Teacher Professional Development

California Academy Of Sciences: Teacher Institute on Science and Sustainability (3-5)

Each year a select group of 3rd-5th grade teachers will embark on a two year program to become leading educators of science and sustainability.

California Academy of Sciences: Teacher Workshops (K-12)

Participate in Teacher Workshops at the Academy! Enhance your understanding of key science concepts, and learn how to better integrate standards-based science activities into your curriculum.

Center for Ecoliteracy: Schooling for Sustainability (K-12)

This three-day seminar builds on the Center for Ecoliteracy's acclaimed book, Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability.

Center for Ecoliteracy: Connecting Art, Science, and Design (K-12)

How can we help students understand nature? And how can understanding nature help us design more sustainable societies? This three-day seminar explores these vital questions at the intersection of art, science, and design.

Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) (K-12)

Spend a fully funded week in a cabin in the forest, with other educators, learning about environmental programs that will be relevant to your K-12 Curriculum. $1000 value, with a $200 stipend offered upon completion.

K-5 FOSS Life Science Professional Development (K-5)

Topics include: Becoming familiar with the kit’s standards-based experiments, learning how to navigate the teacher’s guide, managing the classroom during science lessons, learning about resources available in the FOSS website.

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center : Garden Program (K-12)

The core of OAEC’s Program is the five-day residential summer training which offers an array of skills and techniques focused on the instructional school garden, and its integration into multiple subject areas using experiential learning. Through a combination of lecture, resource materials and hands-on sessions we teach participants organic gardening, permaculture, nutrition, garden design, team building, fundraising, art in the garden, and more.

For further information about the program, please contact Lisa Preschel, School Garden Program Director at 707-874-1557, ext. 102 or lisa@oaec.org.

OCCIDENTAL ARTS AND ECOLOGY CENTER : Permaculture Program (K-12)

Program involves the teaching and facilitating the cultivation of ecological literacy and community environmental change. The national magazine Permaculture Activist calls this “a certificate course presented by a winning team of California’s most experienced teachers…OAEC has some of the most diverse gardens in North America, plus comfortable facilities for visitors.” It is common to hear our graduating permaculture students state in their evaluations, “This course has changed my life.”