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2012 International Coordinators' Conference Proceedings

2012 International Coordinators'
Conference Proceedings

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May 14th-17th in Deadwood, South Dakota
"A Natural Treasure"

View the conference summary.

PowerPoint Presentations and Handouts from:

Pre-Conference Workshop   General Sessions   Concurrent Sessions   Interact Sessions   Closing Session

Pre-Conference Workshop

Focus on Forests
The pre-conference workshop focused on Black Hills Forest Ecology, allowing participants to gain a better understanding of local environmental issues and knowledge through demonstrations of targeted forest activities from the PLT guides. Participants were inspired to offer forest-focused PLT professional development by gaining skills and sparking new ideas, including how to create agendas and flyers, structure activities, and gain support. Activities included hiking, interpretive trails, classroom activities, and visiting a forest plagued by mountain pine beetles. 
     - Carson Engelskirger, Black Hills Forest Resource Association
     - Jessica Halverson, Wyoming PLT
     - Jaclyn Stallard, National Project Learning Tree
     - Al Stenstrup, National Project Learning Tree

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General Sessions

Conference Welcome and Strategic Plan Kick-Off
Participants received a formal welcome from American Forest Foundation Staff and the South Dakota hosts. The new 2012 to 2015 PLT Strategic Plan was introduced and discussion held on implementation at the state and national levels.
     - Dianne Miller, South Dakota Project Learning Tree
     - John Burke, American Forest Foundation Board of Trustees
     - Frank Gallagher, American Forest Foundation Board of Trustees, PLT Education Operating Committee
     - Tom Martin, American Forest Foundation
     - Kathy McGlauflin, National Project Learning Tree

PLT Strategic Plan Implementation
Input and ideas were collected on how to achieve the Strategic Plan's goals and objectives.
     - John Burke, American Forest Foundation Board of Trustees
     - Frank Gallagher, American Forest Foundation Board of Trustees, PLT Education Operating Committee
     - Tom Martin, American Forest Foundation
     - Kathy McGlauflin, National Project Learning Tree

 

The Black Hills Yesterday & Today
We’ll see the Places We Live module in action as we learn about the history of the Black Hills region through "then and now" photos, taken from precisely the same angle but up to 135 years apart in time. These photo pairs reveal amazing changes and surprising similarities between past and present: Towns that have grown up since the gold rush days, others that have disappeared entirely, and increased growth of Ponderosa pine trees since natural forest fires have been suppressed for more than 100 years. Also learn about the discoveries made along the trail of Custer's 1874 Expedition, which explored and mapped the Black Hills and triggered the gold rush here.   
     - Paul Horsted, Dakota Photographic LLC & Golden Valley Press

 

Living Diversity Out Loud
Often times diversity is embedded within the conceptual framework or mission statement and goals of organizations and education institutions, and yet their practices demonstrate a lack of commitment. Dr. Dodo Seriki’s address will highlight ways in which institutions and organizations can move beyond using diversity as a means to an end, and live it out loud, particularly in the context of STEM education.
     - Vanessa Dodo Seriki, Ph.D., University of Houston – Clear Lake


PLT GreenSchools!
The new PLT Strategic Plan identifies diversity as a key concept for moving forward successfully. We will explore how PLT GreenSchools! cultivates diversity, inclusiveness, and accessibility at all participating schools. Help provide ideas and feedback on how PLT state programs can use GreenSchools! to reach diverse audiences.
     - Laura Downey, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
     - Amtchat Edwards, USDA Forest Service
     - James McGirt, National Project Learning Tree
     - Al Stenstrup, National Project Learning Tree

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Concurrent Sessions

Youth in the Great Outdoors: Engaging, Educating,and Employing Young People with the FWS
This session will provide an overview of the Youth in the Great Outdoors Initiative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Participants will learn how to leverage FWS expertise, information, and funding resources. Recruiting and training the agency’s employees and volunteers to be effective PLT facilitators will be given special focus, including how to navigate the Federal infrastructure to find the most qualified individuals. Current strategies for integrating career opportunities into PLT programming will also be discussed.
     - Drew Burnett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

 

PLT Program Evaluation: What Do Funders Want and Can You Give it to Them?
Want to Know and Can You (Provide the Data to) Give It to Them? Ever wonder what kind of information is really meaningful to potential PLT funders? Must data be statistically valid? Is less formal information acceptable? And how may education results best be communicated to business people? Industry and private forest sector companies are funders of PLT in Oregon, Georgia, and Idaho. When asked by funders to find out if PLT is delivering “expected value,” we asked what information the funders needed. We researched evaluation strategies and learned some techniques for communicating results. Come to this session to learn about the approaches we took and our most valuable takeaways.
     - Norie Dimeo-Ediger, Oregon Forest Resources Institute
     - Carla Rapp, Georgia Forestry Association
     - Michelle Youngquist, Idaho Forest Products Commission

 

 Use STEM to Differentiate a PLT Activity? Yes! And It’s Easy!
Looking for practical and proven ideas to integrate STEM into your PLT professional development? Find out how teachers can connect all disciplines using STEM (while also drawing on the Common Core State Standards) as guidelines. We will spend time looking closely at “How Big Is Your Tree?” to show how PLT activities can be used to spark interest in STEM. You will also receive real-life examples related to assessments, professional growth plans, and more.
     - John Hunt, Mississippi College
     - Kelli McGaha-Martin, Wooster Elementary School
     - Jennifer Richardson, Wooster Elementary School

 

Show Me the Money
This session will examine a case study for how PLT State Programs can raise money to sustainably fund their programs based on their program structure as well as potential revenue sharing models.
     - Laura Downey, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
     - Laura Tuel, American Forest Foundation


Preparing the Next PLT Generation to Use Technology Connections
Training PLT facilitators and educators to use technology has the capability to expand student learning and increase teacher effectiveness. Using interactive software, participants will evaluate their own use of technology and examine the characteristics of PLT educators who are most likely to implement it. Participants will then compare their personal evaluation results with data collected from a national survey of PLT coordinators, facilitators, and educators, and depart empowered to embrace technology when leading PLT workshops.
     - Kris Irwin, University of Georgia


Why PLT Works in the Classroom
Did you know the fourth grade class at St. Paul Lutheran School in Lakeland, Florida, achieved the nation’s highest score on the Iowa Basic in Science, thanks to PLT? Join us to learn about the PLT whole school pedagogy embraced by St. Paul, and how it resulted in not only the highest score in science, but also above-average scores in social studies, reading, and math, as well. Take away some ideas on how to market PLT’s effectiveness on student performance!
     - Deb Wagner, St. Paul Lutheran School

 

STEM: Not Something You Find on a Plant
This session will focus on two questions: “What exactly is STEM education?” and “How can you use it to reach educators?” We will also examine several PLT activities and the GreenSchools! investigations to determine which support STEM education and how to use this approach when marketing PLT to administrators and teachers.
     - Laura Downey, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
     - Brenda Weiser, University of Houston – Clear Lake

 

Using PLT to Address Concerns in Underserved Communities
Utah is using PLT’s Municipal Solid Waste module to help establish long-term solutions for decreasing litter and increasing recycling in underserved communities. This session will discuss the methods, strategies, and PLT activities used to execute this project and discuss how other states can use PLT activities and GreenSchools! to enhance community wellbeing. Participants will walk away with ideas to empower citizens with the tools they need to address environmental issues, all using PLT and GreenSchools!
     - Andree’ Walker Bravo, Utah Society for Environmental Education
     - James McGirt, National Project Learning Tree

 

Welcome to Behavior Management
This session is designed to equip PLT facilitators with some essential tools for maintaining positive behaviors among workshop participants. We will examine and discuss flexifying your agenda, controlling the available workspace, boundaries and parameters, motivational techniques, and attention grabbers, among other things. Join us to add a few tools to your
facilitator bag of tricks!
     - Amtchat Edwards, USDA Forest Service

 

Creatively Put Your PLT Workshops into Words!
Spark your workshops with creative writing from start to finish. You can have fun with Pantoums and Cinquains… but can one really evaluate a workshop using creative writing and poetry? We will discover ways to assess workshop success using participant writing. We are here to show you that it works! Experience and receive proven templates to use in your workshops, and take home a Writing Idea packet. Come and discover the writer in you!
     - Nancy Speck, PLT-Ohio Board
     - Sue Wintering, Ohio Department of Natural Resources


Gearing Up: Probing Your Way through PLT
This session will demonstrate how technology can enrich science content in several PreK-8 activities. We will use carbon dioxide and oxygen probes to measure ambient air changes related to photosynthesis. This easy-to-use equipment offers various ways to integrate mathematics and data representation into many PLT activities. Participants will have the opportunity to practice using the probeware and compare results.
     - Cindy Ghent, Towson University
     - Sarah Haines, Towson University

 

Telling the PLT Story
To support you in your work and get PLT into more classrooms across America, we need to tell a powerful and emotionally compelling story about how PLT works and its impact on the students and teachers we support. Join us in an interactive session and together we will identify compelling messages that describe the PLT program to a variety of different audiences who need to know about PLT for a variety of reasons. AFF Communications will then create a PLT Branding, Messaging, and Style Guide for your use.
     - Vanessa Bullwinkle, American Forest Foundation
     - Jaclyn Stallard, National Project Learning Tree

 

Communicating Risk with PLT
The earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, brought to life risk communication and acknowledgment issues, not only for Japan, but also for the world. Although success stories can be found, most experts say advancements must be made in how risk is communicated… and we have a long way to go. This session will explore the recent PLT “Focus on Risk” interviews and workshops conducted abroad. Come learn from PLT’s partners in Japan about what their local risk experts advise and pick up some guidelines for risk communication teaching materials.
     - Naoko Kakuta, International Education Resource and Innovation Center
     - Keiichi Sato, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

 

We Have Hybrid Cars, Dogs, and Vegetables.
Why Not PLT Workshops Too? Maybe you’ve used PLT with preservice students or maybe you’ve organized a PLT online workshop… but have you ever thought about combining the two? Texas PLT has organized a PLT online workshop for education majors at Stephen F. Austin State University. Join us to learn about how students are using their computers to participate in PLT activities that will be used to teach students at a (real, nonvirtual!) outdoor event. All participants will
receive copies of the online training materials to help replicate this model.
     - Cheryl Boyette, Texas PLT Steering Committee
     - John Boyette, Texas Forest Service
     - Alan B. Sowards, Stephen F. Austin State University

Connecting PLT and STEM using Biomimicry
Biomimicry is an approach in which engineers and biologists work together to identify and apply “nature-inspired solutions” to problems. This interactive session will highlight ways to integrate PLT and STEM-related standards using Biomimicry as a basis. Participants will receive a document cross-referencing PLT activities to Biomimicry and STEM topics, as well as recommendations for supporting children’s literature books.
     - Mary Ball, Carson-Newman College
     - Cindi Smith-Walters, Middle Tennessee State University


Striking It Rich with PLT EC!
Did you know that 12 states now have PLT’s Early Childhood workshops as their number one seller over all other PLT workshops (even the PreK-8 Guide)?! So if you haven’t already, jump on the bandwagon and strike it rich with PLT EC! Learn how to combine nature with active learning in Early Childhood settings while also meeting required educational standards. We have come to share helpful tips and quick tricks when it comes to exploring nature with kids up to age six.
     - Brandy Vavruska, West Elementary School, South Dakota
     - Laurie Root, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

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Interact Sessions

Common Core and PLT
The correlations project for the Common Core standards for both Language Arts and Mathematics are now complete for PLT‘s PreK-8 Activity Guide! Come and get a first look at the correlations and take advantage of an opportunity to offer feedback. We can chat about the development and progress of the Next Generation Science Standards, as well.
     - Jaclyn Stallard, National Project Learning Tree


Learning Stations - An Inquiry Strategy Model
Using Learning Stations to engage students (and educators!) in guided inquiry can be a successful model for instruction. Join us for an introduction to five Learning Stations modified for the PLT Facilitator audience, and walk away with ideas for active participant engagement. No PowerPoints, no group work, and no sitting!!
     - Mike Mansour, Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

 

Planning to Plan
Come join us to discuss implementation of the new PLT Strategic Plan. We need your thoughts and comments as we move forward! We will continue the discussions begun earlier in the conference during our Strategic Planning General Sessions.
     - Esther Cowles, National Project Learning Tree Consultant
     - Norie Dimeo-Ediger, Oregon Forest Resources Institute
     - Kathy McGlauflin, National Project Learning Tree

 

Simple Steps to Advocacy
Being an advocate can seem daunting—or worse yet—impossible! Come learn about the advocacy tools AFF provides to support environmental education and make advocacy as easy as possible for every PLT State Coordinator. We will review step-by-step ways to get involved, both at home and nationally. You will be surprised to learn just what being an
advocate really means!
     - Christine Cadigan, American Forest Foundation

 

State-Specific Supplements to Project Learning Tree
Florida and Michigan PLT worked with partners to develop state-specific supplemental materials on local forest ecology and forest health. The resulting PLT supplements contain new activities and extensions to PLT PreK-8 activities and can complement existing science curricula. Although these materials are developed for specific state forests, they can be
adapted to any region. Join us to review the supplements and learn about adaptation techniques.
     - Nancy Peterson, University of Florida
     - Ada Takacs, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
 

 

STEM in the Schoolyard
Using a backyard or schoolyard to enhance PLT activities is not only cost- and timeefficient; it offers a springboard to student pride and ownership. Join our discussion on ways to creatively embrace STEM via these local outlets AND the service projects they foster.
     - Amtchat Edwards, USDA Forest Service

Talking Turkey About Our Forests with the National Wild Turkey Federation
Once at the brink of extinction, the wild turkey has made a remarkable comeback. Learn how you can teach forest management principles through this wildlife conservation success story. Ideas and resources worth strutting about will be shared during this FUN session!
     - Christine Rolka, National Wild Turkey Federation

Technology Crash Course
Have questions about the new PLT website? Coordinators’ Corner? National PLT’s database capabilities? We have incorporated a lot of changes in the last year, so stop by to learn about new updates and what’s in store for the future.
     - Diane Brown-Tapia, American Forest Foundation
     - Kyle Cooper, National Project Learning Tree

Using Citizen Science Initiatives to Enhance Your Program
Citizen science initiatives offer another way to practice field science. This discussion will present information on four different citizen science initiatives: World Water Monitoring Day, Shout Tree Banding, CoCoRaHS, and Journey North. Join us to learn how to use these programs to integrate real-world data collection opportunities into your PLT programs.
     - Anne Lewis, South Dakota Discovery Center

 

Using Forest Action Plans to Strengthen Local Connections
Many state forestry agencies have identified education and outreach as key initiatives in their Forest Action Plans (FAPs). This discussion will look at a few FAPs and identify what PLT workshop themes, activities, and service learning projects can come from them. Ways to use FAPs to strengthen partnerships with forestry agencies will also be addressed.
     - Susan Cox, USDA Forest Service

 

Words to Live By: A Tribute to Wangari Maathai
Looking for new ways to share a familiar PLT activity? An extensive collection of quotations from Wangari Maathai have been selected to add depth to Focus on Forests’ “Words to Live By” activity. Join us to review the quotes and a process of using them to enhance workshops.
     - Al Stenstrup, National Project Learning Tree

 

Working with Preservice Faculty: Two Decades Later
In the 1990s, California PLT began recruiting university faculty involved with teacher preparation to use PLT. Later, we teamed up with Projects WILD and WET to have 30 active faculty members who offer PLT in many kinds of preservice courses. In 2011, we conducted a survey of 60 faculty members to determine how they use PLT. This session will summarize findings and provide insight on the efficacy of these efforts.
     - Kay Antunez, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

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Closing Session

Closing Session: See You Next Year!
Join us for some closing remarks as we reflect on the 2012 PLT Conference events and plan for the year ahead. We will formally thank our wonderful South Dakota hosts and receive a warm welcome from our Alabama partners for next year’s 27th Annual PLT International Coordinators’ Conference!
     - Chris Erwin, Alabama Forestry Association
     - Dianne Miller, South Dakota Project Learning Tree
     - Kathy McGlauflin, National Project Learning Tree

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