StayConnected Environmental and Outdoor Education Webinar Series

October 22, 2020, 12:00 Noon
Keeping Conservation in the COVID-19 Classroom
Jack Hilgert, Conservation Education Assistant, Nebraska Forest Service, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Now more than ever students need connections to the outdoors and natural world through quality environmental education experiences. During this session learn about program offerings from the Nebraska Forest Service and gain ideas on how to keep your students connected to conservation and engaged with their environment during this tumultuous time.

The Nebraska Forest Service is the state coordinating agency for both Project Learning Tree and Project WET (Water Education Today) which are award-winning, internationally-utilized, environmental education curricula.

Keeping Conservation in the COVID-19 Classroom
Nebraska Forest Service Virtual Classroom Visits
MiniWorkshop Community Trees!

June 4, 2020 – Virtual Field Trips: Bringing the World to Your Students
Peter Brunette, Omaha’s Henry Doorley Zoo & Aquarium

Virtual Field Trips are more important now than ever before! Join us live from the Scott Aquarium at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Experience one of our interactive virtual field trips and learn tips and tricks for presenting and engaging students with Zoom. You will learn how to find both paid and free virtual field trips, and the best technology options for cameras and microphones.
PowerPoint

May 14 2020 – Sprouting Success in an Afterschool Program
Courtney Schaardt, courtneys@nefb.org, Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom, Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation

Discover hands-on, virtual, and at-home learning for youth through Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom! Learn more about resources that thoughtfully connect PreK-12^th grade students to their source of food, fiber, and fuel! This webinar will feature engaging, customizable activities and instructional strategies that can be immediately implemented into your program.

Why Agriculture in the Classroom resources? Agriculture connects people. Farms and ranches are everywhere in our nation. Agricultural businesses are in towns, cities, and communities throughout our state. In Nebraska, agriculture creates one in four jobs, which fuels the economy. Without agriculture, we could not feed, clothe, or fuel the world. The bottom line: agriculture is an important industry for all of us.

May 7, 2020 – Digging in the Dirt!
Marcia Fritz, Cozad Community Schools, Afterzone
Digging in the Dirt! (HANDOUT)
KidsGardening.org
Master Gardener Program, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Children love being outside, playing in the dirt, and watching things change.  Gardening is perfect!  I will share some hints, activities, and resources for gardening with children.  In our current situation, there are ways for you to connect with your students through gardening.

March 26, 2020 – Tree-A-Thon, Sandy Day, Beyond School Bells

Let’s All Root for Trees! 

This 30-minute webinar will explore new after school lessons developed by Beyond School Bells’ Design Studio Team.  The goal of the curriculum is to get kids and families excited about planting a tree in conjunction with April 24th Arbor Day Celebration across the nation.  There are two sets of curricula to review. The first one, is a three-hour activity that focuses on why trees are so important to us, how to plant a bare-root tree and how to care for the newly planted tree.  This curriculum could be used in conjunction with a family night at your site. The second set of lessons is a 7-topic, 22 lesson club that could be offered during the full month of April. Each lesson accesses prior knowledge, highlights a short – 4-minute video and contains a hands-on activity. All national, state and local standards are noted on the lesson in the footer.

For more information about the Tree-A-Thon, to access the curriculum, and to sign up to participate, visit the Beyond School Bells website.