In this video, learn an approach that allows for more respectful and equitable discussion, one that provides a structure for people to share and deepen their understanding of each other’s ideas and perspectives using a Talking Dyad Stick.
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. “You’ll branch out and leaf a better educator!”
PLT also provides professional development training for educators.
Here’s a nice list of formative assessment ideas we found online from Levy County School District in Florida. Teachers can use these approaches to check for student understanding and PD providers can use these with teachers to check for their understanding and also model how to implement these assessments.
For more on this, be sure to check out Page Keeley’s book, 75 Science Formative Assessments on her website, Uncovering Student Ideas. She has templates you can adapt for different types of assessments, plus a host of other resources.
BEETLES stands for “Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing” and is based at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley. The site focuses on experiential learning approaches, primarily for field instructors and outdoor education, but also for classroom educators as well. You’ll find lessons and associated video segments that demonstrate the lessons that center. The lessons are centered around beetles as a science topic for discovery. Also note the great questioning strategies the facilitators use to foster deeper discussion.
Natural Start Alliance focuses on nature play-based learning, providing research and resources for parents and teachers. You can find organizations including nature centers, nature preschools, advocacy groups, and state level organizations that support nature-centered early childhood education.
NREL(National Renewable Energy Lab) provides a variety of educational resources to help students, teachers, and parents educate their kids about renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, including hands-on projects and curriculum suggestions for elementary school, middle school, and high school students as well as teachers.
Physics Front has reviewed and catalogued quality resources for K-12 teaching. This collection focuses on resources, lesson plans, activities, and websites in support of teaching concepts related to energy and other topics in physics.
STEM-Works provides resources in STEM learning and career opportunities. The site focuses on specific topics in STEM including a section on Wind Energy
Inside Energy makes energy and energy policy accessible and meaningful through engaging articles and multimedia resources. The articles are written by journalists and data specialists with storylines that provoke discussion and further investigation suitable for the classroom or for your own personal interest. Inside Energy is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Learners use playdough to create imaginative electrical circuits. Great for a quick activity station or a long lesson.
Courtesy of: The Exploratorium and Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
The Energy