Monday, August 31, 2015

Place Based Education Certificate Program at UC Denver

Hello Environmental Education Community,

The University of Colorado Denver is offering a new certificate program for Place-based Education

What:  Place-based Education Certificate

Who: Educators in formal and informal settings

Why:  A place-based education validates different ways of knowing the world, and recognizes that the subjectivities associated with sense of place are a source of strength rather than a hindrance to student learning. A culturally responsive pedagogy requires educators to engage in place-based education, where place becomes the context for inclusive curriculum and instruction.

Structure: The certificate program is designed as a three‐course sequence totaling 9 credit hours, and may be earned in one year.

Format: Students will take their courses in sequence, starting with an online foundations course, followed by an experiential course and ending with a capstone course.

For more information, see the attached flyer or visithttp://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/SchoolOfEducation/Academics/CPE/Learn/Certificates/Pages/Place-based-Education-Certificate.aspx

Friday, August 28, 2015

2016-2017 applications are now being accepted for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship



The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 Fellowship Year!
The AEF Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office, bringing their extensive classroom knowledge and experience to STEM education program and/or education policy efforts.
Program applications are due November 19, 2015, 8:00pm EST, and must be submitted through an online application system.
To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be a current employed full-time in a U.S. public or private elementary or secondary school or school district, and must have taught full-time in a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least five of the last seven years in a STEM discipline.
Current sponsoring agencies include, but may not be limited to, the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The DOE also sponsors up to four placements in U.S. Congressional offices.
The AEF Program is managed by the DOE Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.
Information about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, including eligibility requirements, program benefits, application requirements, and access to the online application system can be found athttp://science.energy.gov/wdts/einstein/.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Golden Triangle Educator Block Party. It's Free!


Golden Triangle Educator Block Party

Thursday, September 10,  69 pm
Enjoy free admission to the Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and History Colorado Center and learn about the rich educational offerings available at each. If you haven't seen the large map of Colorado at the History Colorado Center, this is your chance! 
Online registration is required. Please RSVP to the Denver Art Museum by September 7th.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Job Opening for Full-time Environmental Education Program Director at Cal-Wood Education Center

CAL-WOOD EDUCATION CENTER
JOB OPENING – Full-time Environmental Education PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Cal-Wood is a non-profit organization located 15 miles northwest of Boulder Colorado in the beautiful Colorado Rockies.  Our private 1,200 acre classroom has provided schools with award-winning residential/science-based education programs for the past 33 years. Students along Colorado’s Front Range, and beyond, spend three-days/two-nights at Cal-Wood studying local plants, animals, weather patterns, forestry, pioneer life, geology, pond ecology, and more.  Instruction is tailored to each school’s academic needs. Students learn about Cal-Wood’s forest management, including fire mitigation, water conservation, and alternative energy.  Our professional instructors also make a point of introducing students to the possibility of pursuing careers in science and natural resources management. In addition, Cal-Wood is a pioneer in customizing environmental education programs for linguistically diverse students. We are now looking to expand our facilities and be able to serve more school groups to keep up with our demand. We are seeking for a professional Program Director to help us achieve our goals.

Learn more about the job description and qualifications here.
Salary: Very competitive. Benefits: ½ of health insurance paid, dental discount program, vacation, sick leave, and some meals on site.
Starting Date: Fall 2015. Applications accepted until the position is filled
Application Process: 
To apply please e-mail cover letter and resume to infoatcalwood.org. Any questions concerning the position may be e-mailed to infoatcalwood.org. Please check our website for more information about Cal-Wood: www.calwood.org.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Opportunity to Share Water Resource Data with other States!


Fifth grade classes near Albuquerque, New Mexico, are looking for partners to exchange information about rivers and their watersheds!

RiverXchange is a FREE year-long program focused on communication between classes around the world about water resources issues. Hands-on lessons can be used for reference, to enhance existing curriculum, or as a complete program that explores rivers, watersheds, stormwater, municipal water supplies, ecology, and conservation.

Students communicate 4 times throughout the school year on a private website. They provide training and support to ensure a successful experience. Through writing and creative sharing about rivers, we integrate science with language arts, social studies, and 21st-Century learning skills, all correlated to Common Core Language Arts Standards!

Check out our public website, www.RiverXchange.com, for more information and to access the registration form.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Teacher Professional Development Workshop People, Water and Land: Exploring Environmental Topics in Colorado History

Still a few places left! Register today!
Teacher Professional Development Workshop
People, Water and Land: 
Exploring Environmental Topics in Colorado History

 Saturday, August 22 8:30-4:30
History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
Looking for new ways to teach about Colorado history, Colorado ecosystems, and how people interact with their environment?

Join History Colorado and other partners for an interactive, hands-on workshop focused on topics in Colorado history that explore the interaction of humans and the environment. We’ll explore examples that are interdisciplinary and connect to science, social studies, and other content areas, and sample lesson plans that are appropriate for elementary, middle school and high school classrooms.

 

Educator participants will receive:
· a $75 stipend

· Handouts

· Lunch

· the option of completing the course for .5 hrs CE credit.

 
 
For more information contact liz.cook@state.co.us

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Colorado Council for Economic Education Fall Classes

No fee for the Colorado Council for Economic Education's fall classes!

Explore economics and personal finance, change in East Africa, petroleum, and entrepreneurship.  Economics is inevitably geographic, and COGA encourages teachers to learn about a variety of aspects of our community and the world. 

Find out more here.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Utilize the Outdoors to Teach Your Class!



Do you have an outdoor classroom and/or garden?
Do you want to learn how using the outdoors
enhances student learning?

Then this class is for you! Join retired teacher and author John Paull, Denver Urban Gardens, and other partners to learn about the importance of place-based education, receive hands-on activities, and get inspired to take kids’ learning outside!

.5 credit is available through Colorado School of Mines. 

Cost is $30/participant. For more information or to register, please contact Mary McCormac,mary.mccormac@state.co.us or 303-291-7328

Colorado Association for Recycling Food Waste Event

The Alphabet Soup of School Food Waste
An event of the Colorado Association for Recycling’s Education and Outreach Committee

Meet other sustainability leaders and recyclers from school districts, large facilities, higher education campuses and the private sector in Colorado to discuss best practices for managing food waste in places of learning. The format will have an opening presentation followed by moderated break-out tables to learn about:
  • The ABCs of a successful school/campus waste audit
  • FYI on school gardens and composting
  • Today’s Menu: Sourcing local food, nutrition guidelines and safe handling
  • 3Rs meets sustainable purchasing—What to buy and how to buy it
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
8:30am—1:00pm Lunch provided!
Heritage Elementary School
3350 Summit View Parkway
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

REGISTRATION COMING SOON! www.cafr.org
Questions? Contact LeeAnn Westfall, CAFR Board Member/Douglas County Schools, leeann.westfall@dcsdk12.org

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education Awards

New Categories for CAEE Awards for Excellence
in Environmental Education

Nominations Due September 14, 2015 

Each year the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes and honors individuals, organizations and schools throughout Colorado for their innovation and dedication to moving the field of environmental education forward.

This year we have new award categories and look forward to seeing your nominations. We appreciate your support in sharing the award nominations with your colleagues and networks!  Click here for more information on awards.
  • Advancing Environmental Literacy Award
  • Enos A. Mills Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Innovative Environmental Education Program Award (formal and non-formal programs)
  • Outstanding Environmental Educator Award (formal, non-formal and volunteer educators)
  • Outstanding Retiring Educator Recognition
  • Outstanding Youth Environmental Leadership Award (ages 14-23)

Other CAEE Announcements

August 26, 1:00-2:30pm Big Money for Small Groups Fundraising Webinar

Due September 11- Certification for Environmental Educators

September 17-CAEE Fundraising Happy Hour at the Alliance Center
More information coming soon

Due October 1- Nominations for CAEE Board Members

October 6 in Carbondale-Western Slope Summit-Catalyzing the EE Network 
 
Sign up for CAEE's Listserve- Notices on EE resources, jobs, grants, & events

CAIRN Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Youth, share this with your students

What is the Cairn Youth Program?  
The Cairn Youth Program is Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s (VOC) award-winning high school program that teaches kids about stewardship and the environment through engaging projects and recreation activities, which take place with partner organizations such as Colorado State Parks, Jefferson County Outdoor Lab, and Flying W Ranch. Dedicated adult mentors help guide Cairn members through each project, and help members hone their leadership skills. The program culminates in students planning and leading their own stewardship project for volunteers!
What are some benefits of Cairn?
·        Fulfill required community service hours for school, while being outdoors
·        Earn letters of recommendation
·        Build your college résumé
·        Gain leadership skills
·        Learn about careers in natural resources
·        Help care for and protect the environment while honing stewardship skills
Requirements:
·        14-18 years old
·        Must commit to once–per–month Cairn activities (September–April)
·        A strong interest in protecting Colorado’s resources and the environment
APPLY NOW > > Head online to voc.org/cairn and fill out the short application. Email VOC’s Youth & Families Coordinator, Allison Bell, at allison@voc.org with any questions!
There is a $100 program fee, but scholarships are available with a statement of need.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Free Access to NCGE Journals in honor of 100 years of education

Celebrate 100 years of the National Council for Geographic Education with FREE ACCESS to content from Routledge! 

Find articles and collections here!  These are great resources you can use for your classes or other purposes.

Great Opportunity for Teachers! Apply for $1000 Grants!


Did you know that Project Learning Tree offers $1000  grants to teachers for student projects?
 
Did you know that only PLT-certified educators may apply for these grants?
 
Don’t panic- there is still time to become certified by the grant application deadline of Sept 30.
 
Did you know that we have new ONLINE WORKSHOPS (5 hours) that provide this training for those too far away or time challenged to attend a face-to-face training?
 

Green Ribbon Award Applications

Just wanted to let you know that the Green Ribbon schools applications for Colorado are out for 2016. This includes pre K-12, K-12 schools, AND higher education institutions. This is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Look at the Application links below for more information and to apply!

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Professional Research Assistant Job Posting

E&ER is looking for a professional research assistant (PRA).   This is typically a bachelors or masters-qualified position in the research faculty track.  We'd appreciate your sharing this with well-qualified candidates in your networks.   
The PRA will assist with several research and evaluation projects. The work emphasizes gathering, analyzing, and reporting of quantitative social science data from varied sources such as surveys, classroom observation, and online databases. Some projects will also require qualitative data analysis from interviews, observations, field notes, or surveys. The position is 100% grant-funded. Initial projects will focus on classroom observation and other methods for describing teaching in college mathematics, and evaluation of research-based courses in undergraduate science.
Ethnography & Evaluation Research (E&ER) specializes in research and evaluation studies of education and career paths in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The research unit is 100% grant-funded. For more details about our work, visit http://www.colorado.edu/eer.
All applications must be submitted through the Jobs at CU website.  For more details and to submit an application, please visit https://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/103747.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Job Opportunity with Eco-Cycle

Environmental Educator Needed by Eco-Cycle’s School Recycling and
Environmental Education Program
Eco-Cycle, administrator of the award-winning Boulder County School Recycling and Environmental Education Program, is seeking an environmental educator for presentations on a wide variety of environmental topics in K-12th grade classrooms. (A full description of the program is available on Eco-Cycle’s website at http://ecocycle.org/aboutus/jobs) The currently available opening is for a full time educator, with benefits. Send resume and cover letter by August 21st to: Eco-Cycle School Program, PO Box 19006, Boulder, CO 80308 or via e-mail to cyndra@ecocycle.org.
Job Responsibilities -
1.      presentations on a wide variety of environmental topics for K-12th grade students using classroom, field  trip and assembly formats
            2.  assist with:
                a. phone surveys, web research and mailings
                b. preparation of fliers, reports, letters, etc.
                c. monitoring school progress in collection of recyclables and compostables
                d. tabling, lunchroom monitoring and other outreach for Green Star (Zero Waste) Schools 
                 e. other special projects
            3.  miscellaneous duties such as purchasing supplies, delivering materials to schools,                                             maintenance and cleaning of program equipment
            4.  help sort and deliver books for the Children’s Used Book Project
Qualifications -
            1.  dedication to environmental work
            2.  experience teaching in a classroom setting
            3.  love of working with children, including a wide range of ages
            4.  writing and computer skills
            5.  ability to organize time well and be flexible with changing tasks
            6.  reliable vehicle to provide own transport to schools (mileage paid)
            7.  enjoy wearing costumes, including an elf and a superhero
           
Working Conditions and Benefits -
1.       full-time position with full benefits
2.       leave without pay, June through August, annually
3.       mileage reimbursement for use of own car
4.       all program preparation and driving time is included as part of paid hours
5.       job requires lifting loads up to 50 pounds, carrying materials up and down stairs, transferring materials in and out of a car or other vehicle