Program Elements
Sustainability Summer Learning Series
Orientation: In-person onboarding sessions for the incoming cohort. These usually occur during the Sharing Celebration in June.
Introduction to Sustainability Education: 3-week asynchronous virtual learning module for new Sustainability Teacher Fellows. This course will have an expected time commitment of 5-6 hours per week during the summer.
Summer PBSE Institute: in-person workshops and networking events, usually in early August. Annually, each cohort participates in field-based and classroom professional development sessions focused on exploring PBSE. Networking events include community partner resource fairs and dinners.
PBSE Design: asynchronous design of a PBSE learning experience using provided resources and support to ensure alignment to classroom and district priorities.
Fostering Community Partnerships
Community partnerships are a cornerstone of place-based sustainability education. There are many roles that partners may play in a project.
To foster these event, fellows will engage in networking events including community partner resource fairs and professional learning opportunities.
Place-Based Sustainability Education
Classroom Support
Classroom Implementation: Teacher-led teams work together to create an engaging project centered around sustainability. Students will work to focus on a real environmental problem within their community and work to form solutions.
PBSE support includes:
Mini-grants for place-based stewardship projects
Participant stipends are provided to honor fellows time spent engaged in learning and project design outside of the school day
Virtual design consultations and school visits occur throughout the school year
Sharing Celebration
Join us for the Dow Sustainability Teacher Fellowship's in-person Sharing Celebration each June.
Educators and community partners share about the sustainability education projects they have implemented that school year as part of their participation in the program.
This event is designed to celebrate the creativity and dedication the educators have demonstrated as they found ways to engage their students - from elementary to high schoolers - in contributing to a sustainable future for their communities!
Fellows, program partners, community partners, and school administrators are all encouraged to join us!
