May

May 1. Numb3rs in N8ture. Wisconsin Mathematics Council Annual Conference, Green Lake Conference Center. 12:30-2:00 p.m. Discover how to use the natural world as a tool to teach mathematics to students with a variety of learning styles in a fun, hands-on way. Participants will learn how to use mathematics related activities from the award-winning Project Learning Tree activity guide and other Wisconsin DNR education resources to teach topics such as graphing, percentages, measurement, and geometry. As part of the workshop participants will receive a copy of the the Project Learning Tree activity guide and a collection of educational resources from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that complement the activities presented in the guides. These programs meet state teacher and academic standards, are eligible for inclusion in an initial educator plan, and can be used in renewal of your licensure. Special thanks to the Hardwood Forest Foundation for providing financial support to cover workshop costs. Registration will take place through the Wisconsin Mathematics Council.

May 3. Flying WILD Workshop. Wausau School Forest, Wausau. Focused on birds and targeted to upper and middle level educators (grades 4-9). Receive bird education curriculum materials, practice fun activities, learn about Wisconsin birds and have a great time. Free resource guide includes teacher, volunteer and student-lead activities. Contact the facilitator, Dennis Yockers, at Dyockers@UWSP.edu. Cost: $15. Editors Note: this is held in conjunction with a larger "Wisconsin Adventure in Outdoor Education" event. contact Dr. John W. Munson at barbjohn@charter.net, or (715) 341-1208.

May 10. International Migratory Bird Day. Environment for the Americas invites you to participate in International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) 2008. IMBD focuses attention on one of the most spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird -- its journey between summer and winter homes. This year, the bird conservation focus is "Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People." Their website features information, downloadable materials, activity ideas, and more.

May 15-16. Wisconsin Outdoor Education Expo. Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam. This expo features “hands-on” activities and participation where students will be introduced to wildlife-related outdoors skills, natural resources, and conservation and management concepts. Seven “camps” will feature outdoor activities such as archery, dogs, camping, recreation, fishing, firearms, conservation heritage and much more.

May 17. Project WILD and Project WET, Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave, Franklin. (8:15-4:30) Learn how to integrate environmental education into your existing curriculum through the use of these teacher-tested multidisciplinary K-12 and early childhood programs. Project WILD features over 150 activities focusing on wildlife, habitat, and responsible human actions. Aquatic Project WILD, a companion guide to Project WILD, explores the fascinating world of water, aquatic wildlife, and the aquatic habitat. Project WET focuses on water-related, fun, hands-on, and easy-to-use activities related to atmospheric, surface, and ground water, water history, chemistry, watersheds, economics, wetlands, water rights, conservation and stewardship. Workshop participants receive activity guides for each program, participate in a variety of activities from each of the guides and learn how to implement these activities with students. In addition, participants will learn about and receive a collection of educational resources from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that complement the activities presented in the guides. These programs meet state teacher and academic standards. Cost: $35 includes curriculum, activity guides and additional resources. Contact Howard April at (414) 425-8550.

June

June 7. National Trails Day. Statewide. Events are planned throughout the state to emphasize the importance of trails and the need to maintain them. Call (608) 266-2181.

June 8. State Parks Open House. No admission stickers are required today, so it's an ideal time to visit the Wisconsin State Parks of your choice. Many parks have special events and refreshments for the occasion.

June 7-8. Free Fishing Weekend. With summer almost upon us, there's no better time to rediscover the joy of fishing. Fishing brings family and friends together to make memories that last a lifetime. We've joined the national Take me Fishing campaign and encourages everyone to participate in the leisurely, family-friendly experience of fishing and enhance their appreciation of the natural world. Also, find out where to Take Kids Fishing in Wisconsin.

June 17-18. Birds on The Wing Teacher Workshop, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Ever recognize the wonder of a bird on the wing and ask yourself how you could teach about such wonderful creatures and still meet Wisconsin Academic standards? This two-day workshop, designed for educators of middle school students, will show you how by introducing two curricula: One Bird - Two Habitats and Flying WILD. Participants will receive bird education materials, engage in outdoor field activities, and learn how to meet standards using environmental education techniques, Cooperative Learning, and Service Learning models. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. ALNC Members: $40/person; Non-Members: $45/person. Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 11, 2008. To register by phone, call 608-221-0495. For more information on the contents of the workshop, contact Susan Gilchrist at Susan.Gilchrist@sbcglobal.net, (608) 249-5030 or susan.gilchrist@wisconsin.gov, (608) 221-6350.

June 23-27 & July 2. Rivers of Learning. Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center, Prescott. A multi-disciplinary teaching approach for the St. Croix and Mississippi River Systems. Through environmental education, historical perspective, Native American culture, museum experiences, recreation, art and creative writing, you will gain appreciation for the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Experts from the National Park Service, Minnesota Historical Society, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Science Museum of Minnesota and others will provide unique learning opportunities. This course will provide you with the skills and curriculum needed to implement elements of river education across your curriculum. Project WILD materials are correlated to the national standards in science and environmental education and provide a guidepost for these state standards-setting efforts. This is an active and hands-on learning experience, set in the outdoors. Course number TED 945/695 Contemporary Issues in Education: Rivers of Learning, two credit hours. To register call (715) 425-3256.

June 23-27. Sally Ride Academy - West Allis: Explore the Great Lakes. Join an exploration of the watery world of the Great Lakes and discover ways to integrate Great Lakes activities into your existing curriculum. This course will provide you with hands-on classroom activities, a field day on Lake Michigan aboard the H.S. Denis Sullivan schooner out of Pier Wisconsin, and information from a variety of speakers about the Great Lakes with an emphasis on Lake Michigan. You’ll receive a boatload of resources, swap activity ideas with other teachers, encounter Great Lakes fish, hear stories about the Great Lakes, study Great Lakes water issues, and maybe even learn a sailor song or two. Activities are compatible with instruction in science, social studies, language arts, and reading and are great for students of all abilities. Open to K-8 teachers* for 1 or 2 graduate credits through Cardinal Stritch University. *High school teachers allowed with approval from the instructor. One FREE GRADUATE CREDIT to first 25 participants. To register visit the Sally Ride web site, in early 2008 or contact: Sally Ride Academy, Jill Purvis, Program Coordinator, 19601 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 200 Brookfield, WI 53045-5974, (262) 370-5451. Questions, contact: Carrie Morgan, 608-267-5239.

June 30 – July 2, 2008. Exploration of the Mississippi River. Wyalusing State Park. This outdoor multi-disciplinary workshop is for 4th-12th grade teachers, but early education teachers have found the workshop useful for thematic lesson planning. Highlights include the opportunity to get out on the River with local natural resource professionals who will demonstrate various techniques used to monitor the ecological health of the River. Includes history of the River; current management practices/issues; field trips and practical experiences; and perspectives of researchers, managers and educators who deal with the River. Materials and information are linked to teaching your students about the Mississippi River using Mississippi River adapted activities that will be provided and ideas from fellow participants. Activities can be used in a variety of subject areas (science, math, social studies and language arts). cost: $60, credit available, register by June 1. For more information, contact, Jeff Janvrin, Mississippi River Habitat Specialist, at (608) 785-9005.

August

August 3-8, 2008. Ecological Society of America Meeting. Midwest Airline Center, Milwaukee. A special day of events and sessions with K12 educators in mind with this theme: Enhancing Ecological Thought by Linking Research and Education. Join speakers, hands-on workshops, ecological field trips and presentations showcasing effective ecology education for K12 audiences that meet science education content standards taking place in schools, research field stations, and nature centers. Classroom and nonformal educators are welcome to interact with eminent ecologists and thinkers in ecology education. Register today to receive information. For more information, please contact education@esa.org.

August 4-8. Northwoods Academy: Where You Live-Explore Nature While You Teach and Learn, Rhinelander. After great successes at the Sally Ride and Washburn Academies, Wisconsin DNR will be bringing their weeklong “Where you Live” workshop to the northwoods this summer. Learn how you can bring the wonder of the outdoors to your students and help them become lovers and stewards of our air, water and land. Get hands-on experiences and a backpack full of free classroom resources to help you teach science, reading, language arts, and social studies with an environmental theme. We'll get you outside and keep you moving as we equip you with a plethora of the best contemporary environmental education resources available. Targeted to K-8 teachers and available for 2 graduate credits through Viterbo University. The first 15 participants will have $100 of their course registration fee waived AND the first 20 participants can receive $100 toward graduate credits.To register visit the Northwoods Academy web site, in early 2008 or contact: Northwoods Academy, Michele Nickels, NDEN, P.O. Box 518, Rhinelander, WI 54501, (715) 365-4685. Questions, contact: Mary Hamel, 608/267-7409.

August 21. Project WET Workshop. Retzer Nature Center, Waukesha. 8:30-2:30 p.m. Project WET is an multidisciplinary program that uses over 90 hands-on, fun activities to promote water systems, quality and quantity, water management and stewardship, as well as the historical, societal, and cultural connections between water, people, and communities. Materials and training provided during this professional development workshop meet PI34 Teacher Standards. Workshop participants will become familiar with the Project WET curriculum and activity guide, participate in a variety of activities from the guide and learn how to implement these activities with students. In addition, participants will learn about and receive a collection of Wisconsin specific educational resources from the Department of Natural Resources that complement the activities presented in the WET guide. This workshop is open to all K-12 formal and non-formal educators. Cost $20. Contact Jayne Jenks with questions at (262) 896-8305. Register by calling 548-7801.