Educator Training &
Workshop Descriptions

WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands:

WOW! introduces participants to wetland ecology through a study of the three parameters of wetlands: vegetation, soils and hydrology.  Participants will also learn about wetland functions and values by utilizing K-12 cross curricular, inquiry based activities.  Leave with a wetland resource guide with over 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities, and ideas for student action projects.

More information about WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands

WOW! Facilitator:

Participants continue their study of wetlands, practice leading WOW! activities, and learn the processes and protocols of the nationwide WOW! Facilitator network.  Participants leave with skills and materials to lead their own WOW! workshops.  The WOW! workshop is a pre-requisite.

POW! The Planning of Wetlands:

Participants will learn the step-by-step process for creating or enhancing wetlands on school grounds or within the community.  POW! guides participants through wetland design and construction with the goal of utilizing the habitat as an outdoor classroom.  Leave with cross curricular activities that allow students to participate in the design, installation and monitoring of a schoolyard wetland habitat.

More information about POW! Planning of Wetlands

Rain Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms:

This course introduces participants to the concept of rain gardens with a focus on their benefits to the environment and the surrounding watershed. Participants will leave with the basic knowledge of how rain gardens are designed, created and maintained. 

Schoolyard Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring:

Schoolyard Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring provides educators with an understanding of different habitat types and how to properly maintain the space with their students. Participants will also learn how to identify a schoolyard habitat’s success by utilizing K-12 cross curricular, inquiry based activities.  Educators will gain valuable tools to increase students’ interest in wetland maintenance, and inspiration to involve the entire school in the process.

Schoolyard Habitat Program and Success Stories

Wetland Plant ID for Educators -
Know ’em and Grow ’em (KEGE):

This course provides educators with an understanding of wetland plant ecology and adaptations, and the resources to identify plant species in the field. Materials will also cover native and non-native species and planting tips. Educators will gain valuable tools to increase students’ interest in wetland plants, and inspiration to construct schoolyard wetland habitats.

Student Action Projects for Watershed Improvements: 

This course provides Educators with the tools they need to implement student-driven meaningful best management practices to improve the health of their local watershed. Educators will leave with activities and tools to ensure their programs are meeting the new MWEE requirements.

Aligning Schoolyard Habitats into Your Curriculum:

Participants will investigate and integrate outdoor classrooms into their mandated curriculum. Participants will learn how their existing outdoor habitat programs connect with the Next Generation Science, Common Core and E-Lit Standards. Participants will leave with the confidence to use their outdoor classrooms through multidisciplinary activities for students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade.

EC staff are also trained Facilitators in Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET curricula. To schedule a workshop, please email teachwetlands@wetland.org or call 410-745-9620. To register for a current workshop, please review our 2017 course calendar (insert link).