Educators, are you looking for a thoughtful curriculum that engages students and connects them to their local communities and environment? Join professionals from DCNR Bureau of State Parks as we explore Pennsylvania's water basins and watersheds. This hybrid Watershed Education (WE) workshop is open to educators working with students in grades 6 – 12. 

Watershed Education (WE) is an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary curriculum developed by the DCNR Bureau of State Parks to help educators utilize local natural resources as valuable teaching tools. By blending hands-on classroom and field investigations modeled on professional research methodologies, students participate in data collection and analysis, community networking and partnerships, stewardship and service-learning activities. WE promotes in-depth, multi-modal learning and understanding of water resources while encouraging students to examine their watershed holistically.

By attending this workshop, participants will:

• Receive a copy of the Watershed Education curriculum
• Earn 12.5 Act 48 hours (certified PA teachers)
• Conduct a biological survey
• Measure physical stream parameters
• Determine stream chemistry
• Learn how WE programs fit within the MWEE framework and STEELS standards

This hybrid workshop format is made up of three parts, for a total of 12.5 hours of training. 

• One virtual session (2.5 hours - attend live) and
• Homework assignments (3 hours - to be completed before virtual session and the field day) and
• One in-park field day (7 hours)

All three parts – virtual session, homework, and field day – must be completed for participants to receive curriculum book and/or participant certificate.

Workshop Fee:

• $20.00 payable in advance

Dates and Locations:

• Virtual session: Wednesday, July 16, 2025; 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm live on Teams
• Field Day: Friday, July 25, 2025; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at Ricketts Glen State Park

How to Register

• Click on the Buy Tickets link above
• Registration closes on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, or earlier if maximum group size of 15 is reached.

Questions?

Contact Rhiannon Summers at rhsummers@pa.gov or 570-477-7780.