P.L.A.C.E. Workshops for Educators: People, Land and Community Education

Posted by on May 23, 2011

DCNR Bureau of State Parks
presents
PLACE and PA Land Choices

Contact:  Estelle Ruppert
PA Land Choices/PLACE Coordinator
eruppert@state.pa.us
717-772-1807

P.L.A.C.E. Workshops for Educators:  People, Land and Community Education…Connecting Science, Civics, and Community through Place Based Education and Service Learning.
Join the SAS Learning Community!
Act 48 and Graduate Credits Available from LVC

June 20 – 24:  Lancaster County
Partnership with Lancaster County Conservation District, Lancaster County Conservancy, LC Planning Commission and Office of Conservation Science
Contact:  Sallie Gregory, LCCD

June 24, 27 – 30:  Berks County
Partnership with Audubon PA
Nolde Forest EE Center
Berks Conservancy, Berks County Planning
Contact:  Amy Weidensaul

July 11 – 14:  Lehigh County
Partnership with Lehigh Gap Nature Center
Jacobsburg EE Center and AudubonPA
Contact:  Dan Kunkle and Bill Sweeney

August 8 – 12:  Lackawanna County
Partnership with Northeast Intermediate
Unit 19, Lackawanna State Park and Lackawanna Planning Commission/PPA
Contact:  Angela Lambert

P.L.A.C.E.- People, Land and Community Education
Connecting Science, Civics and Service through Place-based Learning
P.L.A.C.E. is coordinated statewide by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks in partnership with community based organizations and agencies. The three credit graduate course is offered in partnership with Lebanon Valley College. Contact Estelle Ruppert, PA Land Choices Coordinator, DCNR  717-576-9366 cell, 717-772-1807

Options:  (a) 3 graduate credits & 60 Act 48 hours or (b) 60 Act 48 hours /no credits/$150.00

Description of Course:
P.L.A.C.E. is a course developed for teachers in grades 6 -12 to connect place-based learning to Pennsylvania academic standards (science, technology, engineering, civics, government, geography, environment, ecology, health and wellness) by exploring landscapes and communities in Pennsylvania.  The course is designed to provide elementary, middle and high school teachers opportunities to apply content and define projects that develop the role of citizenship through community resources and investigations that will enhance student motivation and achievement.

The course is based on a text entitled Pennsylvania Land Choices which may be reviewed at http://www.palandchoices.org.  It consists of 250 pages of information and activities on understanding the role of a community to explore social studies, science, engineering, civics, and the environment.  It will be supplemented with additional resources listed.   Teachers will conduct research and participate in discussions, field experiences and hands-on activities that will guide the implementation of place-based education programs while forming new community partnerships and connections that will enhance their curriculum.  An SAS P.L.A.C.E. Learning Community will be established to increase communication and further enhance connections to SAS.

The course is designed in a learning progression, each day building on the information learned during the previous session, culminating in a final presentation and portfolio which documents learning and action.  The course begins with activities that focus on the changing landscape of Pennsylvania, the history, the people and the role of natural resources in shaping the past and the future.  Lessons and activities will involve skills in geology, map reading, aerial photography, service learning, and critical analysis of data.  The identification and importance of natural resources will be reviewed in the context of aesthetic and economic services.  Connections to current issues such as sustainability and Marcellus shale will be referenced.   Field trips to places in communities will introduce civics and government through the framework of local government structure and the decision-making process.  It is through the democratic process established in each of Pennsylvania’s 2563 municipalities, that people chart the course for the future.  Participants will review the framework of municipal government and valuable tools, local leadership and the importance of civic responsibility for advancing sustainable practices.

Incorporation of the Standards Aligned System (SAS) will be emphasized and teachers will customize an implementation plan using SAS as part of the course requirement.  A series of assignments are due at the end of the course which include the development of a portfolio, research, readings and projects for implementation in the classroom.

Audience:  Community leaders, administrators and teachers grades 6-12 in elementary, middle and high school that teach science, social studies, civics and government, environment and ecology, health and fitness and related topics.

Pennsylvania Land Choices/P.L.A.C.E.Workshops
Presented by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
in partnership with community agencies and organizations
and Lebanon Valley College

All participants enrolling in the PLACE Courses are allowed a scholarship reduced rate.   The cost of 3 graduate credits from Lebanon Valley College for The PLACE Course is  $630.00 for 3 credits.   Credits may be applied towards Masters Degrees, Masters Plus and Act 48 credits.

To Register:  http://www.lvc.edu/cegs/gs/MSE/content.aspx?pid=18
Click on the online registration form: Complete the form and follow instructions
http://www.lvc.edu/cegs/gs/MSE/register.aspx?pid=44
Be sure to use the correct course number for the location and dates registered.
Selected participant schedule:  Summer 2011

Lebanon Valley College
MASTER OF SCIENCE EDUCATION (MSE)
Summer 2011 – Summer Selected Participation:  COURSE OFFERINGS
The MSE courses are designed for teachers wanting to enhance their understanding of science principles, as well as their ability to teach these concepts. The program focuses on “hands-on” experiential learning of science and is designed to benefit even those teachers with minimal experience in science the methodology necessary to teach science to their students. Courses are open to any elementary, middle or high school teacher interested in Science!

Questions about the content and course schedules:
Contact Estelle Ruppert, DCNR State Parks:   717-576-9366 (cell)     717-772-1807 (office)   eruppert@state.pa.us

Registration Information
Christine Martin      Secretary to the Masters in Science Education Coordinator, Lebanon Valley College
101 North College Avenue    Annville, PA 17003  cmartin@lvc.edu 717.867.6482    Fax 717.867.6075