Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
Courses and Workshops
Fall 2013
Register for all courses on PDO.
Teachers of sixth grade residential Outdoor Environmental Education will have priority.
Outdoor Environmental Education Program (OEEP) and Grade 6 Student Service
Learning (SSL) Hours; Course # 53045, Section # 84541
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 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.
Outdoor Education Organizer Meeting; Course # 54153, Section # 84542
Thursday, August 22, 2013 3:45–5:15 p.m.
Participants: Local School Outdoor Education Organizers from every school attending the residential
program in the first semester (September 2013–January 30, 2014)
Participants will review new policies and procedures, as well as be introduced to significant changes in core
lessons for the 2013–2014 residential program. New local school organizers are encouraged to stay for 30
minutes after the general meeting for additional guidance and support.
Stream Study or Pond Study Workshop; Course # 50894, Section # 84543
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 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.
Skycroft Site Orientation; Course # 54152 , Section # 84544
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Participants will attend a site orientation at the Skycroft Outdoor Environmental Education site that will help
ensure that students receive an instructionally rigorous program in a safe and secure environment. Participants
will become familiar with the program, the site, and current security practices. Participants should dress
appropriately for touring the outdoor site.
 Participants in this session must be teachers new to the Grade 6 Residential Outdoor Environmental
Education Program (OEEP) or new to the Skycroft site.
 Participating teachers will receive a $40 stipend.
Smith Center Site Orientation; Course # 54152, Section # 84545
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Participants will attend a site orientation at the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center that will help
ensure that students receive an instructionally rigorous program in a safe and secure environment. Participants
Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
Courses and Workshops
Fall 2013
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will become familiar with the program, the site, and current security practices. Participants should dress
appropriately for touring the outdoor site.
 Participants in this session must be teachers new to the Grade 6 Residential Outdoor Environmental
Education Program (OEEP).
 Participating teachers will receive a $40 stipend.
Food Web (Predator/Prey); Course # 50893, Section # 84566
Thursday, September 12, 2013 4:00–7:00 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.
Tree Identification Using GPS for Navigation Workshop; Course # 53863, Section # 84568
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:00–7:00 p.m.
This is a voluntary workshop for teachers who are interested in teaching a tree identification lesson utilizing
GPS as a tool for navigation. The workshop will develop teachers' background knowledge and vocabulary
necessary to identify tree species. In addition, participants will learn the basics of operating the Garmin eTrex
GPS units.
Exploring Your Watershed Using Technology
Course # 50895, Section # 84571
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Voluntary workshop for teachers who will be teaching Exploring the Watershed or Patterns of Settlement. We
will begin the class with a review of using a map, compass, and GPS. Teachers will then receive instruction on
how to implement Exploring the Watershed or Patterns of Settlement. Each outdoor education site has a course
that marks special features of our local watershed or possible sites for settlement. Teachers who complete this
workshop will be able to conduct a structured exploration of the watershed or an exploration of possible
settlement sites during their students' sixth grade residential experience. The workshop will focus on organizing
the experience for maximum educational value and safety.
Confidence Course Re-Certification; Course # 50890, Section # 84572
Thursday, September 26, 2013 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, September 2010, are due
for re-certification. 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 Programs
Courses and Workshops
Fall 2013
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Survivor: Earth Workshop; Course # 54245, Section # 84573
Thursday, September 26, 2013 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Voluntary workshop for teachers planning to teach at the residential Outdoor Environmental Education Program
and who are interested in teaching the STEM lesson that focuses on precipitation in the local
environment. Students will navigate to several predetermined locations where they will use testing equipment
and make observations to determine the availability of freshwater. This class was developed as a result of a
partnership with NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement Mission and the GLOBE Program. For teachers
who attend the training, NASA is providing resource bags, which contain environmental and space related
educational materials and equipment to conduct this lesson at the home school.
EE-06-Confidence Course Instructor’s Workshop
September 28, 2013 and October 1, 3, & 8, 2013 (see times below)
This 1-credit CPD course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for
conducting confidence course activities at all of the outdoor education sites. It is designed to allow participants
to be involved in small group activities that demonstrate the proper procedures, processing, and safety
requirements for the appropriate and successful use of the confidence course. In addition, group interaction,
communication, and cooperation are emphasized, as well as overall team building and problem-solving skills.
Completion of this course is required for any staff intending to utilize the confidence course with adults or
children. This course meets Saturday, September 28, 2013 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, Tuesday, October 1,
Thursday, October 3, and Tuesday, October 8, 2013 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.