Environmental Institute for Teachers

"Achieving Excellence in Environmental Education"
July 12-17, 1999
Alta, Utah

HIGHLIGHTS

• Development of skills and techniques to teach about the environment
• Week-long workshop in a mountain setting with peers
• Introduction to materials and information
• Increased environmental awareness
• Paid lodging, meals, stipends and limited travel scholarships available
• In-service credits available

WHO CAN ATTEND

Teachers of grades 7-12 in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, who are interested in environmental education and are willing to integrate environmental studies into existing curricula.

HOSTS

U.S. Environmental Protection Avency - Region 8, Utah Society for Environmental Education, and supported by Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Pauline Afshar
U.S. EPA Region 8 (8P-W-MS)
Environmental Institute for Teachers
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2466

303-312-6267 or 1-800-227-8917 X6267
Fax 303-312-6131

E-mail: afshar.pauline@epa.gov

HOW TO APPLY

Application deadline is March 26, 1999. Those interested in attending must submit an application (available from the above address) and a one page narrative addressing the following items:

• Why are you interested in the Institute?
• Each participant will complete an environmental project as part of the program activities. What are some of your local environmental issues? Explain how you could address them with your students.
• Your principal must sign your narrative to indicate support for attendance at the Institute and the integration of your environmental project in the classroom.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE

The theme of the 1999 Environmental Institute for Teachers, "Achieving Excellence in Environmental Education," will showcase quality EE practices and demonstrate how EE meets state and national education reform goals.

This week-long workshop, designed by teachers for teachers, will provide participants with opportunities to learn about the best materials and techniques available for teaching about the environment.

Set in the spectacular mountain town of Alta, Utah (just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City's airport), the Teacher Institute will provide an exciting opportunity for teachers to network with one another and explore methods of integrating environmental education into the curriculum.

Participants of the Institute will:

• Learn good educational process
• Strengthen teaching skills
• Receive curriculum and ideas
• Participate in hands-on, active learning
• Network with other EE professionals, and
• Apply university credit toward professional development needs.

CURRICULUM

As a participant in the Institute, you will develop skills inherent to being an effective environmental educator. These skills include: facilitating discussions, developing techniques for student-based investigations and encouraging the development of critical-thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. Participants will learn about national environmental education efforts like the "Guidelines for Excellence Project." You will also be exposed to issues concerning Superfund and sustainability.

The purpose of the Institute is to develop participants' abilities and motivation to use environmental education with their students. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a project in your school or community which will increase environmental awareness and includes some type of action component (it's not enough to understand the issues; individuals must become active in finding solutions). Your students are the future caretakers of the Earth; we hope to provide you with some tools to help them become wise stewards.

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