Education Opportunities
[ S.C. Sea Grant Consortium - May 8, 2020 ]
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, South Carolina Educators!
As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers," and no one is happier to see those flowers than the caterpillars and butterflies native to South Carolina. The long-tailed skipper moth seen here spends its time as a caterpillar munching on wisteria and other legumes before hiding itself in a cocoon for one to three weeks. During that time, the caterpillar is hard at work metamorphosing into the beautiful, blue-toned moth that emerges. As we begin to emerge from our state of quarantine, we may find ourselves, like the long-tailed skipper moth, changed in the ways we experience the world around us, including the world of education. While we're still in our quarantine cocoons, enjoy these opportunities from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and its partners!
Deadline Approaching
2020-2022 Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) Informational Webinar
Date Change: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 5-5:30 PM

Interested in becoming part of the state's first and only environmental education certification program for formal and nonformal educators? Join us on May 12 from 5-5:30 PM for a free informational webinar about the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) program. During this interactive webinar, you'll learn about program requirements, available scholarship opportunities, and see highlights from the current PEEC class. To register, visit the PEEC website or go directly to the registration link . For any questions regarding the program, please contact EV Bell .
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Seeking Applications for Public Information Coordinator/Science Writer
Application Deadline: May 15, 2020

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium has an opening for a Public Information Coordinator/Science Writer to be based in Charleston, S.C. within the Communication and Education Services department. Details about the position and how to apply are available on the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium website . Review of applications will begin on May 15, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. We would greatly appreciate you sharing this link with qualified candidates who you think might be interested. Also, please feel free to post on appropriate list-servs and other communication vehicles.
Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District Hiring Community Relations Coordinator
Application Deadline: May 15, 2020

The Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District is now hiring for a Community Relations Coordinator. The position implements
K-12 educational programming, helps with stormwater education, and spearheads the seed library program. For more information and to apply for this position, please visit the Greenville county website .
Learning Resources of the Week
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Educator Help Line - Ocean Photosynthesis
Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 4 PM

In order to support teachers and parents engaging in at-home instruction, the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium educators will be hosting a weekly live video chat on our Facebook page each Thursday at 4 PM for the remainder of the school year. Make sure to follow the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium page so you don't miss a session!

Marine organisms produce over half of the air that land animals currently need to breathe. But how can you illustrate this worldwide phenomenon to your students? Tune in at 4 PM on Thursday, May 14 to watch next week's Educator Help Line in which S.C. Sea Grant educators will be demonstrating at-home STEM activities related to Ocean Literacy Principle 4, "The ocean made Earth habitable."
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Ocean Literacy Writing Prompts

In conjunction with the weekly Educator Help Line sessions, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium has also created a 10-week set of science journal prompts that are aligned with Ocean Literacy Principles . This week's writing prompt is associated with Ocean Literacy Principle #4 and tasks elementary , middle , and high school students with considering the basic needs of living things in the ocean. The full 10-week set of prompts is available for download on the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's education website .
Mobile-Friendly NOAA Educational Resources

With recent events, teaching students science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines has become even more of a challenge, especially for the children who need it most. Compiled by NOAA Satellites, this list of NOAA's mobile-friendly STEM educational resources will help fill the gap. Topics include chemistry, Earth science, oceanography, and more!
Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) Network Resources

Missing your favorite aquariums? Don't worry! NOAA's CELC Network has put together a list of fun virtual activities for all ages to enjoy at home. Whether it's watching how to train sea lions, getting a virtual tour of exciting research labs and exhibits, or watching penguins take their afternoon wobble through their home, you'll find something educational to enjoy.
Professional Development Updates
Call for Nominations: Jerry L. Shrum PLT Outstanding Educator of the Year
Submissions due: June 15, 2020

Do you know someone that uses Project Learning Tree in a creative and innovative way? S.C. Project Learning Tree is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Jerry L. Shrum PLT Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. The recipient of the award will receive benefits including a cash prize, statewide recognition, attendance to the Forestry Association of South Carolina's annual conference, an all-expenses paid opportunity to attend the S.C. Teachers' Tour in June 2021 or 2022, and a chance to participate in the National PLT Educator of the Year Award. The nomination form can be found online , and submissions are due by June 15, 2020.
EEASC/SEEA 2020 Conference
September 24-26, 2020

In 2020, in lieu of its annual summer conference, the Environmental Educators Association of South Carolina (EEASC) will host the Southeast Environmental Education Alliance’s regional conference in Columbia, S.C., September 24-26 at EdVenture and the South Carolina State Museum. The theme is "Environmental Legacy: It's Our Story. Past, Present, and Future." For general conference information and updates, please visit the EEASC website . Questions can be emailed to Amy Umberger .
Weekly Ray of Sunshine
Teacher Appreciation Week!
I n recent memory, there is no time in which our educators were more deserving of recognition and appreciation than the past few months. The coronavirus pandemic has stretched all of us to the limits, and teachers all over the world have risen to the challenge. The dedication of S.C. teachers is nothing new, but now, parents are likely much more aware of their daily hard work.

To show appreciation for educators this week, many national retailers are providing discounts and free items to formal educators. The list includes both Michael's and Joann Fabrics, so you can stock up on both classroom supplies as well as personal quarantine crafting projects!

Thank you for everything that you do for South Carolina's students. You are helping to make our future a better, brighter place, and we truly value you for it.
Be Featured in Next Week's Ray of Sunshine!

Each week, we would like to highlight the innovative, creative, and heartwarming things that you are doing to make learning happen for your students. Whether you're having virtual dance parties, doing show-and-tell through Zoom, or just have a funny story to tell, we'd love to share some good news. If you would like to be featured in our weekly Ray of Sunshine section, please send your stories, pictures, or videos to Kristen Goehring ! Please be aware that by sharing these with us, you consent to the content potentially being included in future S.C. Sea Grant Consortium communications.
Have Something to Include?
Have an opportunity or resource that you would like to add to the next S.C. Sea Grant Education email update?
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Join hundreds of South Carolina educators like you! The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium sends out weekly marine science and coastal education updates with opportunities and resources.