Press Room

The Project Learning TreeŽ (PLT) Press Room is a resource for media, journalists, and communication professionals interested in learning more about environmental education in the United States. With more than 500,000 educators trained and using PLT environmental education materials in their classrooms, we can provide you with spokespersons, arrange interviews, discuss curriculum specifics, direct you to state or country PLT Coordinators, and provide additional information about PLT.

Developed in 1976, PLT helps students learn how to think, not what to think, about the environment. PLT, a program of the American Forest Foundation, partners with international, national, state and local partners. PLT is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SAVES THE DAY.

Becoming a Project Learning Tree (PLT)-certified school unified faculty, boosted student achievement, and saved one school from closure.
 
Read the full article (PDF, 500KB) published in the April 2007 issue of NSTA's Science & Children magazine. 
 
It describes PLT as the engine driver in the whole school improvement of Oil City Elementary Magnet School in rural northwest Louisiana. 

In 2001, faced with declining enrollment and possible closure, teachers and the administration worked together to create a school with an environmental focus.  PLT was chosen to be the catalyst because of its track record of success in total education and student achievement.  The entire faculty receives ongoing PLT professional development.  Under the leadership of Cindy Kilpatrick, the school's science coordinator, teachers align PLT activities by topic and grade level across the curriculum--inside the classroom and out.
 
In just over five years, the results have been dramatic.  Enrollment and test scores are up.  Staff, students, and parents are energized.  The community has been revitalized.  The school is receiving national recognition for its improvement.
 
PLT is a powerful tool that can be used to improve student test scores, drive whole school improvement, and support communities.  PLT's standards based curriculum, conceptual framework, and vertical alignment provide numerous opportunities for integrating environmental education into everday lessons.  For more information, visit www.plt.org and www.learnoutside.org.
 
Science & Children magazine is a premier professional journal for the teacher, principal, and supervisor concerned with teaching science at the elementary level. It is published by the National Science Teachers Association.