All-School Festivals

School festivals are conducted in a variety of ways in multiple schools throughout the school year.  Some schools focus on one-day festivals where the whole school participates under an umbrella EE related theme while other schools integrate EE learning days with other themes such as “Literacy Night” or “I Love to Read”.  Some schools conduct EE field days that are grade- specific led by the classroom teachers while other schools conduct cross-grade level festivals conducted by specialists. 

Integrated EE Curriculum

EE lessons are integrated into the core science curriculum utilizing curriculum maps and framework allowing for easier implementation for K-5 staff. They are then highly encouraged to use the provided replacement lessons and optional lessons that integrate EE into other core curricula.  

Summer Programs

Collaborating with PLSAS Community Education, four-day summer Eco-Adventure camps are offered to the students in the community and beyond.  Projects WET, Wild, Learning Tree and MnAqua curriculua are used to create themed camps for elementary, middle school and Pre-K age groups.

EcoSTARS

EcoSTARS Video

EE Coordinator's Webpage

EcoSTARS (Students, Teachers and Real Science) is a collaboration between K-12 schools in the district and (St. Catherine University) following the professional development model. It provides opportunities for pre-service teachers to create and present experiential environmental lessons and get valuable classroom management experience under the guidance of experienced classroom teacher/mentors.

Staff Development

Multiple EE staff development opportunities are offered through the district staff development office.  Early release day programs, district day presentations and after school workshops are conducted on a regular basis allowing for the PLSAS staff to gain content and confidence in EE instruction. 

ECOTIME-Integrating Environmental Education

A small group of PLSAS K-5 classroom teachers meet on a monthly basis to create greetings, activities, and interactive pieces for news & announcements charts that contain an element of EE instruction.  Each ‘moment’ contains an objective, simple directions, background information, activities and correlations to MDE K-6 academic standards. 

Outdoor Classrooms

Outdoor Classroom Curriculum

PLSAS has made a concerted effort to designate specific areas at each K-12 school site devoted to outdoor learning such as school forests; boulder, butterfly, and native plant gardens; prairies; wetlands; and ponds.