The Ecology School to Host Climate Education Professional Development for Saco, Biddeford, and Dayton Teachers

The Ecology School is partnering with Saco, Biddeford, and Dayton schools to provide professional development centered on climate change education. This partnership is one of 14 that have been awarded grants from the Maine Department of Education to strengthen climate education opportunities for students across Maine. “These grants provide Maine educators and schools with the tools, resources, and partnerships they need to provide students with engaging, hands-on climate and environmental education. From the mountains to the coast, Maine has enormous natural resources for students to explore and learn from so they can be effective environmental stewards and leaders,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. 

The Ecology School will host a cohort of teachers virtually this spring to discuss climate change-specific content areas and align them with the school curriculum. In June, the teachers will convene at a Teacher Institute at River Bend Farm, home of The Ecology School, to further cover climate change content and design curriculum for the fall. “This grant will provide much needed professional development for educators to elevate the skills and content for our students. As committed partners for many years, this will continue to expand on student programs offered by The Ecology School to area school districts,” shared Meg Parkhurst, Assistant Superintendent of Saco School Department.

About The Ecology School
The Ecology School is an environmental living & learning center that inspires children and adults to think and act for building more sustainable communities by bringing people and nature together.  We provide “live what you learn” opportunities for our guests and program participants through hands-on exploration of Maine’s ecosystems, sustainable living practices, direct connection to food systems and farming along with modeling conservation-in-action. Located on the River Bend Farm, a historic 312-acre farm on a scenic bend in the Saco River, The Ecology School hosts retreats, conferences, summer camps, and school programs. For more information, visit www.theecologyschool.org.