Workshops provide the opportunity for teachers to interact with experts in varying science fields, inspire new ideas and supplement classroom resources.

Dinner in the Garden

Workshop for Middle and High School Science Teachers

Thursday, September 23, 4:30 - 7:30 pm

Celebrate the autumnal equinox with Tom Smith, Director and Chris Ludwig, Chief Biologist of Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program. Learn about the efforts underway here in Virginia to identify, protect and manage our state’s biological diversity. Twice recognized as the best natural heritage program in the Western Hemisphere, your VA program has an array of projects in progress to find Virginia’s rarest plant and animal species and exemplary natural communities, distribute that information for land conservation and land planning purposes, and manage the state’s natural area preserve system.  The talk will be followed by a walk through the Gardens learning about how modern day natural history experts and amateurs alike utilize binoculars to identify everything from tiger beetles to dragon flies to of course birds. 

Limited to 20 teachers.  While the workshop is free and includes complimentary dinner, registration and a credit card are required to hold your space.  A $10 fee will be charged to your credit card if you fail to give 24 hour cancellation notification.  Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

Using the School Grounds as a Classroom  

This three-part series helps educators work through the opportunities of creating a school garden or using the schoolyard as a learning landscape. Each workshop includes technical information, lesson plans, and outdoor teaching techniques to use on nature focused fieldtrips around the schoolyard or while working in the school garden. Enrollment limited to 25 participants.

• Getting Started Outdoors

Thursday, October 21, 2010, 4 – 6:30 p.m.

$20 / $10 members.

Explore the different gardens at Lewis Ginter, practice scientific observation skills, and enhance your classroom curriculum with outdoor experiences.  Discover teaching techniques and ways to engage your students while investigating your school’s outdoor spaces.  Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

 

• What to Plant/What to Teach

Thursday, February 17, 2011, 4 – 6:30 p.m. 

$20 / $10 members.

Time to think plants!  Take a tour of the Children’s Garden and discuss which plants are best for the Richmond area and which plants are favorites for teaching.  Wisconsin Fast Plants will be introduced as a classroom method to jump-start your students' outdoor experiences. Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

 

• Completing the Cycle

Thursday, May 19, 2011, 4 – 6:30 p.m. 

$20 / $10 members.

Whether you have a garden to put to bed for the summer or are looking for new ways to teach the scientific method, composting may be the answer.  Learn how to construct a worm composter, explore the Garden's compost bin for decomposers, and investigate ways to use decomposers to teach the different steps of scientific investigation. Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

Project Learning Tree

Saturday, November 13, 2010, 9 - 3:00 p.m.

An interdisciplinary, award-winning environmental education program designed by educators for educators.  PLT activities help students connect classroom concepts to the real world through a variety of hands-on activities.  

Workshop participants receive a copy of the PLT Pre K-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide which contains 96 hands-on, interactive activities. Recent additions to the Guide include literature lists for each activity, technology connections, and variations for differentiated instruction. Printed correlations for Virginia’s math, English, science and social studies Standards of Learning will be provided.

Workshop is free; lunch on your own.

Sponsored by the American Forest Foundation through the Virginia Department of Forestry. Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

Agriculture in the Classroom: Exploring the Scientific Mind
A Professional Development Workshop for Middle School Teachers
Thursday, January 13, 2011, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
This hands-on workshop will provide middle school teachers with real-world examples of science concepts including watersheds, the production of food and fiber, and use of the periodic table. Middle school science teachers will discover ways to add real world connections to their earth science, biology and physical science units using examples from agriculture. In addition to conducting experiments attendees will learn new activities which teach critical thinking and decision making needed to make a profit. Teachers are provided with tips, activities, and teacher resource kit ready for classroom use.

Free; limited to 25 participants. Complimentary luncheon and refreshments included. 

Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

Agriculture in the Classroom:  A Day in the Garden

Friday, January 14, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

For educators looking for new ideas, resources for the classroom and tips for your own instructional garden to grow strong learners, this FREE workshop is just the ticket!  Instructors bring science, mathematics, and social studies together while presenting hands-on activities designed to introduce students to the importance of agriculture in Virginia.  Enjoy a tour of the Garden and learn more about resources available to teachers. Workshops are provided free of charge by Agriculture in the Classroom, a nonprofit organization, www.agintheclass.org. and sponsored by the Farm Bureau.

Free; limited to 25 participants. Complimentary luncheon and refreshments included. 

Register online or phone 804-262-9887, ext. 322.

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