Classroom Resources

Free resource for grades K-2 from AK Project Learning Tree

The American Bird Conservancy and Project Learning Tree teamed up to create Together For Birds, a downloadable activity collection for students in grades K-2 (with variations for grades 3-5). This resource invites students to investigate ways that birds and other living things depend on their habitat to live. Contact Alaska Project Learning Tree for this special, free offer! alaskaplt.molly(at)gmail.com

Classroom Power Pledge Challenge

Grades 4-12

The 12th annual Power Pledge Challenge (PPC) runs from August to November 2024. Participating classes have the opportunity to complete monthly and semester-long challenges related to energy efficiency and conservation such as pledging to reduce their energy use, completing a community energy profile, and creating an energy public service announcement. Educators have access to the free AK EnergySmart curriculum. 

Read more and sign up by September 15th at the link below.

Science Stars!

Celebrating Science by Students and Educators

Photo: Saantas' Lani Hotch speaking with teachers Darwin Feakes and Denise Sherman behind

Teachers from Klukwan, Skagway, and Haines joined the Takshanuk Watershed Council, local Tlingit people, and Project Learning Tree for a field day along the Chilkat River to kick off the school year. Teachers spent the day learning about local history, culture, geography, science, as well as sampling locally harvested plants and fish. The teachers reflected on ways to integrate more place-based ideas in their classroom.

Photo: G̱uneiwtí Marsha Hotch, Tracy Wirak of TWC and Molly Gillespie of PLT.

Solar Explorer, A lesson on solar power for grades 6-12

Alaska EnergySmart has just published a new lesson on solar energy. In the "Solar Explorer" activity students use a multimeter to explore how a solar panel works in different lighting conditions. This lesson is aligned with NGSS and Alaska content standards.