August 15th and 16th, in picturesque Battle Ground, 18 educators, along with 3 community partners, attended a Pacific Education Institute workshop on the role of Washington’s forests in climate change resiliency. PEI faculty gave presentations on local anchoring phenomena, NGSS three-dimensional formative assessment, and a solutions-oriented approach to drawing down greenhouse gases. In line with PEI’s mission, this was all built around ways to elevate student voices in their communities.
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PEI’s Lower Columbia FieldSTEM Coordinator Chad Mullen having fun at the workshop
PEI’s SOL Storylines incorporate traditional ecological knowledge, so we were honored to have Cinnamon Bear as a special guest, presenting an indigenous perspective on climate change. This multi-faceted workshop was rounded out by Steve Ogden, from the Department of Natural Resources, who took attendees on a walk in a nearby forest to explain which factors are considered when logging is approved.
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Cinnamon Bear instructs attendees on making cordage
Many of the 5-12 classroom teachers who attended will go on to implement this cutting-edge curriculum, bringing environmental awareness to students across the state.