Clear Lake Education Center
Clear Lake Education Center connects people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to the natural world.
Teacher Resources
Whether you are a classroom teacher, an outdoor education professional, or a parent looking to get their kids outside, there are many options to help. The following websites have great ideas for taking classes outdoors and enriching time spent on a hike, at the park or even just in the backyard.
The BEETLES Project (Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing) - Infusing outdoor science programs with research-based approaches and tools to improve science teaching and learning. All BEETLES resources embody their five design principles: engage directly with nature, experience instruction based on how people learn, think like a scientist, participate in culturally relevant learning environments, and learn through discussion. (from the BEETLES website)
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. Their activities and resources engage children in learning about the environment through the lens of trees and forests. (from the Project Learning Tree website)
Project WILD's mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. All curriculum materials are backed by sound educational practices and theory, and represent the work of many professionals within the fields of education and natural resource management from across the country. (from the Project Wild website)
​MEECS (Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support) provides students in grades 3 through 12 with an opportunity to learn more about their environment through lessons in Science and Social Studies. The MEECS curriculum consists of seven different units; Air Quality, Climate Change, Ecosystems & Biodiversity, Energy Resources, Land Use, Land and Environment, and Water Quality. The units have been field tested by teachers in over 200 Michigan classrooms. The modular lessons can be used individually, as units or a series of units as part of a multi-year environmental education curriculum. (from the MEECS website)
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Resource Collections - found a the NOAA Education Portal - your one-stop shop to connect with learning and teaching resources about the ocean and atmosphere. Discover curricula, lesson plans, and real-time data to bring NOAA science into your classroom. Explore opportunities for educators and students of all levels. Apply for competitive funding for education projects. (from the NOAA Education website)