(COOPERSTOWN) – Teachers in the New York portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have two opportunities to learn how to integrate watershed studies into their classroom this summer through a special professional development opportunity offered by the Otsego County Conservation Association. The Watershed Education Institute training will take place at the Pine Lake Environmental Campus, and there will be two sessions available: July 10-12, and July 14-16.
“The Watershed Education Institute will provide teachers with knowledge and skills needed to implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) into their classrooms,” said Amy Wyant, OCCA’s executive director. “MWEEs provide teachers a framework for studying issues in their local watershed.”
Teachers can either stay at Pine Lake or commute and will participate in activities that will give them a full understanding of the structure of MWEEs and how MWEEs support learning standards; will provide them with field and classroom activities that can be used in MWEEs; and will have independent time to plan a MWEE for their students. The program is free and is funded through a cooperative funding agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Bay Watershed Education and Training program (B-WET). Teachers will receive support materials, lesson plans, and other resources, and will also have the opportunity to participate in an optional Project WET training on July 13. Preference is given to teachers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. CTLE credits are available.
For more information or to apply, visit occainfo.org/bwet, or call OCCA at (607) 547-4488. Registration closes on May 19th.
Founded in 1968, the Otsego County Conservation Association Inc. is a private, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and sustainable use of Otsego County’s natural resources through research, education, advocacy, planning and resource management and practice.
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