Green Job Pathways

A & F Course Brings Learning to Life at Onalaska High School

Hannah Gomes and Emma Sweazy are just freshmen at Onalaska High School, but they’ve already presented at a statewide conference, sharing their experience as part of the school’s aquaculture & fisheries Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. 
 
“We want more people to know that this program is a lot different from any other classes in school,” says Sweazy. “It’s more hands-on. It’s not just sitting down in a classroom, it’s getting people outside.” 
 
On March 31, students in the course released 75,000 coho salmon and 20,000 steelhead trout, all raised on campus, into nearby Gheer Creek. Fish hatchery specialists from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife were on hand to support and monitor the process, and students from local elementary and middle schools took time out from class to attend. 

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Agriculture & Natural Resources Education

Natural Resources Professionals Bring Real-World Application to Teacher Workshops

Megan Klinich has attended multiple professional development workshops where participants debated the merits of teaching about forestry. As an Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher in the process of creating a forestry course from scratch, she found those discussions counterproductive; she already knew the relevance of this critical industry for students in Kitsap County, a region surrounded by forests on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. What she lacked was concrete information about how to teach the topic in a way that engaged students while providing training aligned to genuine employer needs.
 
Then she attended Engaging Communities in Forestry Education (ECFE), a two-day in-person workshop where teachers learned forest management practices, climate science, and strategies for applied learning with students. 
 
“It was different because I was meeting with industry professionals,” says Klinich. “The entire workshop was about how forestry works and how we can connect that to the community, versus why forestry education matters. They already know it matters. It was refreshing.”

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Non-PEI Professional Learning Opportunities

New – and Free! – Self-Paced Project Learning Tree Course

We’re pleased to highlight a new professional learning opportunity for educators looking to strengthen environmental and sustainability instruction. Project Learning Tree’s Forest Literacy: Understanding the Values of Trees, Forests, and Sustainability course provides a clear, engaging introduction to the vital role forests play in our world. Developed in partnership with the Texas A&M Forest Service and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, this course is offered free of charge.
Through a self-paced, online format, participants explore how forests function, what defines a healthy forest, and how forests contribute to ecological, economic, and community well-being. Grounded in the Forest Literacy Framework, the course supports a shared foundation for teaching and learning through real-world connections and informed decision-making.
 
Designed for both formal and informal educators, the course can be completed in just a few hours and serves as a strong entry point for building confidence in teaching about natural resources. Whether you’re new to environmental education or looking to refresh your approach, you’ll find practical ideas to bring into your classroom or program.

Did you know? Pacific Education Institute proudly coordinates Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET — three outstanding programs that provide hands-on, inquiry-based activities to connect students with the natural world. Each now offers online learning opportunities for educators. Reach out to learn more!

Explore the course and discover how forest literacy can help students better understand the complex relationships between people and the natural world.

PEI Asynchronous Performance Task Workshop

Update: We’re Opening MORE SEATS!

We’ve added additional spots for this course starting June 1, with access through June 24.
Register today! 

Tools & Tips for Teachers

BioBlitz

Spring is a great time for a schoolyard BioBlitz, an exciting, time-limited scavenger hunt to identify as many species of plants, animals and insects as possible in a specific area such as a schoolyard. 
It promotes biodiversity awareness, scientific observation, and outdoor activity. 

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Upcoming Events 

  With Gratitude

Thank you, April investors!