Office of Environmental Education
If you are an educator interested in nature-based, hands-on and outdoor learning, then the Office of Environmental Education has resources that you need!
Resource Database
Great for one-stop shopping for environmental education resources in North Carolina. Here you can search a comprehensive database for the very best in environmental education curricula, field trips, outreach programs, contests and much more.
Grants
Find funding opportunities that will get your outdoor education programs and projects off the ground.
Environmental Education Centers
Did you know that there are more than 180 Environmental Education Centers across the state? These can be great places for field trips, or great community partners and resources.
Environmental Education School Directory
Do your students recycle, work to conserve water or protect air quality? Does your school have a pollinator garden, composting area, nature trail or other outdoor classroom features? The directory is a great way for schools interested in environmental education to network and learn from each other! Check out the great things schools in North Carolina are up to, or add your stellar school to the directory.
Other Sources
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
EENC’s mission is to promote excellence in professional development and facilitate networking opportunities, inspiring educators to create an environmentally literate citizenry.
EENC’s vision is to connect diverse professionals and organizations to each other and to high quality environmental education materials and programs, demonstrating leadership in North Carolina and beyond.
Natural Teacher’s Network
This site provides information for teachers to access valuable resources and share ideas with other teachers. Becoming a member of the Natural Teachers Network will allow you to join a growing movement of thousands of existing members of the Children & Nature Network and gain access to regularly updated research, tools, activities and resources.
You will receive a personalized Certificate of Participation that states for all to see what it means to be a Natural Teacher, and an “I Am a Natural Teacher” badge that you can display. You are invited to join the Natural Teachers Network’s social networking site to share with your peers your ideas, successes, and challenges in taking your students outside. You are encouraged to invite other teachers of all disciplines to join the Natural Teachers Network. There is strength in numbers and incredible creativity in diverse points of view.
What Does Environmental Education Do For Children?
K-12 students participating in environmental education programs at school do better on standardized tests in math, reading, writing, and social studies. Read more about the studies that have shown that students at schools using some kind of environment-based curriculum do better academically than their peers at traditional schools, or show improvement after the introduction of environment-based education.
North Carolina Outdoor Learning Environments Alliance
Working to improve the quality of children’s outdoor learning spaces throughout the state. The resources they offer can help create engaging outdoor environments for young children. Take a peek at these great ideas below!
- Getting Started: Ten Free and Inexpensive Ideas to Enrich Your Outdoor Learning Environment Today
- What’s in it for me? What Teachers and Caregivers Can Expect from “Taking On” the Outdoors
- FAQ Related to Outdoor Learning Environments: What the Experts Say….Let’s Dig in the Dirt!
Music for your Classroom
Founder Jenny Morgan has recorded a CD of professionally produced music, some featuring local youth singers, that will get your students up, excited about nature, and ready to head outside!
The North Carolina Zoo
The Education Section of the North Carolina Zoo facilitates a wide variety of experiences and activities within the park and beyond to help people understand the natural world. Educators promote awareness and concern for nature, placing value upon conservation of plants and animals.
Educators: Regardless of your grade level, the Zoo can help you find ways to integrate the natural world into your classroom. Have a member of our staff visit your school or bring your students to Asheboro for a unique field study project. Become involved with conservation projects in far corners of the world while Zoo lesson plans and activities help you meet North Carolina curriculum objectives.
Field Trip Earth
A global resource for teachers, students, and proponents of wildlife conservation.
Teacher and Professional Development at the Zoo
Run through the N.C. Zoo, this workshop provides educators with resources, materials and strategies to improve their ability to facilitate inquiry based investigations.
Bring the Zoo to You
Outreach programs offered by the N.C. Zoo education staff. Currently three programs are offered, click the link for details.
Keepers in the Classrooms
A program offered by the N.C. Zoo that provides the opportunity for a keeper to engage students in discussions about environmental issues relative to their won lives and specific to animals and plants exhibited at the N.C. Zoo.
EDventures @ the Zoo
These are on site programs offered at the N.C. Zoo for Kindergardeners to 8th grade age children. With eight different programs offered, your kid is sure to find one that enriches his/her desire to learn about animals and the need for health habitats.
Educator Resources
Resources collected by the N.C. Zoo for educators who are looking for new ways to inspire students.
UNITE
This program focuses on joining together students and teachers from schools in Uganada and North Carolina, to create partnerships that advance conservation education.
Homeschool Programs
Make the Zoo a part of your home school curriculum! Zoo Club will offer a program package, specifically designed to provide an enriching and engaging experience for all participants.
Professional Development
Check out the Calendar of Events for the latest professional development opportunities across the state!