Pennsylvania State Parks
October 🎃 2021
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It's our favorite month of the year - OCTOBER! October provides us with a great reason to teach about all of our favorite things - Bats 🦇, Spiders 🕸, and strange science! See below for ideas to teach about all the things the go creep 👻 in the night. There are a TON of great webinars, we have the teacher PD coming up, and the DEP EE grants are now open!
E-Blast Contents:
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Section 1: Embrace Halloween 🎃 and Teaching with your Students About the Natural World
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Section 2: Earn Act 48 hours - Upcoming Virtual & In-Person Educator Professional Development Workshops
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Section 3: Webinars, Conferences, & Grants
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Section 4: Explore the 🍁 Outdoors!
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Section 5: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
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Capstone: PA State Park Updates
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🦇 Bats are Adorbs❤! Don't believe us? Watch this video of baby orphan fruit bats being cared for at the Australian Bat Clinic! - "Bat Orphans" (1:30 min.)
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Section 1:
Embrace Halloween 🎃 and Teaching your Students About the Natural World
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❤ BATS 🦇!
October 24 - 31, 2021
As insect eaters, pollinators, and seed spreaders, bats provide critical services for our ecosystem. Bat Week is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation.
BAT WEEK is your source for teaching all about bats!
🦇 All This Baby Bat Wants to Do Is Fly - Animal Videos For Kids (3:58 min.) - Please make sure to inform your students that this bat lost his Mom in an accident so this specialized & certified Bat Wildlife Rehabilitator is raising him until he can be released in the wild. Do not touch bats! Note - this is a fruit bat. We don't have those in PA.
Teach Outside or with Natural Materials!
Engage Your Students!
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Free Educator Guides for Children's Books 📘 from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology! Build science and literacy skills with free Educator Guides to popular children's books. Inspired by beautifully illustrated books for K-5th graders, these guides encourage close reading and deep learning through complimentary art, writing, math, & science activities. From life cycles to habitats to conservation and more, these Common Core and NGSS-aligned guides are packed full of hands-on, engaging activities. Guides are broken down by grade band. Download the K-2 or 3-5 book guides now.
- Join the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 pm for their FREE, virtual HHMI "Night at the Movies" as they premier "The Science of Climate Change🌎!" This event is suitable for school administrators, teachers, AND their students. Assign this to your students for HW or extra credit. Register NOW.
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Pennsylvania Sea Grant wants to connect with your students to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). PA Sea Grant is now booking FREE presentations, via zoom, or to host a booth/table at your event. Presentations are typically 15-20+ minutes and can be tailored to fit the audience. They seek to reach boaters, anglers, educators, scouts, students, natural resource agency staff, pet owners, etc. We can ALL reduce the risk of spreading AIS. To book a program or for more information, contact Sarah Whitney, Director of the PA Sea Grant College Program at swhitney@psu.edu or 610-304-8753.
Student-Led Learning
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Explore Earth’s Ice-Covered Regions with a New Polar Learning Tools for Students - The Byrd Polar & Climate Researcher Center at Ohio State University hosts two virtual tools for exploring ice-covered regions of the world from the comfort of your classroom (or home): Virtual Ice Explorer and Fluid Earth. With polar and alpine areas experiencing significant impacts from climate change, helping a larger audience understand these changes and ongoing research efforts is more important than ever. Learn more about the Byrd Center's available activities and lessons here.
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Section 2:
Earn Act 48 hours - Upcoming Virtual & In-Person Educator
Professional Development Workshops
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Thursday, October 21 and 28, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm each day on Zoom
Must Participate on both days.
Fee: FREE!
Act 48: 2 hrs.
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Earth 🌏 Force for a free, 2-part, virtual workshop to learn techniques for increasing student voice in your Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE). The MWEE is a powerful, student-centered learning framework. Join facilitators from Earth Force and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to explore ways to give students a more impactful role in the MWEE process.
Saturday, October 30, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
In-Person at Tuscarora State Park, 687 Tuscarora Park Road, Barnesville, PA 18214
Fee: $15.00
Act 48: 4 hrs.
Project WILD offers wildlife-based environmental education activities that are hands-on, easy to use, and fun which are easily integrated into science, language arts, math, music, art, and social studies curricula. The curriculum teaches the fundamentals of wildlife 🐻 ecology while developing ecological values and critical thinking skills. Background information is provided with each activity, so educators can jump right in and lead these activities with confidence! Workshop participants will receive the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide (+ other resources). Want to register or have questions? Reach out to Robin Tracey, EES at rtracey@pa.gov or (570)-467-2506. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
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FULL- Join the Waitlist.
Thursday, November 4, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm on Zoom
Fee: FREE!
Act 48: 2 hrs.
Are you a college student, pre-service teacher, classroom teacher, environmental educator, or homeschool provider seeking FREE lessons and skill-building to engage early childhood students (ages 3-7) in nearby nature? Dive into free wildlife 🦊 and watershed💦education activities, receive a FREE Growing Up WILD Activity Guide with 27 field-tested lessons for little learners, and learn how to frame your education within the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) framework. This workshop will be co-led by professional educators and certified MWEE-Trainers from Stroud Water Research Center, Pennsylvania State Parks, and Millersville University. Register NOW. Questions? Email Mandy Nix, Watershed Education Specialist at MNix@StroudCenter.org.
Friday, November 5, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
In-person at Jacobsburg EE Center, 400 Belfast Rd, Nazareth, PA 18064
Fee: $10
Act 48: 4 hrs.
Are you a college student, pre-service teacher, classroom teacher, environmental educator, or homeschool provider seeking lessons and skill-building to engage early childhood students (ages 3-7) in nearby nature? Dive into wildlife 🦊 education activities, receive a Growing Up WILD Activity Guide with 27 field-tested lessons for little learners, experience a sampling of activities from the guide, and learn tips and tricks for working with little ones outdoors. This workshop will be co-led by professional PA State Park educators. Bring a lunch and dress for outdoor fun! Register NOW. Contact Andy Fedor, EES at anfedor@pa.gov with questions or concerns. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
Saturday, November 6, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
In-person at R.B. Winter State Park, 17215 Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg, PA 17844
Fee: FREE!
Act 48: 3 hrs.
This workshop is for formal and informal educators who are seeking a source of interactive, hands-on activities to engage early childhood students (ages 3-7) in backyard nature and local 🦊wildlife. Participants will receive a FREE Growing Up WILD Activity Guide with 27 field-tested lessons for little learners, experience a sampling of activities from the guide, and learn tips and tricks for working with little ones outdoors. The workshop will be co-led by professional environmental educators from Sinnemahoning and Raymond B. Winter State Parks. It is open to ALL current and future educators, including classroom teachers, preschool teachers, homeschool educators, college students, pre-service teachers, environmental educators, and youth group leaders. Register NOW. Contact Alexis Weber, EES at alweber@pa.gov with questions or concerns. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
November 10, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm EST
Online MWEE 101 before the workshop; in-person at Stroud Water Research Center, Chester County, PA
Fee: FREE! Includes a catered lunch. Pre-registration is required!
Facilitators: Steve Kerlin, Ph.D. (Stroud Water Research Center), Kammas Kersch (Chester County IU), and Tammie Peffer (Pennsylvania Department of Education)
Are you a K-12 school administrator passionate about supporting your teachers and students through relevant and real watershed education? Learn how to support successful implementation of Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in your school district to help advance environmental literacy and stewardship while increasing standards-based student achievement. MWEEs are learner-centered experiences in which students investigate local environmental issues and complete informed action projects. In addition to becoming a Certified MWEE Ambassador, you will tour a suite of stormwater and agricultural best management practices. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
Please complete this free MWEE 101 Online Course before attending the in-person workshop (includes 3 Act 48 hours). Register NOW. Funding made possible through a generous B-WET grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Grant #NA20NMF4570238).
WILD About Turkeys 🦃 Educator Workshop
Saturday, November 20, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
In-person at the Elk Country Visitor Center (ECVC), 950 Winslow Hill Rd (for navigation), Benezette, PA 15821
Fee: Free!
Act 48: 6.5 hrs.
Join PA Game Commission and PA State Park scientists and educators at the beautiful Elk Country Visitor Center (ECVC) to learn all about what was almost our national bird - the Turkey 🦃! This workshop is for formal and non-formal educators teaching grades 6-12. During this workshop, we'll explore the Eastern Wild Turkey through its natural history, how it is managed in PA, and fun ways to teach about turkeys. Register now, call 570-398-4744 ext. 30311. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.
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Section 3:
Webinars, Conferences, and Grants!
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~WEBINARS~
Tuesday, October 19, 6:00 pm on Zoom
Feeding birds can spark kids’ curiosity, interest in the outdoors, and engagement with science! Discover teacher-tested, hands-on materials that will inspire your K-5 students to connect to nature and learn science content through feeder birds. Attending teachers can order a free window bird feeder thanks to Pennington Wild Birds ($6.00 shipping). Register NOW.
Thursday, October 21, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Zoom
Fee: Free for PAEE members, $5 for non-members
Join Bruce Young, North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network Coordinator to learn more about understanding audiences’ relationships with nature. This session will introduce The Practitioner's Guide to Assessing Connection to Nature, a new guidebook to help measure this elusive concept with young children, teenagers, or adults. Register NOW. Questions? Email Matt for more information. Provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE).
Schools & Climate Resilience—Trees Are Cool Webinar!
Tuesday, October 26, 3:30 pm -4:30 pm
Fee: FREE!
Trees🍁are the big superheroes when it comes to climate resilience -- cleaning the air, taking up carbon, reducing stormwater impacts, and shading us during heat waves. Learn from seasoned practitioners Frank Rodgers (Cacapon Institute), Elise Sheffield (Boxerwood), and Julie Mawhorter (USDA) as they share practical tips for incorporating trees into your school grounds and curriculum through MWEEs. Join HERE or join via phone: 1 (571) 317-3122, Access Code: 527-825-685.
Wednesday October 27, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm on Zoom
Fee: Free
Act 48: 1.5 hrs.
Join successful grant writers and program officers of funding agencies to increase the success of environmental education and sustainability education grant funding in Pennsylvania. Presenters will introduce the world of funding, describe how to read a request for proposal, tips for success, and where to find grants. We’ll then open the discussion for Q&A. Register NOW. Questions? Email Steve Kerlin at skerlin@stroudcenter.org.
Presented by the PA Environmental Literacy Task Force (NOAA B-WET grant #NA20NMF4570238) members:
- Steve Kerlin, Ph.D., Stroud Water Research Center
- Nanette Marcum-Dietrich, Ph.D., Millersville University
- Bert Myers, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Tamara Peffer, Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Elise Trelegan, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Program
Thursday, November 11, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Zoom
Fee: Free for PAEE members, $5 for non-members
Join PAEE to discuss how our Environmental Education organizations have changed as we near the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. What changes are permanent? What creative or new methods did you use to still share the EE message during COVID? What have been our biggest lessons and takeaways? This will be a casual conversation where we can learn from one another. Register NOW. Questions? Email Julie for more information. Provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE).
~CONFERENCES~
October 20 - 21, 8:15 am - 3:20 pm ET each day virtually
Fee: $50 for one day or attend both days for only $75!
During STEMATHON 2021, we RISE. We honor you, your students, and those who have embraced the challenges of the past year with strength, ingenuity, and resilience. The PA-focused STEMATHON Conference will feature exciting content in K-12 STEM fields, will inspire attendees with stories of STEM learning in varied learning environments, and will leave you with practical applications for your own schools moving forward! Can’t attend the sessions live? No worries, as a STEMATHON attendee you’ll have access to all session recordings. Content strands include: Creative Approaches to STEM Learning, STEM for ALL, Computer Science, Leveraging Partnerships, STEM Career Connections/Workforce Development, and STEM Leadership and Policy. Question? Contact stem@iu13.org. Register NOW.
October 25, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (EDT) on Zoom
Fee: FREE!
This summit is designed for those communicating about science-driven topics. It features national speakers and focuses on communicating about Climate Change, Vaccines, and Energy. Join other educators to discuss polarizing topics and work to determine the best ways to communicate the message to build public trust in science. Register NOW.
Monday, December 6 - Wednesday, December 8, 2021 (An Act 45 program is also scheduled for Sunday, December 5)
The Hershey Lodge & Convention Center, Hershey, PA
In-person and virtual options available.
Fee: SAS Institute $150; Act 45 Program $150
Act 48 hours provided
Many of the learning and social needs of PA's students, staff, schools, and communities can best be accomplished through high quality science instruction. Join fellow PA teachers and administrators at the SAS Institute.
- Keynote Dr. Baron Davis will kick off this year’s Institute. Superintendent of Richland School District Two in South Carolina, Dr. Davis emphasizes equity, inclusionary practice, and a vision for superior learning experiences provided through community, staff, and family partnerships.
- Tuesday keynote, Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent of the Fall Creek, Wisconsin School District, recognized as Education Dive's 2019 National Superintendent of the Year, strives to change the narrative and create a culture of YES to help leaders see the opportunities for those they lead - as opposed to the reasons why ideas won’t work.
- Wednesday’s keynote features Dr. Byron McClure, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, who focuses on systems change and how to integrate SEL into a framework that includes relationships and an equity mindset.
~GRANTS~
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2022 EE Grant Applications only accepted through December 10, 2021.
Grant Award Amounts
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Mini Grants of $3,000 or less may be awarded for local (school, county, municipality, or other defined area) environmental education projects.
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General Grants (Level I) - from $3,001 up to $20,000 may be awarded for implementation of large-scale, regional, or statewide environmental education projects.
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General Grants (Level II) - from $20,001 to $85,000 may be awarded for non-formal environmental education programs designed to widely engage teachers & youth at the county, state, and national levels.
Eligible Applicants:
Schools, conservation districts, colleges and universities, incorporated nonprofit organizations, and PA businesses are invited to submit project applications.
DEP’s Environmental Education Grants Program identifies three (3) Priorities:
- Climate Change
- Water
- Environmental Justice
The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5% of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) be set aside for environmental education. Since the inception of the environmental education grant program, DEP has awarded more than $12 million in grants to support environmental education efforts throughout Pennsylvania. Administered through DEP, the funds are used for projects ranging from creative, hands-on lessons for students, teacher training programs, and outdoor learning resources to conservation education for adults. Questions? Contact RA-epEEgrants@pa.gov.
Join this online environmental challenge that gets kids excited about nature and offers a chance to win 1 of 6 vouchers for $5,000 worth of Samsung products.
Who's Eligible:
Middle school teacher (grades 6-8)* in the United States, DC, or Puerto Rico. Register your class and get started.
Requirements:
During the month of October, visit the online portal to view and complete tasks. You only need to complete 7 tasks to be included in the prize drawing.
What are the tasks to complete?
Tasks are NGSS-aligned learning activities that take roughly 15-20 minutes to complete. Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation's (NEEF).
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Section 4:
Explore the Outdoors!
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Autumn is here and Pennsylvania has so much to offer! Check out the upcoming outdoor events scheduled across the state. Get Outdoors PA, there's something for everyone!
Hunt down some invasive Spotted Lanternflies while you are outdoors! These highly invasive bugs are more noticeable right now because they’re in their “teenage phase." Right now, they lay many egg masses containing up to 50 eggs, and the eggs can survive the winter! Get egg scraping! Save our WINE! 🍷
Get outside hunting this year! Additional State Forest Roads Opening Across PA for Hunting Seasons and other Outdoor Activities! This will improve accessibility for ALL and allow more deer to be hunted which improves forest biodiversity. The DCNR-Bureau of Forestry is opening more than 515 miles of state forest roads that are normally open only for administrative use. When combined with normally open state forest roads this equals more than 3,200 miles of roadways will be open! Check before you leave to ensure the road you are driving will be open. Many of these roads will continue to stay open through other hunting seasons, continuing into January 2022.
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Cleaning Out Your Outdoor Gear Closet? Consider Cairn's Gear Up, Give Back program. Print out a mailing label and ship your gear to The Gear Fix. They will repair your equipment, sell it in their shop, and the net proceeds will be matched by Cairn and Gear Fix to be donated to Outdoors for All. Everyone wins!
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Section 5:
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
- Learn more about DCNR's DEI efforts here -
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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn unveiled new “Nature for All” trailhead signs that are designed to represent the department’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on public lands. Look for the signs on DCNR lands near you.
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The outdoors and healthy lifestyles are vital to our health. Everyone can benefit from time outdoors. Take a look at the encouraging outdoor activities Come Alive Outside is hosting throughout the year!
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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 Education staff now! 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 with social distancing encouraged:
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Many Environmental Education programs require pre-registration. Explore the DCNR events calendar for details and to register.
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Plan your outing before you leave. Learn about facilities, download a park map, and review regulations here: Find park pages here
- Take care of & respect the resource. Park, hike, picnic, and launch your kayak 🛶 only in designated areas.
- Check the weather before you depart, wear proper footwear, dress in layers, and bring water/warm beverages with you.
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Wear orange if hiking in designated hunting areas.
- Carry a park map with you!
- Please do not litter 🚮.
- Alcohol is not allowed in PA State Parks.
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Make a reservation at a PA State Park Campground, Camping Cottage, Cabin, or Yurt. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
You can help keep state parks safe for all by following these practices:
- Use the restroom before you leave your house 🏡
- Bring a bag and either carry out your trash or dispose of it properly
- Clean up after pets 🐕
You can help keep state parks safe for all by following these practices:
- Continue to practice social distancing (stay >6' apart)
- Take hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly
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Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose
- If you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, stay home
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