February 12 – 16, 2024
Get ready for a week of Environmental Education Workshops at the Eastern 4-H Center. We are planning 5 days of workshops dedicated to the enhancement of programs and activities for formal and non-formal educators. Each day will provide you with program guides, activity books, and/or new methods for your classroom.
Participants should come prepared to be outside. We plan to hold workshops rain or shine, so please bring appropriate attire. Workshops will generally be from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily, with an hour-long lunch break from 12:00 – 1:00 pm; buffet-style lunch on site. All program plans and activities are set to the current North Carolina Standard Course of Study and Essential Standards. Lodging will be available throughout the week and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. All programs take place in person at the Eastern 4-H Center, 100 N. Clover Way, Columbia, NC, 27925. Pre-registration is required by Friday, February 2, 2024.
Contact Cady Breslin for more information at [email protected] or 252-797-4800.
Registration Costs
Individual workshops: Individual costs are listed below; some workshops are FREE!
Lunch: $12/person will be added to every registration. Includes garden salad, lunch entree with side selections, beverage, and dessert.
Lodging (optional): $85 per room/night Single occupancy or $125 per night/room Double Occupancy
Workshop Descriptions
Monday, February 12th (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Project Aquatic WILD – FREE Workshop + $12 lunch
Participants: minimum 5; maximum 25
The Aquatic WILD program is for formal and non-formal educators interested in teaching young people about aquatic wildlife and ecology. Aquatic WILD materials build upon developments in wildlife conservation needs as well as advances in instructional methodology in Pre-K through 12th grade education. Participants of this workshop will receive the Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide and resources. The guide contains field investigations, in step with STEM activity extensions, connections to wildlife careers, new activities on fish conservation and angling, and an increased focus on outdoor activities. This is a 6-hour workshop that counts towards CEU credits and EE Criteria I credits.
Instructors: Ashley Hamlet Town of Nashville Parks & Recreation and Cultural Resources & Courtney Felton NC Maritime Museum Beaufort
Tuesday, February 13th (9:00 am – 3:30 pm)
Project WET – FREE Workshop + $12 lunch
Maximum number of participants: 16
Are you looking for fun, back-pocket activities to engage your students to learn about water resources? Project WET is a full water literacy curriculum teeming with activities that will take your water education to the next level. From stormwater to river health, Project WET activities will keep your students’ asking questions and making connections about the value of healthy ecosystems and water resources. Participants will receive a Project WET Guide. This workshop is best for: K-12 formal & non-formal educators. This 6-hour class will serve as Criteria I credit for the NCEE certification process.
Instructors: Lauren Daniel NC Division of Water Resources & Gail Lemiec NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Wednesday, February 14th (9:00 am – 4:00 pm; lunch 12-1pm)
Sea Turtle Exploration- $25 workshop+ $12 lunch
Participants: minimum 4; maximum 20
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents Sea Turtle Exploration: a curriculum to help educators engage students in the fundamentals of STEAM through ready-to-use, standards-based lesson plans and sea turtles. Aligned with the new Common Core standards, your class will be able to “adopt” a turtle and learn about its care and growth. By adopting our sea turtle, you will receive updates with information including the turtle’s current weight and length. Each class will also receive a certificate of participation. This workshop also features a virtual tour of the Aquarium and a meet and greet with one of our sea turtles. By the end of the workshop, you will be familiar with the website and curriculum and how to implement the lessons in your own classroom. This workshop will count towards NC Environmental Education Certification (Criteria I) and consists of 6 contact hours that may count toward CEUs for teachers.
Instructor: Gail Lemiec NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Thursday, February 15th (9:00 am – 4:00 pm; lunch 12-1pm)
OWL (Outdoor Wonders and Learning) FREE Workshop + $12 lunch
Participants: minimum 4; maximum 20
Outdoor Wonders and Learning promotes science education for elementary students by recommending outdoor lessons for North Carolina teachers, pre-service teachers and non-formal educators that are carefully aligned with the Essential Standards set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. This 6-hour workshop counts towards credits for the North Carolina Environmental Educators certification and provides an online curriculum guide that can be used as a resource in providing additional interdisciplinary activities to supplement the science curriculum and connect student learning across subjects.
Instructor: Gail Lemiec NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Friday, February 16th (8:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Climate, Water, & Resilience – $Free Workshop + $12 (bagged lunch to enjoy on site or to-go)
Participants: minimum 4; maximum 20
Project WET’s supplemental hands-on, science-based Climate, Water & Resilience curriculum helps educators feel confident addressing climate change in the classroom and beyond. Aligned with Common Core and NGSS standards, this program guides teachers and students through nine engaging activities that empower them to combat climate change and build a more resilient future. The curriculum covers a wide variety of phenomena encompassed by climate change, including weather vs. climate, the greenhouse effect, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, soil moisture and agriculture, freeze-thaw cycles, aquatic invasive species, shared water resources, and waterborne disease.
Participants should bring a laptop or tablet in addition to their smartphone. We will be looking at online modules for some of the activities.
Instructor: Gail Lemiec NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
