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Pennsylvania State Parks
🏫 Educator E-Blast 🏫
August 2025 Edition
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It's still scorching hot, 🔥 but school is almost here. Hopefully, the bricks in the background of this e-blast don't make you twitch.😃 Want to get some inspiration and earn Act 48 hours? Check out our upcoming PD workshops below. ⬇️
Need some ideas and help getting your school year going? We've got lots below!
Consider Greening Your Schoolyard this Year! Create a green 💚 space at your school and use it as an outdoor classroom. Check out -- https://www.greenschoolyards.org/ & https://www.out-teach.org/.
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PA State Parks Educator E-Blast Contents -
- Section 1: Back-to-School Teaching Ideas + FREE STUFF!
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Section 2: In-Person Educator PD Workshops - Act 48 hours
- Section 3: Trainings, Conferences, & Webinars for Educators
- Section 4: Explore the Outdoors! New SCORP!
- Section 5: Striving Towards Inclusion - ASL Course!
- Capstone: PA State Park Info. & Updates
| | Section 1: Back To School 🏫 Activity Ideas | | |
🏫 Make a clean start this school year by incorporating handwashing education into your curriculum.
The Project WET Foundation & EcoLab scientists have teamed up to create the Make Handwashing a Habit website with resources for teachers, parents, daycare providers, & other educators.
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🏫 STEELS Made Easier with Flip Cards!
Explore the outdoors with the Flipping Through Nature Activity Card Decks (available in English & Spanish)! Whether you're spotting flowers, composing your science journal, or observing pollinators up-close, these self-guided prompts invite students to drive their own learning, get curious, & connect with the natural world. Learn all about the Flip Cards. They are FREE to download & print. Part of the BEETLES Project by the Lawrence Hall of Science.
🏫 Nature-Inspired STEAM Activities - Great ideas! - from Run Wild My Child
🏫 Science Snacks from The Exploratorium! Did you know a cat’s 😸whisker can reveal the wave nature of light? That grapes 🍇 are a little bit magnetic? Spark curiosity & bring natural phenomena into your classroom with Science Snacks! Each Snack is teacher-tested, uses simple materials, & includes step-by-step instructions. Filter by grade level, NGSS, & topic.
🏫 Discover fascinating bird 🐦 anatomy with the FREE All About Bird Anatomy Interactive! Explore & learn about feathers 🪶, muscles, skeletons, & more! Then test what you've learned in Flashcard Mode. - from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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🏫 Check out these FREE, curated lessons from --
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🏫 Make a splash this school year by adding a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) to your existing curriculum!
The essential elements of a MWEE - Issue Definition, Outdoor Field Experiences, Synthesis & Conclusions, and Environmental Action Projects support and are woven throughout the new PA STEELS standards.
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Learn more about PA's MWEE initiatives on the MWEE page of the PA Gateway to Green website.
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Review issue highlights & EE resources about Pennsylvania Watersheds.
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See examples of exceptional EE lessons & programs.
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Complete NOAA's free, online, asynchronous MWEE 101 course (8.0 Act 48 hours available)
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Discover additional MWEE & ELS (environmental literacy & sustainability) PD opportunities on the Events page
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Attend the Dive Deeper Summit (read more about the summit in Section 3 below)
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🏫 Be a part of the 6th annual "Invasive Species🌿Scavenger Hunt" this August!
To participate, ID, & report findings of 5 pre-selected invasive ornamental plants—burning bush, Japanese spiraea, bishop's goutweed, garden loosestrife, & ravenna grass.
Learn more by watching the recorded webinar. All participants who report at least 1 presence/ absence record will be entered into a drawing to win a prize 🏆 package of outdoor gear & an invasive species field guide!
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Project WILD🦊Educator Workshop
Monday, August 25, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
In-Person at Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19114
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $15.00 /pay-what-you-can
Join Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) educators for an in-person educator workshop and receive your own copy of the award-winning Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Through hands-on, phenomena-based, and cross-cutting lessons, Project WILD activities help foster responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. This workshop is suitable for both formal & non-formal educators and is targeted towards grade levels 3-12. Questions? Contact Jordan Sanford, PGC Wildlife Outreach Coordinator, at jorrsanford@pa.gov or 717-787-4250 ext. 73337. Register NOW!
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PA Songbirds🐦Educator Workshop
Sunday, September 7, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
In-Person at Sizerville State Park, 199 E Cowley Run Rd, Emporium, PA 15834
Act 48: 4.5 hrs.
Fee: $15.00 payable in advance; pre-registration required
Earn 4.5 Act 48 hours while experiencing hands-on activities related to PA Songbirds that help develop awareness, investigative skills, curiosity, & environmental knowledge. Participants will receive the updated K-8 PA Songbirds Teacher’s Guide which features 40+ lessons, pre-made student sheets, & organizers that sort each lesson by topic & grade level. This workshop is open to all educators: schoolteachers, naturalists, homeschool parents, scout leaders, & others! Attendees will also be treated to a morning bird-banding session. Weather permitting, certified bird banders will take the group on a tour of the bird nets & band live birds that are caught on-site! Register NOW! by 9/3/25. Questions? Call Alyson Rotello, EES at 814-486-5609.
Introduction to MWEE 💦 Educator Workshop
Friday, September 19, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-Person at Little Buffalo State Park, 1579 State Park Road, Newport, PA 17074
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: FREE! pre-registration required
A Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) is a learner-centered framework that focuses on investigations into local environmental issues & leads to informed action. This workshop, intended for classroom teachers of grades K-12, will go into depth about what a MWEE is, what it may look like in your classroom, & brainstorm ideas how teachers can upgrade science lessons to make them more meaningful. Participants will also conduct a stream study & learn how to bring one to their classroom (if a stream trip isn't possible). Dive into phenomenon-based education & how journaling can help your students better observe & retain the world around them. Register NOW! by 9/12/25. Questions? Contact Mindy Wilt, EES, at mewilt@pa.gov or 717-567-9255.
PA Songbirds🐦Educator Workshop
Saturday, September 27, 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
In-Person at Lackawanna State Park, 1839 Abington Rd., N. Abington Township, PA 18414
Act 48: 5 hrs.
Fee: $15.00; pre-registration is required.
Pennsylvania Songbirds is a hands-on, interdisciplinary K-8 teachers resource & activity guide developed by DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks & Audubon Mid-Atlantic. Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge on observation & identification of songbirds, bird biology, habitat, migration, & much more! This workshop is open to classroom teachers & non-formal educators including pre-service teachers, homeschool parents, naturalists, & scout leaders. Participants will receive the updated PA Songbirds K-8 Teacher’s Guide & will have the opportunity to see a bird banding demonstration. Register NOW! by 9/19/25 Questions? Contact Tony DeSantis, EES at antdesanti@pa.gov or 570-945-7110.
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Project Learning Tree🌲+ PA Biodiversity🦌Educator Workshop
Friday, October 10, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-Person at Little Buffalo State Park, Pavilion 3, 91 Boat Launch Rd, Newport, PA 17074
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: $40.00; pre-registration required
Calling all classroom teachers, scout leaders, nature centers, & other educators! Join us for an interactive, hands-on workshop highlighting the use of two nature-based curricula through the lens of the NEW PA STEELS Standards. Each participant will receive a copy of PLT's Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide and the PA Biodiversity Activity Guide. Register now! by 9/26/25. Questions? Contact Mindy Wilt, EES at mewilt@pa.gov or 717-567-9255.
ELS Standards and Project WET💦Educator Workshop
Monday, October 13, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
In-Person at Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve, 3000 State Rt. 18, Hookstown, PA 15050
Act 48: 6.0 hrs.
Fee: $15.00; pre-registration required
Discover engaging ways to incorporate the new STEELS Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (ELS) standards into your curriculum using the new Foundations of Water Education educator guide from Project WET. Project WET is a national curriculum that strives to educate, empower, & activate students in grades K-12. This workshop will include hands-on activities, networking, and planning time. All participants will receive the Foundations of Water Education guide & access to Project WET's online resources. Open to any teacher working in PA Intermediate Unit 1. To register or learn more, contact Alyssa Moore, Curriculum Specialist at IU1, alyssa.moore@iu1.org or 724-938-3241 X 239.
Aquatic💦WILD Educator Workshop
Monday, October 13, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
In-Person at Pymatuning State Park, 2660 Williamsfield Rd., Jamestown, PA 16134
Act 48: 6 hrs.
Fee: $10.00 payable in advance; pre-registration required
Join Environmental Education Staff from Presque Isle, Pymatuning, & M.K. Goddard State Parks to dive into the Aquatic WILD Curriculum. We will be showcasing lessons for various grade levels in the guide with STEELS adaptations & offering hands-on field experiences. Activities include electroshocking fish with Mark Kirk from Allegheny College & a stream study with macroinvertebrate collection & ID in Sugar Run + fish 🐠 seining in the lake. Participants will receive Aquatic WILD Curriculum & Activity Guide + multiple fish & plant ID guides. All equipment provided. To register, contact Jared McGary at jamcgary@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 x109.
WILD About Raptors🦅Educator Workshop
Monday October 13, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
In-Person at Carbon County Envi. Edu. Center, 151 E. White Bear Dr., Summit Hill, PA 18250 (near Jim Thorpe, PA)
Act 48: 5.5 hrs.
Fee: $20.00; pre-registration required
Join CCEEC & DCNR PA State Parks Educators to discover Project WILD's Flying WILD curriculum. This workshop will cover activities on adaptation, natural history, & raptor conservation status. It will provide educators with a greater understanding of PA’s raptors, & the challenges they face in today’s world. We'll utilize Birds of Prey (Raptors) as a lens to integrate your curriculum & connect them to the new PA STEELS standards. This training is open to formal & non-formal educators. It includes a tour of the grounds will include seeing many species of live raptors as well as a live raptor presentation. Carbon County Environmental Education Center (CCEEC) is an outdoor education & wildlife rehabilitation facility. Contact CCEEC at 570-645-8597 or carbnat@ptd.net for more info. or to register.
Getting Little Feet WET💦Educator Workshop
Thursday, October 16, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
In-Person at Tyler State Park, 101 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940
Act 48: 6.5 hrs.
Fee: $25.00; pre-registration is required.
With a focus on all-things water, this award-winning, nationally recognized curriculum gives you hands-on, STEM-focused activities to use with your Pre-K - 2nd grade students. This workshop is open to all formal & non-formal preschool and early elementary educators including pre-service teachers + Head Start staff. All participants will receive the Getting Little Feet Wet Activity Guide. Questions? Contact Bonnie Tobin, EES, at btobin@pa.gov or 215-968-2021.
Aquatic💦WILD Educator Workshop
Saturday, October 18, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
In-Person at Lackawanna State Park, Park Office Classroom, 1839 Abington Rd, N. Abington Twp, PA 18414
Act 48: 4.5 hrs.
Fee: $15.00; pre-registration is required.
Aquatic WILD utilizes the successful K-12 format of the Project WILD Guide with 55 lessons that emphasize aquatic wildlife & aquatic ecology. This Professional Development Workshop will include first-hand experiences with a variety of lessons included in the guide to help you address the new PA STEELS standards through this interdisciplinary EE curriculum.
Open to classroom teachers & non-formal educators (including, but not limited to, pre-service teachers, homeschool parents, naturalists, & scout leaders), all participants will receive the Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide. Register NOW! Questions? Contact Tony DeSantis, EES at antdesanti@pa.gov or 570-945-7110.
Project WET💦Educator Workshop
Tuesday, October 22, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
In-Person at Jacobsburg EE Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth, PA 18064
Act 48: 4.5 hrs.
Fee: $25.00; pre-registration required
Project WET is a national curriculum that strives to educate, empower, & activate students in grades K-12. This professional development workshop, designed for classroom teachers & non-formal educators alike, will help you teach about water resources through hands-on, investigative, & easy-to-use activities. All participants will receive the Foundations of Water Education Educator’s Guide & access to Project WET's online resources. Register Register NOW! by 10/01/25. Questions? Contact Andy Fedor, EES, at anfedor@pa.gov or 610-746-2801.
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Section 3:
Trainings, Conferences, & Webinars for Educators
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The Dive Deeper Water Educators Summit is a biennial, multi-state environmental education conference designed for those who teach youth about water or seek engaging tools & resources to support water education. This full-day event features your choice of concurrent session presentations, dynamic exhibits, refreshments, lunch, networking opportunities, & the chance to have your home drinking water tested.
New for 2025 - the summit will include a pre-conference field study and an evening reception featuring an educational film screening + expert panel discussion. Whether you’re an educator, interpreter, or informal learning professional, the Dive Deeper Summit offers innovative, hands-on strategies to inspire the next generation of water stewards!
Learn more & Register - https:///extension.psu.edu/dive-deeper-summit
When: Thursday, September 25, 2025 8:00am-4:00pm
Where: Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center, Harrisburg, PA
Who: All formal & informal educators who teach about water.
What: Presentations, hands-on workshops, networking, & more!
Cost: $80.00 for Thursday’s conference, $25.00 for the 9/24 field day, $25 for the 9/24 evening film screening.
**FULL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE** for certified PA teachers & administrators + PA pre-service teachers who may be teaching our future K-12 workforce.
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Request for PAEE Conference Session Proposals!
The theme of this year’s PAEE conference – From History to Hope: Teaching the Environment Forward celebrates the resiliency & perseverance that we demonstrate as educators. We learn from our history, instill hope wherever we go, & move environmental literacy forward! PAEE invites presentations that incorporate experiences & activities from community events, school programs, advocacy work, staff training, & more.
Learn more & submit your proposal! -- Deadline: September 26, 2025
Learn more about the PAEE Conference.
2026 PAEE & MWEE Awards 🏆
Deadline for Nominations: December 12, 2025!
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PAEE Awards - Do you know someone who is making an impact in the field of environmental education (EE) in PA? Maybe it's a dedicated educator, a passionate student, or an organization leading the charge. Or, perhaps *you* are making a difference!
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MWEE Awards - Does your school or a partnering organization demonstrate outstanding commitment to Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs)? Recognize those who are shaping hands-on, impactful EE for students across PA!
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Section 4:
Explore the Outdoors!
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2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Plan (SCORP)
In July, members from the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) unveiled the 2025–2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), Pennsylvania’s five-year blueprint for expanding & enhancing outdoor recreation across the state. The new plan, Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces, outlines 14 goals & 55 action steps to meet the outdoor recreation needs of Pennsylvanians. With more than 6,400 local parks, 2.3 million acres of state forests & parks, and 1.5 million acres of state game lands, PA offers countless opportunities to get outside, connect with nature, and build community.
“This plan is about making a place for everyone in the outdoors in Pennsylvania,” said DCNR Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz. “Input from 1000s of Pennsylvanians — including recreation providers, outdoor enthusiasts, & the general public — was critical in shaping the exciting next phase of outdoor recreation in our state.”
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Learn American Sign Language with CorpsTHAT 🤟!
Ready to learn American Sign Language (ASL) in an inclusive and supportive environment?
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CorpsTHAT is now enrolling for our upcoming public ASL classes - perfect for beginners, intermediate, & advanced. Taught by Deaf instructors & rooted in Deaf culture, classes go beyond vocabulary to build real communication. Spots are limited!
👉 Register for public courses! Or, Set up a group course.
What they offer:
- Small, interactive online classes
- Beginner to advanced levels:
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ASL 1.0 M/W 5 pm EST
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ASL 1.0 T/Th 6 pm PST
- ASL 2.0 T/Th 7 pm EST
- ASL 3.0 M/W 7 pm EST
- Deaf-led instruction & immersive learning
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PA State Parks are YOURS!
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Book your virtual, in-person programs, and field experiences with PA State Park Educators! Find a PA State Park. Need help connecting to a PA State Park with an Educator on staff? Reach out to Carissa Longo at calongo@pa.gov.
DCNR facilities and Programs are OPEN to ALL👐
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Many Environmental Education programs require pre-registration. Explore the DCNR events calendar for details & to register.
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Plan your outing before you leave. Learn about facilities, download a park map on your phone or print it, & review regulations here: Find A Park
- Take care of & respect the resource. Park, hike, hunt, explore, & more only in designated areas.
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Check the weather before you depart, wear proper footwear, & bring water. Wear orange if hiking in designated hunting areas. Please clean up after pets 🐕.
- Do not litter 🚮.
- Alcohol is not allowed in PA State Parks.
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Make a Reservation (up to 11-months in advance) at a PA State Park Campground, Camping Cottage, Cabin, Yurt, or Pavilion.
You can help keep state parks safe for all by following these practices:
- Use the restroom before you leave your house 🏡 Take hand sanitizer with you & use it
- LNT! Bring a bag & either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly
- If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, stay home
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🍂 It's Almost Sweater Weather! 🍂
Carissa Longo, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating Project WILD & Pennsylvania Songbirds Curricula for all of PA)
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Christine Ticehurst, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating PLT & DCNR's GO Teach Curricula for PA State Parks)
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Kim Lott, Natural Resource Program Specialist
(Coordinating DCNR's Watershed Education, PA Land Choices, & Project WET curricula for PA State Parks)
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