Ninth Annual Environmental Education Teacher Workshop

By Kathy Walker, District Administrative Coordinator, NRCS/SWCD, Madison County

School teachers value their time off during the summer, but the teachers from Madison County’s city, private, and parochial schools attending the free 9th Annual Environmental Education Teach Workshop June 11-15, 2007, were glad they signed up. This one-week workshop for K-12 teachers was packed with activities that can be replicated in the classroom. A few of the topics that were covered were Solid Waste Disposal and Re-Cycling, Soils, Ecology, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Urban Sprawl, Water Protection and Conservation, Habitat Destruction, and Geology.

Two new presentations were added to this year’s tour. Sparks Hydroponics Farm was a very popular stop for the teachers. Many stated that they were unaware that this farm even existed and plan to return with their students. Dr. Paul Davison with UNA came to help the teachers build Micro-Aquariums the wetlands area water testing kits donated by AMRV RC&D are being used.

Jim Lacefield, a science educator for more than 30 years, donated a copy of his book "Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks" to each teacher who attended the workshop. This very hands-on book can be used by all teachers in grades K-12.

"Waters to the Sea" an interactive CD was furnished to each teacher for their classroom by Brian Burgess with the Sierra Club. The CD covers wetlands, habitat destruction, and freshwater and groundwater. It can be used with a group or by individual students.

The workshop does not change much from year to year, so teachers are not eligible to attend the workshop again for at least two years. Matt Darby wrote in his workshop evaluation, "I wish I did not have to sit out two years before I can attend again." Darlene Ezell wrote, "One of the best workshops in over 1,000 hours of training." What compliments!

All teachers were thankful for the workshop opportunity. They were excited to take what they learned back to their classrooms to benefit their students.

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