OEE Welcomes Todd Brackin

The DEP Office of Environmental Education would like to extend a warm welcome to (Michael) Todd Brackin. Todd comes to us from DeFuniak Springs where he taught Integrated Science for middle school and Biology, Limnology and Marine Science for high school. Prior to that, he worked in the Outreach and Education section of the FWC/Division of Marine Fisheries in Tallahassee, and as a fisheries biologist for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and FWC/Florida Wildlife Research Institute. We are glad to have Todd on board and hope to tap into his wealth of scientific and teaching experience as we continue to build the LIFE program.

LIFE Comes to Okaloosa County

200 Seventh Graders Take Part in “Hands On” Science Labs - 12/17/08

LIFE Also Comes to Madison County

Madison County Sixth Graders Get Hands-On Environmental Classroom Experience - 12/05/08

GLOBE workshop

On January 5th, 22 educators participated in a GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations Benefitting the Environment) teacher training workshop cohosted by DEP OEE and the FSU Dept. of Meteorology at Wakulla Springs State Park. Dr. Paul Ruscher, meteorology professor and GLOBE coordinator, walked attendees through the hydrology and meteorology protocols for the program. This will allow teachers to expand their skills in bringing relevant subject matter into the classroom. The GLOBE program is built on the foundation that students can collect very meaningful data on water quality, weather, and other natural phenomena, and allows schools to input their data into a database that can be accessed by others around the world.

LIFE Events

• February 9, 2009: Deadline to apply for Earthwatch Fellowship Falll 09 - Worldwide
• March 19–22, 2009: League of Environmental Educators of Florida (LEEF) Conference - New Orleans, LA
• March 26-29, 2009:  - Wekiwa Springs State Park, Orlando, FL
• April 12-18, 2009: National Environmental Education Week - National

Student Challenges:
Young Naturalist Awards through the American Museum of Natural History; an inquiry-based science competition for students in grades 7-12 to promote participation and communication in science. Deadline: March 2.

Siemens We Can Change The World Challenge asks teams of 2-3 middle school students to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their local communities. Deadline: March 15.

Grant opportunities:
Be sure to check our Professional Development page for upcoming funding opportunities.