Copy

Special Event

PEI's 2024 FieldSTEM Celebration Honors Inspiring Educators and Partners

On September 26th, PEI hosted its annual FieldSTEM Celebration at Lacey Community Center to honor educators who integrate outdoor, place-based learning in public schools. The event recognized the work of teachers, schools, districts, community partners, and legislators. 
 
“We get to learn about the great things teachers, schools, and districts across the state are doing that are really impacting students in a positive way,” said PEI’s Board President Leslie Druffel, Outreach Director for The McGregor Company. “It’s a happy event.” 

Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) were the event’s main sponsors, along with table sponsors Taylor Shellfish and Port Blakely and event sponsors Manulife and Puget Sound Energy. 

Read More

Agriculture Education

Soil Science, Carbon Tracking and Cow Petting: Welcome to Engaging Communities in Agriculture Education

“It’s not every day you can pet a cow.”

Cow-petting is not typically part of professional development opportunities for teachers. Appropriately enough, however, cows were a highlight during an inaugural Engaging Communities in Agriculture Education (ECAE) workshop in October, as one participating teacher noted in her evaluation. 

“Facilitators were, at times, competing to be heard over the very enthusiastic on-site cows who loudly communicated with the rancher about mealtime,” says PEI’s Eastern Washington FieldSTEM Coordinator Amy Dawley. “In addition, there was an opportunity for participants to ‘pet’ the cows. Jake Wolfe, a local rancher and Vetter Farm Superintendent for Stevens County Conservation District (SCCD), clearly had a real relationship with this small group of cows and suggested they might welcome and benefit from some extra love, as they were recently separated from calves.”

Read More

Urban Forestry

Environmental Justice Meets Emotional Connections at Urban Forestry Workshop

Teachers got plenty of scientific information about trees during an urban forestry workshop in September, but what stood out to King County Urban Forestry Program Manager Joanna Nelson de Flores wasn’t the data.
 
“One of the highlights was the activities and discussion centered around the emotional and ecological connections to the land,” says Nelson de Flores. “I tend to wear my management hat, so it was a great reminder to build those connections through something as simple as a walk in the woods, and that young people need opportunities to make those connections.” 

Read More

Forestry Education

The Care of Trees Takes Center Stage at Forest Literacy Workshop

Take a moment and look around your house. How many products would you estimate include some kind of tree product? Odds are that shampoo and windshields are not on your bingo card, but they are indeed made of wood products, as a group of educators at a K-8 Forest Literacy workshop learned. 
 
The Whatcom Chapter of the Washington Farm Forestry Association hosted the workshop at Westergreen Family Farm. Owners Tom and Lisa Westergreen both have strong affiliations with Whatcom WFFA; Tom has been a member for over 50 years and serves as Inspector Coordinator for the Washington Tree Farm Program, and Lisa, a teacher at Nooksack Elementary School, is the co-vice chair of Whatcom WWFA. PEI’s Northwest FieldSTEM Coordinator Amy Keiper joined as a co-facilitator. 

Read More

Workshop Announcement

PEI’s Fall FieldSTEM Introduction Academy Coming in November

  

Join us for an inspiring journey into FieldSTEM, where education comes to life through real-world, place-based learning. Whether you're new to FieldSTEM or looking to deepen your expertise, these dynamic professional learning experiences are designed to ignite your passion and empower you to bring fresh ideas to your classroom and colleagues. Choose from a variety of engaging workshops that match your interests and explore how you can transform learning in your school or district.
Monday, November 4th to Thursday, November 21st, 2024 
Each session - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM (online - Zoom)

Register Here

Tools & Tips for Teachers

Outdoor Activities for Teens to Boost Mental Health

In an era dominated by screens and social media, teenagers are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. Yet, nature has the power to transform their mental health. By spending time outdoors, teens can reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate emotional intelligence. In this post, we’ll examine the science behind nature’s benefits and provide actionable tips for parents, educators, and teens themselves to incorporate outdoor time into daily life.

Research has consistently shown that spending time outdoors has numerous benefits for our mental health such as:

Reduced Stress: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, all indicators of stress.

Boosted Mood: Being outdoors can increase feelings of pleasure and relaxation, and even reduce symptoms of depression.

Lowered Stress Levels: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to lower cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, all indicators of stress.

Emotional Intelligence Benefits: Nature exposure can improve self-awareness, self-regulation, and emotional expression.

Improved Mental Clarity: Spending time outdoors can help improve our thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities by allowing our minds to relax and recharge.

Source: Project Learning Tree

Read More

Upcoming Events 

Date Workshop Location
 November 4 -   21  Fall FieldSTEM Introduction Academy  Statewide
 December 3  FieldSTEM Introduction for Leadership  Statewide
 December 11  FieldSTEM Implementation for Leadership  Statewide

Visit PEI's calendar for more information. 

  With Gratitude


Thank you to October's donors and funders!


Gareth Waugh

John Ison

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
 
Donate to PEI
Facebook
Twitter
Link
Website
Copyright © 2024 Pacific Education Institute, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp