Professional Learning Opportunities

Centralia College Teachers Bring Creativity and Enthusiasm to Early Childhood Workshop

Here’s a question you’ve probably never considered: can a pinecone be played like a harmonica?  

The answer is not really, but it sure is fun trying, as one teacher at a Trees & Me: Early Childhood Outdoor Learning workshop discovered in May.  

Over 40 educators and educators-in-training from Centralia College’s Early Childhood Education department attended the workshop at Millersylvania State Park. They evaluated activities from Project Learning Tree’s Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children, collaborated with colleagues to identify and solve potential challenges with outdoor teaching, and participated in several of the guide’s activities.  

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FieldDesign in Action

Tree Planting Honors Lamont School District’s Graduating Class 

What do eighth-grade students who have lived through a pandemic and Douglas fir trees have in common?  

Resilience.  

That was the message Lamont School District Superintendent Charles Pierce shared with the graduating class of 2023. On Arbor Day, students and staff gathered to plant a Douglas fir on campus to commemorate their perseverance in the face of challenges. The tree will serve as a lasting symbol for alumni and future students alike.  

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Statewide Programs

Wrapping up Another Year of FieldSTEM and Clime Time 

PEI’s fiscal year ends on June 30th and the past 12 months have been big. For one thing, our staff has expanded to 20 part-time and full-time employees – a new record! Another first: the highest ever percentage of workshop participants sent us documentation showing they’d implemented what they’d learned with their students.  

It’s been an inspiring and busy twelve months. Here are a few highlights. 

Honoring Ron Schultz

Remembering PEI's  Board President 

Welcome New Staff

PEI Leadership Team Expands 

Congratulations to members of PEI’s team who are moving into new leadership positions:  

Associate Director Columbia Basin & Coast Region Megan Rivard; Associate Director Puget Sound Region Tressa Arbow; Associate Director of Green Jobs Heather Spalding; Associate Director of Operations Katie Hatam; Statewide Project Learning Tree Coordinator Lara Tukarski; and Statewide Project WET and Project WILD Coordinator Molly Griffiths. 

Special Event

Registration Now Open! 2023 FieldSTEM Celebration  

You're Invited!

Join us at the 2023 FieldSTEM Celebration on October 6th! The event is expanding. In addition to honoring the FieldSTEM Teacher of the Year, School of the Year, District of the Year, Community Partner of the Year, Legislators of the Year and Legacy Honoree, the event will include dinner, a silent auction and a live performance by Sturgeon Moon, an 8-piece band from Olympia! You won't want to miss it. Get your tickets here.

Tools & Tips for Teachers

PEI’s FieldDesign in Action: 7th Grade Science & CTE Teacher Implementation 

Tumwater Middle School Science & CTE Teacher Tony Harris implemented PEI’s FieldDesign Urban Forestry and Environmental Justice framework with his students and shared his results with us. Now, we’re sharing them with you. Enjoy!  

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Upcoming Events 

*Workshop Full. 

Visit our calendar for more information.

  With Gratitude

Thank you to last month’s donors and funders!