New Facilitator Training: Project WET, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree

PROJECT WET, PROJECT WILD, PROJECT LEARNING TREE FACILITATOR (TRAIN-THE-TRAINER) WORKSHOP

Join a statewide network of passionate partners to bring high-quality environmental education professional learning opportunities to Oklahoma educators! This training will prepare participants to lead and conduct professional development workshops for early childhood, K-12, and nonformal educators using the nationally recognized suite of Project WET, Project WILD, and Project Learning Tree curriculum.

Participants will learn how to use the curriculum, model activities for adult audiences, and become effective and engaging workshop facilitators while integrating Oklahoma Academic Standards and Early Learning Guidelines into environmental experiences. After completing this training, facilitators will be able to offer Project WET, Project WILD, and Project Learning Tree educator workshops in partnership with Oklahoma’s state programs, while advocating for quality environmental education for all youth.

Facilitator Requirements:

• Attend this onboarding training and any required annual continuing education
• Plan and conduct at least one professional development event per year
• Work with your Oklahoma state coordinators to schedule, plan, and announce workshops
• Complete and submit all required paperwork
• Represent WET, WILD, and PLT professionally
• Be objective and scientifically accurate
• Promote and encourage PLT, WET, and WILD, their use with students and the value of training fellow educators
• Work collaboratively with other facilitators and partners to meet the needs of educators in your community

Training Details:

• Dates: July 8th and July 9th
• Location: UCO Boathouse at Arcadia Lake (7100 E 2nd St, Edmond, OK, United States, Oklahoma)
• Cost: $35 (covers lunch and activity materials)
• Provided Curriculum includes:
• Project WET: Water in Earth Systems, Foundations of Water Education, Getting Little Feet WET, and Climate Water and Resilience
• Project WILD: WILD , Aquatic WILD, and Growing Up WILD
• Project Learning Tree: Explore Your Environment and Trees & Me
  

Who Should Attend?

Anyone passionate about environmental education who provides or would like to provide educator professional development or supports educators in engaging youth with nature. Recommended participants include:

• K-12 educators, curriculum specialists, district/school PD providers
• Preservice education professors
• Extension educators
• Nature center and museum staff
• Natural resource professionals
• Early Childhood Education staff and PD providers
• Conservation organization representatives
  

It is recommended that participants have attended at least one PLT, WET, or WILD training before becoming a facilitator; however, it is not required.

Lodging will be the responsibility of participants. Oklahoma City offers a variety of options to fit any budget.

Meals Provided: Lunch on both days + snacks & light refreshments

Why Should I Become a Facilitator?

• Receive valuable resources and training, along with innovative ideas and inspiration to support your organization’s conservation education mission.
• Gain access to a suite of high-quality environmental education materials covering forestry, water systems, and wildlife conservation
• Facilitators can recieve a $100 stipend per training you lead, while funding lasts for Project Learning Tree
• Simplify your organization’s professional development process and save money by offering training inhouse when you want, and in a way that directly meets your organization’s most pressing needs
• Boost your resume with valuable leadership, facilitation, and instructional skills
• Join our statewide network of environmental educators and access ongoing support
• Inspire the next generation of conservation-minded Oklahomans

Questions? Contact Us!

Jack Hilgert, jack.hilgert@conservation.ok.gov, (405) 613-3835, Oklahoma Project WET and Project WILD

Tony Pascall, Anthony.Pascall@ag.ok.gov, (405)317-8322, Oklahoma Project Learning Tree

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM:

Project WET stands for Water Education Today. Water is a part of everything we are, everything we eat, and everything we use. Yet most people do not even know where their water comes from, let alone their larger water footprint. Project WET provides educators, natural resource professionals, and more real-world, relevant, and hands-on lessons, that create an interdisciplinary learning environment focused on the most essential aspect of life—water.

Project WILD's mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. All curriculum materials are backed by sound educational practices and theory, and represent the work of many professionals within the fields of education and natural resource management from across the country.

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) provides educators with high-quality professional development, hands-on activities, and multi-disciplinary supplemental curriculum that can be easily integrated into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas to help teach youth about trees, forests, and the environment.