Project Learning Tree Project Learning Tree is an education program designed for teachers and others working with youth from pre-school through 12th grade. Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from pre-school through 12th grade.

PLT enhances existing curricula Project Learning Tree PLT enhances existing curricula PLT helps students learn how to think, not what to think, about the environment. PLT enhances existing curricula by using the forest as a “window on the world” to increase students’ understanding of our complex environment, to stimulate critical and creative thinking, to develop the ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues, and to instill the confidence and commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment. PLT helps students learn how to think, not what to think, about the environment.

Designed for hands-on, activity based learning. Project Learning Tree PLT was founded in 1973 Designed for hands-on, activity based learning. Implemented through a trained volunteer network International programs available in the U.S. Territories, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Japan, and Brazil. PLT was founded in 1973 and was designed to be a supplementary curriculum program using hands-on, activity based learning. The program is implemented through a trained volunteer network that operates in all 50 states. To date, there are over 500,000 trained educators for PLT. The program is also international with programs being available in the U.S. Territories, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Japan, and Brazil.

Equip students to address environmental issues Project Learning Tree Goals Equip students to address environmental issues Enable students to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills to resolve environmental problems. Help students acquire an appreciation and tolerance of diverse viewpoints on environmental issues Goals Provide students with the awareness, appreciation, understanding, skills and commitment to address environmental issues. Enable students to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills to resolve environmental problems. Help students acquire an appreciation and tolerance of diverse viewpoints on environmental issues, and develop attitudes and actions based on analysis and evaluation of the available information. Encourage creativity, originality and flexibility to resolve environmental problems and issues. Inspire and empower students to become responsible, productive and participatory members of society.

Project Learning Tree Goals Encourage creativity, originality and flexibility to resolve environmental problems and issues. Inspire and empower students to become responsible, productive and participatory members of society.

PLT meets state and national education standards. Project Learning Tree PLT meets state and national education standards. Curriculum provides necessary tools Covers all aspects of the environment: forests, wildlife, water, energy conservation, etc… PLT meets state and national education standards. The interdisciplinary curriculum materials provide the tools educators need to bring the environment into the classroom and their students into the environment.  This is not a “Tree” program but covers all aspects of the environment. Topics range from forests, wildlife, and water, to community planning, waste management and energy conservation.

Environmental Education Stages of Learning Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Stages of Learning SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENT PROBLEMS AWARENESS (appreciation) KNOWLEDGE (understanding) ATTITUDE (values & feelings) SKILL (identify problems) PARTICIPATION (acquire experience and take action)

PLT can be used in a variety of contexts Project Learning Tree PLT can be used in a variety of contexts PLT has a reputation for both balance and breadth of the information on topics covered. Students make new discoveries Educators guide students toward new conceptual understanding through critical thinking and creative problem solving. PLT can be used in a variety of contexts, from rural to urban and can also be used in formal and non-formal settings. PLT has a reputation for both balance and breadth of the information on topics covered. Students construct new knowledge by combining previous knowledge with new discoveries. Educators guide students toward new conceptual understanding through critical thinking and creative problem solving.

A Highly Effective Delivery Network for Information and Education Project Learning Tree A Highly Effective Delivery Network for Information and Education

Secondary modules available too! Project Learning Tree Secondary modules available too! PLT offers Secondary modules for Jr. & Sr. High School educators focusing on a variety of topics. These materials are also correlated to state and national education frameworks.

PLT also offers curriculum for Early Childhood Learners from ages 3-6 Project Learning Tree PLT also offers curriculum for Early Childhood Learners from ages 3-6

The PLT Activity Guide has Five Themes: Diversity Interrelationships Project Learning Tree The PLT Activity Guide has Five Themes: Diversity Interrelationships Systems Structure and Scale Patterns of Change

Each PLT activity will include: Project Learning Tree Each PLT activity will include: Title Overview Sidebar Objectives Assessment Opportunities Background Getting Ready Doing the Activity Variations Enrichment Reading Connections Each PLT activity has the same overall format and appearance in the Activity Guide. Each activity will include: Title Overview Sidebar Objectives Assessment Opportunities Background Getting Ready Doing the Activity Variations Enrichment Reading Connections

Title: the “attention grabber” relating to activity’s content Project Learning Tree Title: the “attention grabber” relating to activity’s content Overview: brief description of the activity Sidebar: found on the first page of each activity and contains the fooling information: Level Subjects Concepts Skills Materials Time Considerations Related activities Title: the “attention grabber” that relates to the activity’s content Overview: brief description of the activity Sidebar: found on the first page of each activity and contains the fooling information: Level: indicates recommended grade levels for various parts of the activity. Subjects: indicates the subjects that the activity incorporates (i.e. mathematics, science, social studies, etc.) Concepts: lists the concepts that the activity addresses Skills: lists the thinking processes and skills that the activity develops (i.e. reasoning, observing, etc.) Materials: lists the materials needed to do the activity Time Considerations: recommends time allotments for each part of the core activity, including preparation. Related activities: lists other PLT activities that address closely related topics

Getting Ready: describes how to prepare Project Learning Tree Objectives Background Assessment Opportunities: provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge they have gained. Getting Ready: describes how to prepare Doing the Activity: provides step-by-step procedures for leading the activity Objectives: states the content objectives targeted in the activity Background: contains relevant information that provides the teacher with an understanding and perspective for engaging the class in the activity Assessment Opportunities: Guides the educator toward assessing students’ understanding of the concepts covered in the activity and provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge they have gained. Background: contains relevant information that provides the teacher with an understanding and perspective for engaging the class in the activity. Getting Ready: describes how to prepare for teaching the activity Doing the Activity: provides step-by-step procedures for leading the activity Variations: provide alternative procedures for doing the activity having similar objectives to the core activity, but appeal to different age levels, learning styles, audiences, situations, or concerns Enrichment: contain recommendations for exercises that enrich or extend the learning experience in the activity Reading Connections: lists books that are relevant to the activity

Variations: provide alternative procedures Enrichment: suggestions for exercises to extend the learning experience Reading Connections: lists books that are relevant to the activity

Project Learning Tree National Sponsors American Forest Foundation Council for Environmental Education Society of American Foresters USDA Forest Service National Association of State Foresters National Association of Professional Forestry Schools and Colleges National Association of Conservation Districts World Forestry Center

Project Learning Tree For more information contact: Erica Cox or Janice Greene Missouri PLT State Co-Coordinators Missouri State University Department of Biology 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-4337,417-836-8886 EricaCox@missouristate.edu JaniceGreene@missouristate.edu www.plt.missouristate.edu