UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State Extension is offering a two-day summer course aimed at helping elementary school teachers and other educators develop their skills in teaching natural-resource topics.
The course, the Forest Resources Institute for Teachers -- often referred as FRIT -- provides first through seventh grade teachers the information and educational tools needed to teach a balanced environment and ecology curriculum related to Pennsylvania's renewable natural resources.
"FRIT is a professional-development opportunity for educators," said Sanford Smith, natural resources and youth extension specialist. "The course will acquaint educators with the rural and community forest resources of Pennsylvania, and ways to connect youth to the natural world.
"We take pride in our summer course offerings and develop courses that are immediately helpful to teachers when they return to the classroom in the fall," he added. "This is a learning experience designed for teaching professionals, pre-service education students, curriculum specialists and educators from environmental centers, and conservation district personnel."
One PDE credit / "IU credit" and noncredit registration options are available.
Organized through the College of Agricultural Sciences' School of Forest Resources, FRIT will be staged twice this year -- June 22-23 at Penn State University Park, and June 29-30 at the Allegheny County office of Penn State Extension in Pittsburgh.
More information and registration details are available online at http://guest.cvent.com/d/hdq64t.