Teacher Professional Development
Teachers netting invertebrates“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”
—Mark Van Doren

At the Missouri Botanical Garden, we regard teachers as close colleagues. The role they play in our world is simply heroic, and we thank them for their daily, unwavering commitment to creating curious, lifelong learners. To support and strengthen teachers, we offer a diversity of courses, workshops and other experiences in the summer and throughout the school year.

Some schools and districts count Garden professional development toward district-required professional development units. College credit is available for select summer workshops.

For more information, please call (314) 577-0819 or e-mail teachertraining@mobot.org.

 

At Litzsinger Road Ecology Center

The following teacher professional development workshop is offered at Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, which is managed by the Missouri Botanical Garden:

Effective Outdoor Learning
July 16–17, 2020
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
FOR TEACHERS GRADES 3 AND ABOVE
This 2-day workshop kicks off a year-long partnership with Litzsinger Road Ecology Center (LREC). Learn how to become familiar with your schoolyard and how to use it a as a rich learning environment with your students.

EOL_Photo-300x225By participating in this workshop, you may become eligible for:

  • Support from LREC staff in developing outdoor teaching and learning skills throughout the school year
  • Free field trips to the ecology center

Visit Litzsinger Road Ecology Center's website for additional details and to register.

 

Virtual Energy Efficiency Teacher Workshops

Every summer the EarthWays Center holds Energy Efficiency teacher workshops across the state to help educators explore the science behind energy and sustainability through hands-on, interactive activities and classroom lessons. Although this year's workshops are virtual, participants will be asked to engage in discussion and hands-on activities using common household materials. 

Topics and activities change every year so teachers can attend each summer, but all workshops include:

  • Background information about energy topics including forms and sources
  • Discussion of energy efficiency and conservation
  • Connections between energy, electricity, and natural gas
  • Renewable energy sources and solutions

Participants will receive:

  • A stipend* 
  • Digital copies of all lesson activities and energy curriculum
  • Energy science toolkit to get started bringing lessons to life in their classroom - these will be sent near the end of summer

*Participants must live or work in either Liberty Utilities or Spire territory to qualify for stipend and energy science toolkit.

Dates

The following workshops are sponsored by Spire.

  • June 17–18; 9–11:30 a.m. daily
  • August 4–5; 9–11:30 a.m. daily

The following workshops are sponsored by Liberty Utilities.

  • June 24–25; 9–11:30 a.m. daily
  • July 15–16; 9–11:30 a.m. daily
  • August 11–12; 9–11:30 a.m. daily

Learn more and register

Sustainability Institute for K–12 Educators

SIE-2019-Banner

Due to complications and uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic and to keep all our Sustainability-minded educators safe, we are postponing the Summer 2020 Sustainability Institute for Educators.

We will be presenting this conference next summer, June 22–24, 2021. We will be providing resources related to the topics of climate change education, environmental justice, and educational equity at webster.edu/sie. This will be dynamic content available between now and the 2021 Institute.

Equity and Justice in a Changing Climate
June 22–24, 2021

The 2021 Sustainability Institute for Educators will focus on climate change and its interconnectedness with the E's of Sustainability: Economics, Equity and Environment. Educators will discuss principles of environmental justice and the impact of climate change while empowering learners to engage in civic leadership and action. Each day will feature a mix of special guest speakers, tools and resources, field studies and hands-on experiences. This three-day Institute challenges participants to build agency for a more just and sustainable world.

$150 registration fee includes speaker fees, breakfast and lunch for all three days. Graduate credit and scholarships are available. Hosted at Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, St. Louis, Missouri.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand and face the challenges of community issues as part of the school culture
  • Recognize local resources that can support curriculum and changes for sustainability
  • Collaborate with others to empower young citizens
  • Create a community of advocates for sustainable schools and communities
  • Setting a foundation for whole school sustainability

Learn more and register: webster.edu/sie

Professional Development Outreach
Administrators—Are you looking for professional development opportunities for your staff?

The Missouri Botanical Garden's School Programs team offers topnotch STEM and inquiry training for K–12 that can be incorporated into an established professional development day or offered as an evening or weekend program at your school. Programs typically last 45–60 minutes and serve up to 30 teachers. Additional programs may be scheduled within the same day to serve larger groups.

Outreach costs for professional development programs are:

  • $150 for the first hour and $50 for each additional hour (to take place the same day).
  • $1/mile over 20 miles.

Professional development programs may be uniquely designed for your school upon request. (Additional planning costs may be incurred. These will be discussed with you prior to scheduling.)

Please call (314) 577-0819 or e-mail teachertraining@mobot.org to discuss programming options.

 

Quick Links
Online Master's Degree
Adult students studying plantsCheck out a graduate degree program that combines web-based courses through Miami University with experiential learning, internships, and field study in person at the Garden. Learn more

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This summer, join a family reading program that connects nature-inspired books with the great outdoors!
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