2010 Classroom Earth Professional Development Grants

 Classroom Earth

Professional Development Grants

Application

National Environmental Education Foundation

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change.

NEEF partners with professionals in health, education, media, business and public lands management to promote daily actions for helping people protect and enjoy the environment. Through our programs — Classroom Earth®, National Public Lands Day®, National Environmental Education Week, Business and Environment, Earth Gauge® and Health & Environment — we offer Americans knowledge to live by. 

Classroom Earth 2010 Professional Development Grants

Environmental education benefits students – increasing their understanding of how earth’s resources and natural systems work, offering opportunities for hands-on activities and inquiry-based learning and providing practical information about how to succeed in the green economy.In order for students to receive meaningful environmental education, it is critical that their teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge.  Essential to a teacher’s ability to serve in this role as environmental educator is not only an understanding of environmental concepts and issues, but familiarity with the newest strategies and best practices for integrating these concepts into their established cirriculum.  Whether a teacher focuses on science, math or social studies, environmental education can provide experiences that link what they are learning to their local environment.

Classroom Earth supports teachers around the country who want to make environmental education part of their curriculum. Classroom Earth’s 2010 Professional Development Grants enable applicants to take two online courses, creating a strong foundation in environmental education. These courses are offered by the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point through the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP).  With these courses, teachers are better equipped to bring the environment into the classroom and connect students with their natural surroundings.   

I. Grants Criteria

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants are eligible if they:

• teach 9th-12th grades in a public or private school in the United States or eligible US jurisdiction.
• have at least two years of teaching experience by the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
• are a full-time employee of a school district.
• anticipate a classroom teaching assignment for the 2010-2011 school year.

Applicants are not eligible if they:

• are members of the Classroom Earth Teacher Advisory Committee or employees at a member school. Access a list of members at http://www.classroomearth.org/node/168.
• have won a National High School Challenge grant in the past two years.
• have been a recipient of the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award in the past two years.

Criteria for Grant Selection:

Applications will be reviewed and grantees chosen based on:

• the needs of the applicant’s school and students.
• the goals of the applicant to utilize the courses in the integration of environmental education into their classes.
• the professional development goals of the applicant in taking these courses.
• the capacity of the applicant to complete the grant and course requirements.
• the support of the school administration while the applicant takes courses and manages a teaching schedule.

II. General Information

Course Information

The courses offered are appropriate for teachers of all subject areas. The online nature of the courses allows teachers to participate without travelling. The courses also requires participants to integrate local environmental needs and contexts into course assignments. Teachers receiving the grant should anticipate 10-15 hours of work each week. The courses will be taken in the order below, and only one course can be taken each semester. Grant funds are exclusively for the courses and will be paid by NEEF directly.

Foundations of Environmental Education (EE) 

The goal of this course is to provide a foundational knowledge of environmental education and the skills to become a more effective educator. This course is a great way for any teacher, regardless of the subject area, to develop the skills and knowledge to incorporate environmental content into instruction. The course will also explore the many resources available to assist teachers who want to teach about the environment.
3 graduate level credits available for the 12-week course

Making Environmental Education Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences 

This course is designed to provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills needed to make environmental education relevant to culturally diverse audiences. Through this course, participants will broaden their perspective of environmental education to encompass interests and issues of concern to a wide variety of audiences, assess barriers to participation in and incorporation of environmental education and apply cultural competency skills in building relationships and partnerships with members of an audience they intend to work with in the future.
2 graduate-level credits available for the 10-week course

Reporting

At the end of each semester, grantees will be required to participate in a NEEF survey of the course and how the course content will be incorporated into their classroom. Each grantee will also be required to submit one assignment a semester to NEEF to be shared on ClassroomEarth.org.

Timeline

III. Submission Information

Complete all sections of the application form as required. All submissions are due July 9th, 2010.

Apply here 

 Questions? We welcome your questions and concerns. Please email all inquiries about the grant to [email protected]