In this episode, ISTE author James Fester joins to discuss his new book about incorporating project-based learning in environmental education to solve real-world problems. You’ll hear actionable tips you can try out right away along with interdisciplinary connections to environmental education throughout the school year.
This week’s episode is all about Project-Based Learning and Environmental Education and I’m so excited to have James Fester join in today. He wrote a new book, published by ISTE, all about this topic with Jorge Valenzuela who you might remember episode 66 of the podcast last June. This topic of environmental education is near and dear to my heart. If you joined me for a webinar in the past or Zoomed into an event you might have heard me tell the story of the worms which is inspired by my work teaching in a school where we transition from a traditional public school to a magnet school specifically with the theme of environmental stewardship.
I’m a big fan of the national parks system and have been all over the country visiting different spots and as you’ll hear me mention in this episode I must follow a few dozen National Park Service Instagram accounts. To end today’s episode you’ll hear some actionable tips — things you can try out right away and things you might want to investigate for some interdisciplinary connections to Environmental Education throughout the school year, let’s dive into this topic together with James’s interview.
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Environmental Education Tips
- First, identify community concerns.
- Next, try a PBL approach.
- Then, examine different ways to collect data.
- Finally, Find connections with local organizations
Sponsored by Teq
This episode is sponsored by Teq and I’m so excited to partner with them for a webinar series this fall. It’s totally free and you can join one or all four of these webinars covering EdTech topics like creation in the classroom, assessment tips, and more. Register for the event or sign up to view the replays on their website. Just go to otispd.com, click on Upcoming Events, and you’ll find four free webinars you can join. That’s otispd.com You can also send me a DM on Instagram and I’ll make sure to get you the link.
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Click to see the transcript
Episode Resources
- Check out James Fester & Jorge Valenzuela’s website and book
- Connect with James Fester and his co-author Jorge Valenzuela on Twitter
- Class Tech Tips Free Newsletter, EdTech Events and Workshops & Free EdTech Tools for Your Classroom
- Special Book Bonus Items
- EdTech Books by Monica Burns
- PBLWorks (Project-based learning resource)
- National Geographic
- Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
- National Park Service
- Check out the National Park Service Teacher-Rangers-Teacher Program and follow on Instagram
- Lucas Educational Research Foundation
- ISTE Standards | The Leader in Edtech Standards
- How to Incorporate Computational Thinking in Any Subject with Jorge Valenzuela (Podcast Episode)
- How Technology Plays a Role in Environmental Education with Tina Wong (Podcast Episode)
- 3 Apps for Teaching Environmental Stewardship (Blog Post)
- Nature Maestro Environmental Apps: Explore Earth’s Biomes (Blog Post)
- Quick Strategies for Virtual Walking Tours (Podcast Episode)
- Reasons to Video Conference with an Expert this Year (Podcast Episode)
- Why I’m Exciting about 360 Video in Education (Podcast Episode)
- Online Project-Based Learning for Classrooms & Distance Learning (Blog Post)
- How to Integrate Project-Based STEM Challenges into Your Teaching (Blog Post)
- 6 Creative Tools for Project-Based Learning (Blog Post)
- Tips for Project-Based Learning in Elementary & Middle School (Blog Post)
- Defined STEM Project-Based Learning Tasks (Blog Post)
- Check for Understanding During Project-Based Learning Experiences (Blog Post)
