with peers in synchronous Zoom sessions and by exploring resources on Canvas (asynchronous work). Between the launch and conclusion of the course, participants are encouraged to attend weekly Teacher Cafes to engage with peers and discuss wonderings, curriculum integration, and implementation strategies. 

Schedule of events for this 5-week course:

• April 25 - May 6: Pre-work (Canvas)

• May 6, 4:15-5:15: Course Launch (Zoom)

• May 7- May 27: Asynchronous work (Canvas)

• May 13, 4:15-5:15: Teacher Cafe* (Zoom)

• May 20, 4:15-5:15: Teacher Cafe* (Zoom)

• May 27, 4:15-5:15 Closing (Zoom)

Earn a $100 stipend for active course participation and completion.  

*Teacher Cafes are opportunities to interact with colleagues to discuss course content, integration, connections to current science curriculum, and implementation ideas. 

Teachers are encouraged to sign up with a partner or team to maximize impact of the course and to plan experiences around a shared science curriculum. 

Funding provided by the Washington State Legislature through the ClimeTime Proviso and is available to Washington State teachers only.