Ever wondered how environmental education programs come to life? As PRC’s environmental education coordinator in Pittsburgh, I can tell you it starts with one thing: WONDER.
MY EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE IN ERIE
The Pennsylvania Association for Environmental Educators (PAEE) conference in Erie was a goldmine of inspiration. Between striking yoga poses as wetland creatures and diving into different teaching frameworks, I collected ideas that will transform our programs. I was also surrounded by many other amazing people and organizations who are an incredible support group.
TOP 3 HIGHLIGHTS
1) Exploring Water Education That Flows
Project WET introduced hands-on activities that will energize how we teach about water cycles, pollution, and microplastics. (Yes, we did wetland yoga—picture me as a human cattail!)
2) Creating with Compassion
Dr. Jacie Maslyk’s framework for “Creating for Social Good” showed how to weave empathy into environmental education. Her simple but powerful discussion prompt “3 things you love to do, 2 things you wish you could change, and 1 thing you’d add to your neighborhood” helps to prime our brains for design thinking.
3) Learning That Makes Waves
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) framework (issue definition → field experience → synthesis → civic action) offers a blueprint for meaningful watershed education that connects students to real environmental solutions.
BRINGING IT BACK TO PRC
The connections between these workshops revealed something exciting: environmental educators are uniquely positioned to support teachers implementing the new STEELS (Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy and Sustainability) standards. We guide learners from environmental literacy to civic engagement.
Want to see how I’ll transform this wonder into action? Check out PRC’s workshops. Or if you’re a teacher looking for environmental education support, use the “find an EE near me” tool at PAEE’s website.
MEET PRC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR LAURA BLOOD
On a day-to-day basis, Laura helps people of all ages learn to steward resources to prevent waste and conserve the environment. In the classroom and in the field, she teaches school students about a variety of topics ranging from waste reduction and recycling to environmental health and watershed protection. In-person and online, she teaches adults how to protect vital resources by taking action in their lives and in and around their homes. In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining, sewing/crafting, native landscaping, pistol shrimp and bladderworts.
