Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
Courses and Workshops
Winter/Spring 2015
Register for all courses on PDO.
Teachers of sixth grade residential Outdoor Environmental Education will have priority.
Outdoor Education Organizer Meeting; Course # 54153, Section # 98992
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 3:45–5:45 p.m.
Participants: Local School Outdoor Education Organizers from every school attending the residential
program January–June, 2015.
Participants will review new policies and procedures, as well as be introduced to significant changes in core
lessons for the 2014–2015 residential program. New local school organizers are encouraged to stay for 30
minutes after the general meeting for additional guidance and support.
EE-02 Teaching Techniques for Outdoor Environmental Education;
Course # TBD, Section # TBD
Thursday, February 12–Thursday, May 7, 2015
Participants will learn about all aspects of the Grade 6 Residential Outdoor Environmental Education Program
(OEEP) with emphasis on content, instructional techniques, and management strategies that will help teachers
engage students in vigorous learning while teaching in a unique setting. Since the outdoor environment
provides an integrated context for learning at Outdoor Education, participants will learn how to use outdoor
explorations as authentic experiences in which to teach MCPS curriculum through well-designed, rigorous
lesson plans. Course participants also will be introduced to resources and technology that are available to help
teachers prepare and teach effectively at the residential OEEP, including an overnight session to demonstrate
evening lessons. Full attendance is expected. No Overlaps.
Bluebirds in the Schoolyard; Course # 64438, Section # 98993
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Bluebird boxes engage students in outdoor observation, authentic data collection, and environmental
stewardship. Teachers will build a bluebird box, learn how to use the bluebird box as a learning tool integrated
into the curriculum, and take a bluebird box back to school.
Food Web (Predator/Prey); Course # 50893, Section # 98994
Saturday, March 7, 2015 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Voluntary workshop for teachers who are interested in teaching the predator/prey simulation lesson that is used
during the residential outdoor education experience for sixth grade students. The simulation supports the
populations and diversity concepts in the sixth grade science curriculum and provides students with an engaging
and thought-provoking glimpse into how food webs work and function. Teachers who complete this workshop
will be able to conduct the simulation during their students' sixth grade residential experience. The workshop
will focus on organizing the experience for maximum educational value and safety.
Treasure Earth (Amazing Race): Geocaching Workshop; Course # 84946, Section # 98995
Saturday, March 7, 2015 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
For teachers of 6th grade Outdoor Environmental Education who are interested in teaching geocaching during
the residential outdoor education experience. Students will learn to use GPS units along with a map and
Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
Spring 2015 Courses & Workshops
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compass to find hidden tasks to complete. Students can complete a set of specific STEM tasks or the tasks can
be related to your content area.
Patterns of Settlement Workshop
Thursday, March 12, 2015 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Exploring the Watershed at Skycroft Workshop
Thursday, March 19, 2015 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Confidence Course Recertification; Course # 50890, Section # 98996
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 4:00–7:00 p.m.
In order to maintain the ability to use the confidence course for instruction, staff members need to complete a
three-hour re-certification course every three years. Instructors certified in, or prior to, March 2011, are due for
recertification. This voluntary course is for MCPS Outdoor Environmental Education certification only.
Available only to those who have taken EE-06 Confidence Course training.
Outdoor Environmental Education Program (OEEP) and Grade 6 Student Service
Learning (SSL) Hours
Thursday, April 16, 2015 4:00–7:00 p.m.
This voluntary workshop will enable Grade 6 teachers to facilitate student completion of the Grade 6 student
service learning (SSL) requirement during the three-day Outdoor Environmental Education Residential
Program. Instructors will model teaching new SSL lessons using hands-on experiences and will supply teachers
with lesson templates and resources.
Stream Study or Pond Study Workshop
Thursday, April 30, 2015 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Voluntary workshop for teachers who are interested in conducting a stream study with their students. This
workshop will focus on techniques for conducting a macroinvertebrate survey, chemical analysis, and stream
buffer analysis of a local stream in order to determine the health of the local watershed. Food web and food
chain concepts will be reinforced through identification of the organisms in a stream ecosystem. The
environmental impact of various pollutants will be discussed.
EE-06, Confidence Course Instructor’s Workshop; Course # TBD, Section # TBD
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 17-19, 2015
This one-credit CPD course provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for using the
confidence course for instruction at all outdoor environmental education sites. Participants are involved in
small group activities that demonstrate the proper procedures and safety requirements for the appropriate and
successful use of the confidence course. Participants are coached in how to use the confidence course to teach
communication skills, problem solving strategies, and promote overall team building skills. Completion of this
course is required for any staff intending to utilize the confidence course with adults or students.
Register for all courses on PDO.
Teachers of sixth grade residential Outdoor Environmental Education will have priority.