Environmental Literacy Training for Teachers
Heritage Conservancy’s teacher programs include hands-on field work and actionable plans for the classroom.
STEELS Standards and MWEE Framework
Environmental Literacy is becoming increasingly important in today’s classrooms. Heritage Conservancy shares its years of expertise, a multitude of resources, and practical training sessions in support of new and emerging educational standards.
What is STEELS?
Pennsylvania recently adopted new standards for STEELS: Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability. The approach calls for hands-on, inquiry-based learning that encourages students to see and use the connections among these disciplines to be prepared to solve the problems of tomorrow.
What is MWEE?
MWEE stands for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences. The MWEE framework is student-centered, prompting learners to investigate local environmental issues in a way that leads to informed action and solutions.
Heritage Conservancy has expertise in both and works with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to share training that teachers can put to use in their classrooms to support these standards.
MWEE standards were originally developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Learn more.
Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences Ambassador Trainings
Heritage Conservancy partners with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to offer regular in-person educator workshops.
These full-day trainings help teachers, administrators, and other educators from throughout the region strengthen their students’ environmental literacy across subject areas. The impact is exponential.
Workshops focus on outdoor hands-on experiences in various natural settings. Locations include Heritage Conservancy’s nature preserves, local partners like Silver Lake Nature Center, and DCNR-managed properties like Nockamixon State Park. Participants can earn six hours of ACT 48 credits. With the completion of an additional online MWEE 101 course, they can earn additional hours to become Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences Ambassadors.
