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2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools What can we do to ensure students have access to EE throughout their PreK-12 Experience?

2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

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Page 1: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in SchoolsWhat can we do to ensure students have access to EE throughout their PreK-12 Experience?

Page 2: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

Panelists:

Laura Arndt: McREL Green STEM and Former Elementary Teacher

Allen Cooper: National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools Program

Julie North: Aurora Public Schools Sustainability

Sam Messier: Boulder Valley Public Schools Science Coordinator

Moderator: Beth Hanson, South Platte Park

Page 3: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

Skip to 27:50 in the audio recording

Q:

A:

As a provider, how do you get your toe in the door of schools?

Be persistent. Try different entry points, such as: principal, teachers, parents, central office in the district, or physically go to the school. Use success stories and name drop when you are making contact. Ask others who you have worked with to connect you with coordinators and different schools.

Page 4: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

How do you incentivize professional development opportunities for teachers?

Try to make it something the teacher can earn graduate credit for, which will move the teacher up on the salary schedule. Or, provide a stipend through a grant through a partner. In order to have them actually implement the new knowledge it helps to have the opportunity already aligned with the standards of the grade and/or course before you bring it to the teachers.

Skip to 33:25 in the audio recording

Q: A:

Page 5: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

As a provider, do you need to be specific about which standards your program meets or is it ok to generally state that it meets standards?

Teachers need to know specifically which standards your programs are meeting and this also can help clarify for the provider.

Additionally, as a provider know what standards your district is focused on and show how your program relates to those.

Q:

A:

Skip to 50:55 in the audio recording

Page 6: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

Is it more appealing for a classroom teacher to have the option for the provider to come into the

classroom?

Host program in classroom

Reduce cost

Build relationship with school

Apply for grants

together

Yes, it reduces cost which makes it easier for the teacher. Another way to reduce cost for the teachers is by finding grants for the bus transportation if is it going to be outside of the classroom. If you continue to bring your program into a school and build relationships within the school, then maybe down the road you can apply for a grant together to have the program become a field trip.

Skip to 1:04:30 in the audio recording

Q:

A:

Page 7: 2016 Firestarter Panel Discussion: Strengthening EE in Schools

Skip to 1:09:00 in the audio recording

Q:

A:

How can we develop a true partnership between providers and teachers, so that the teacher is involved in the program?

Include pre and post engagement for the teachers to utilize. By including projects and readings for the teacher to use before and after the program you will have more success getting the teacher and class fully involved. Talk with the teachers ahead of time about timing of curriculum and planning the visit around that time.