Pennsylvania Gateway to Green

Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Training
2025-05-07 08:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute, 1250 W. Sassafras Street, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, 17870, United States
When: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Susquehanna University Freshwater Research Institute, 1250 W. Sassafras Street, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers, preservice teachers, and nonformal educators.

Credits: Six Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador.

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Learn about the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) framework while following along with example MWEEs for each grade band — elementary, middle, and high school. This training also includes access to Shared Waters curriculum resources for K-6 teachers, as well as, suggested curriculum resources for middle and high school teachers. In addition, formal and nonformal educators will gain access to MWEE 101 course and have the option to become Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassadors.

Learner Outcomes

Participants in this course will learn how a MWEE can support STEELS educational standards and goals and the roles taken by students and educators to make the program successful. At the end of the course, participants will practice using the Audit Tool to review example MWEEs and the Think Cloud tool to outline their own MWEE program. Both tools are from the MWEE Planning Toolbox.

Dive Even Deeper: Watershed Literacy and Tree Plantings
2025-04-28 00:00 - 2025-04-29 23:59 | Southeast Agricultural Research, 1446 Auction Road, Manheim, Pennsylvania, 17545, United States
When: April 28 and 29, 2025.

Where: Southeast Agricultural Research, 1446 Auction Road, Manheim, PA 17545.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers and administrators, preservice teachers, and nonformal educators.

Credits: Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: $15 to cover light refreshments and lunch each day.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador.

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Join Penn State Extension, the Ag and Environment Center, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, and fellow educators from across the Commonwealth for two days of immersive, hands-on watershed learning through the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) curricular framework. The Dive Even Deeper—MWEEs and Trees Workshop is an extension of Penn State Extension’s award-winning Dive Deeper Water Educators Summit. It is designed to enhance your understanding by offering a Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador workshop, an interactive session on tree species and planting protocols, and a comprehensive checklist for planning successful planting projects. This program is designed to equip educators with the tools and knowledge needed to create impactful environmental literacy experiences.

Participants may attend one or both days of the workshop for the same cost. Those who complete both days of in-person instruction, along with the online MWEE 101 course, will be designated as Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassadors. They will also receive program materials on tree identification and planting procedures to ensure the success of youth-led tree planting projects.

Registration fee covers light refreshments and lunch each day.

Space is limited. Preregistration is required.

Connecting Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences Across the Sciences
2025-04-24 09:00 - 15:30 | Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, Pennsylvania, 19311, United States
When: Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers, administrators and curriculum designers, preservice teachers, and nonformal educators.

Credits: Six Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free, including lunch.

MWEE Designation: MWEE Introduction.

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Explore the connections between Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) and key science disciplines, chemistry, physics, and biology, in this hands-on workshop. The day will begin with an in-depth introduction to MWEEs, followed by multiple outdoor learning experiences that highlight real-world applications of scientific concepts in watershed education.

Participants will also learn about local environmental issues and how they can be integrated into student investigations. With Pennsylvania’s STEELS Standards taking effect next year, this workshop will provide valuable strategies for incorporating three-dimensional learning into your science curriculum. Lunch will be provided, as well as, time to reflect on the day’s experiences.

Supporting Environmental Literacy Across the Curriculum With the MWEE Framework
2025-04-09 09:00 - 15:30 | Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, Pennsylvania, 19007, United States
When: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, PA 19007.

Audience: Grades 3-12 classroom teachers and nonformal educators.

Credits: Six Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free, including lunch.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador.

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The environment provides endless opportunities for authentic learning experiences that support your entire curriculum. When students learn through systemic and well-designed environmental education, they build background content knowledge to support literacy, experience authentic, hands-on learning that advances STEM and promotes career readiness.

Recognizing the complexities of implementing student-driven, authentic, and locally relevant environmental education that meets academic goals, we will explore the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE). This well-established framework provides the structure and resources to support integrating environmental education in schools that aligns to Pa. STEELS Standards, including the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability domain.

This workshop will include an outdoor field experience — participants should dress appropriately. The MWEE team will follow up with site-specific details prior to the workshop date.

This workshop is provided in partnership with Heritage Conservancy and supported by their Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Education Grant.

Questions? Please contact Events@BucksIU.org.

Bringing MWEE to Life!
2025-03-18 09:00 - 15:30 | Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, Pennsylvania, 15050, United States
When: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050.

Audience: Grades 3-12 classroom teachers.

Credits: Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador.

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Join Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) and Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit (BVIU) in partnership with Jennings Environmental Education Center and Raccoon Creek State Park for a FREE and engaging meaningful, relevant, and real watershed education experience! This session is limited to 20 participants due to available space.

Join us to learn how to successfully implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in your classroom, while fully engaging in each element of a MWEE on-site. MWEEs fully support the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability domain in the new PA STEELS Standards.

Shared Waters - Environmental Literacy Curriculum for Grades 3-6
2025-02-27 08:30 - 15:00 | Montour Preserve, 374 Preserve Road, Danville, Pennsylvania, 17821, United States
When: Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Montour Preserve, 374 Preserve Road, Danville, PA 17821

Audience: 3-6 classroom teachers.

Credits: Six Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: MWEE and EL&S Special Topics and Deeper Dives.

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Join us for an engaging and hands-on professional development day designed to empower elementary educators (grades 3-6) to bring the Shared Waters curriculum to life in their classrooms. This curriculum seamlessly integrates Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) into school programs, fostering environmental literacy and sustainability among students. As part of this training, teachers will receive a classroom kit (worth $1,000) of supplies to be able to implement in their classroom tomorrow!

Through interactive sessions, collaborative activities, and expert guidance, teachers will leave equipped with the tools and confidence to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards—all while meeting educational standards and creating meaningful learning experiences.

Let’s work together to transform classrooms into hubs for sustainability and real-world problem-solving!

MWEE Educator Workshop
2025-02-14 09:00 - 15:00 | Greenwood Furnace State Park, 15795 Greenwood Road, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, 16652, United States
When: Friday, February 14, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Greenwood Furnace State Park, 15795 Greenwood Road, Huntingdon, PA 16652.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers and nonformal educators.

Credits: Five and a half Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: MWEE Introduction.

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Join us for a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE), in-person at Greenwood Furnace! Learn how to integrate hands-on, real-world water science and stewardship activities into your curriculum this winter. Field experiences to include Winter Salt Watch and leaf packs.

Participants will receive the MWEE Educational Guide and supplemental materials. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be provided.

Registration is required by February 7.

For more information or to register, email Jen Moore at jennmoore@pa.gov.

Northwest Pennsylvania MWEE Ambassador Workshop
2024-11-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Brown’s Farm at Asbury Woods, 5774 Sterrettania Road, Fairview, Pennsylvania, 16415, United States
When: Monday, November 25, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Brown’s Farm at Asbury Woods, 5774 Sterrettania Road, Fairview, PA 16415.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers and administrators, preservice teachers, and nonformal educators.

Credits: Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador.

Register Now

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Grab your muck boots and join us in the creek at Brown’s Farm at Asbury Woods for this Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience training. Come have a splash as you learn engaging ways to meet the new Pa. STEELS Standards.

Email Rebecca Schauffele to register for this free event.

STEELS in Action: Coding, Robotics, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability
2024-11-22 09:00 - 12:15 | Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5, 252 Waterford Street, Edinboro, Pennsylvania, 16412, United States
When: Friday, November 22, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Where: Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5, 252 Waterford Street, Edinboro, PA 16412.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers, administrators and curriculum designers, and preservice teachers.

Credits: Three Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: MWEE and EL&S Special Topics and Deeper Dives

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Join us for this STEM professional development session to learn about our new Lending Library Climate Action Kits and be empowered to integrate STEELS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Mathematics) standards into your teaching.

The kit features over 20 standards-aligned lessons that incorporate coding and robotics, allowing educators to engage students in real-world applications related to climate change. By aligning with STEELS standards, the kit helps teachers foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills and three dimensional learning all whilst addressing environmental issues. The kit is for grades 3-12.

Pennsylvania Land Choices: MWEE/STEELS Educator Workshop
2024-11-19 08:45 - 15:30 | Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth, Pennsylvania, 18064, United States
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth, PA 18064.

Audience: Grade 6-12 classroom teachers and nonformal educators.

Credits: Five and a half Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free, including lunch.

MWEE Designation: MWEE and EL&S Special Topics and Deeper Dives

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Pennsylvania Land Choices is an educational curriculum developed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks as a tool for teachers to educate students in grades 6-12 about land use, land conservation, and sustainable communities.

This workshop will focus on how PA Land Choices can be used to support Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) and meet Pennsylvania’s new Environmental Literacy and Sustainability standards (STEELS) by providing a structure for defining local issues, conducting community investigations, synthesizing findings, and conducting environmental action projects.

Lunch is provided, as well as stipends to cover substitute costs. Each participant will receive the DCNR PA Land Choices educational guide, maps, & other resources.

Registration is required by November 11th. For more information or to register, contact Lauren Forster at laforster@pa.gov or (610) 746-2801.

Learn How to Successfully Implement MWEEs in Your Classroom
2024-10-29 09:00 - 15:30 | Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, Pennsylvania, 15050, United States
When: Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Raccoon Creek State Park, 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050.

Audience: Grades 3-12 classroom teachers.

Credits: Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador

Register Now

Download Flyer

This workshop is open to Beaver Valley Intermediate Unite (BVIU) and Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) attendees. The session is limited to 20 participants due to the available space at Raccoon Creek State Park.

BVIU and IU1 are partnering with Jennings Environmental Education Center to welcome Grades 3-12 educators to engage in a FREE meaningful, relevant, and real watershed education experience!

Register and join us to learn how to successfully implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in your classroom. MWEEs fully support the Environmental Literacy and Sustainability domain in the new Pa. STEELS Standards.

Mapping MWEE's in Pa. STEELS Standards
2024-10-28 09:00 - 15:30 | Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, Pennsylvania, 19311, United States
When: Monday, October 28, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311.

Audience: K-12 classroom teachers and nonformal educators.

Credits: Six Act 48 continuing education hours will be provided for Pa. Certified Teachers.

Cost: Free, including lunch.

MWEE Designation: Pa. Certified MWEE Ambassador.

Register Now

Join us at Stroud Water Research Center, where we will examine the Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) K–12 Standards, with a focus on the environmental literacy and sustainability standards.

We’ll explore identifying natural phenomena, shifts in practices, and cross-cutting concepts specific to STEELS. Participants will engage in outdoor learning experiences and leverage these experiences for their own Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) project.

Questions? Please contact Steve Mohapp or Diana Potts.

Watershed Education on the Conestoga River
2024-07-29 - 2024-08-02 | Pennsylvania
When: July 29 to August 2, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

Where: Online assignments the week before and the week after, on the Millersville University (MU) campus, and on the Conestoga River.

Audience: This hybrid course is open to graduate students, formal and nonformal educators, and school administrators.

Credits: 3 graduate credits (equivalent to 90 hours of Act 48 for Pennsylvania Certified Teachers).

Cost: Summer tuition and fees.

This advanced course in watershed education knowledge and pedagogy will take place online, on campus, and on the water.

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