Trillium
Education and Outreach Newsletter
November/December 2020

CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
State Parks & Public Outreach
Special Programs for Students
Bringing guest speakers to your classrooms and homes.
Dinosaur State Park is offering live virtual programming for the 2020/2021 school year! Each of the virtual programs provides a dynamic and interactive format with staff at multiple locations throughout the Park! Students and educators have the opportunity to make observations and ask questions throughout the 30-minute program. 

Topics available:
  • Connecticut's Geologic History
  • Connecticut's Ancient Climate
  • Dinosaurs of Connecticut

For details visit the webpage and for more information contact







The Kellogg Environmental Center has adapted educational programs for the virtual classroom. Presentation time ranges from 30-60 minutes based on your needs and are interactive. Supporting materials to help extend explorations from the classroom to the outdoors during the presentation or for follow up are included.

Topics available include:
  • My Ecological Footprints
  • 10 Minutes to Save the Planet
  • Have to Have a Habitat
  • Recycle Right

To request a program please use this link. Questions can be sent to susan.quincy@ct.gov
Zoom to the Classroom
Bring Guest Speakers to your students with free zoom presentations. Register your classroom to meet and attend live presentations from around the state. Password protected links are provided prior to the presentations for you and your students. Programs feature careers and activities that support curriculum, science, and the outdoors.

Fill the Bill
December 9, 2020 11:00 am
Grade level 3-8
Exploration of structure/function of bird beaks for survival.

What's for Dinner
December 15, 2020 11:00 am
Grade level 2-5
Behind the scenes with zoo keepers. Visit the kitchens and commissary of the zoo to see how nutritional needs of animals are met.
Wildlife, History, and Science Webinars for you and your student's families.
Many programs are offered year round by DEEP offices during evening and weekend times. To learn about them and other opportunities, we encourage you to review the DEEP calendar of events.

Upcoming topics include:
  • Riverside Reptiles
  • Finding Gravestones
  • Black Walnuts and More
  • Turkeys in CT
  • Bird in Hand
  • American Chestnut
  • Feeder Chats
  • Bald Eagles
Professional Development
Click on graphics or registration link to go to registration pages.
All formal and non-formal educators, home schoolers, teachers, youth group leaders, and more are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Backyard Exploration Series
Elementary Level
·        November 10, 3:00 pm - Fruits, Seeds and Nuts
·        December 8, 3:00 pm - Leaf Thermometers

Engage students in explorations at home and school. Each session provides educators with details on the topic and walks you through the resources, information background and ways to access materials for use throughout the year. Register for all or individual webinars. All materials are available and adaptable for grade level needs. Past sessions can be found on our website
Climate Change and Connecticut's Forests:
A Webinar for Secondary Education Level
Friday, November 6, 2020 - 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
This webinar is designed for middle/high school teachers and non-formal educators who want to consider the role of forests in their climate change curriculum. Using nationally recognized, NGSS-aligned activities from Project Learning Tree, as well as local experts and guides, we will learn about current climate issues and how they affect Connecticut forests. We will also discuss the role of forests in mitigating climate change. Teachers will be provided with a free PLT curriculum with hands-on lessons and ideas that will help them teach their students about forests while staying aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Register at THIS LINK. 

Water in our World
Participate in free, hands on webinars that focus on specific activities to support learning in the classroom. If you have the Project WET resource guide, we encourage you to use the book as we demonstrate the materials and how to apply them for distance and in classroom education. If
you do not have a guide, we can help you
get one.

Virtual Water
November 11, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm- Water is in all things we use and consume. This indirect water is often overlooked when we think about recycling and conservation. Get ready for America Recycles Day November 15 with this ready to use lesson. Take a look at resource conservation by understanding impacts of our choices.

Water Quality, Ask the Bugs
December 9, 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm- Engage students in simulations of bio-assessments and introduce them to water quality measurements in the classroom and outdoors. Application for indoor winter lesson and when a trip to the water is not possible.
 
‌
Digital Learning and Education Resources
Educational Lesson Plans and Resources

CARE (Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education) DEEP CARE has gone electronic. Learn about the ways to bring fishing to your students. The CARE program web page has a variety of learn to fish resources available:

Dinosaur State Park offers a virtual tour series and video presentations on exploring their collection of fossils. Using the Family and Youth page you can review a collection of resources available to you and students.
Hammonasset State Park hosts Facebook Live presentations daily from the park and surrounding areas. Archived sessions and new presentations are hosted on Meigs Point Nature Center Facebook Live, and the programs are archived on the meigspointnaturecenter.org web site and Meigs Point Nature Center You Tube channel.

Project WET has a collection of free, downloadable materials and lessons ready for use for distance learning situations. Free materials, posters and booklets are also available through the store. Scroll through to find the language and topic you need. Contact for additional information on materials to aid in classroom education.

Project WILD has materials available for home use and opportunities for workshops. Locate their resources by going to their website.

Project Learning Tree has a variety of resources for use with classrooms and for parent child engagement. To learn about electronic curriculum or how to obtain the resource guide contact bbernard@ctwoodlands.org or kristen.bellantuono@ct.gov
Quick Links
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact us at 860-418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint.