Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced its educator workshops for 2025.
These workshops, provided specifically to environmental educators in various professions, offer opportunities for career growth and professional development by using the wonders of Grandfather Mountain to further participants’ expertise.
“Teaching should be just as fun as learning,” said Michelle Malalang, education specialist for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Our goal is to show workshop participants how to deliver a lesson that ignites curiosity, invites children to wonder and creates a meaningful connection between them and the environment.”
Instructors include Grandfather Mountain’s environmental educators and other education specialists from across the state. Workshops are structured with a mix of in-class instruction and outside fieldwork that enables participants to dive right into the subject material. Best of all, the workshops are also held in a collaborative setting that allows the group to share their knowledge and expertise with each other.
Advance registration is required. The workshops will take place at Grandfather Mountain and may include some walking, so participants are encouraged to bring appropriate footwear and be prepared for inclement weather. Attendees are also asked to bring their own lunch, although there is a restaurant onsite.
Most workshops are free, although some include modest fees to cover the cost of course materials. They are generally limited to 25 participants.
A BEETLES Educator Workshop took place on March 29, rescheduled from September 2024.
The remaining workshops include:
Project Learning Tree
June 13 | 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join preservice teachers, K-8 classroom and nonformal educators in an exploration of activities in the Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide. Every participant will leave the workshop with a copy of this guide that includes 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to connect children to nature and increase young people’s awareness and knowledge about their environment. The activities in this resource are supported by a robust Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) correlation guide, building durable STEM Skills and differentiated instruction. This workshop, which will take place at Grandfather Mountain, is organized by North Carolina State University.
CEU renewal credits are available. This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program (K-8).
Registration is currently open for this workshop with a $20 fee. Learn more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-project-learning-tree.
Methods of Teaching Environmental Education (MOTEE)
July 18-19 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The focus of this 10-hour workshop is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences in both the formal and non-formal sectors to use exemplary environmental education teaching methods. Participants will learn about a variety of teaching techniques, methods and instructional strategies; and the workshop will include multiple interactive components.
This is a required workshop for all N.C. Environmental Education Certification candidates. This workshop may also count for Continuing Education (CE) for those educators who are already certified.
Free registration opens May 15. You can learn more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-methods.
WILD About Elk
Aug. 2 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This workshop is open to individuals studying for the N.C. Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE credits to maintain their certification and will focus on elk in North Carolina. Hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own interpretation and education staff, this workshop will teach participants about the life history and management of elk, as well as how to incorporate activities about elk into the N.C. Curriculum. Participants will also get to meet the bull elk who call Grandfather Mountain home and what it takes to keep them healthy and happy.
Criteria II or III and CEU credit are available upon completion of this workshop.
Registration for this free workshop opens June 3. Learn more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-wild-about-elk.
WILD About Salamanders
Sept. 13 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This workshop is open to individuals studying for the N.C. Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE Credits to maintain their certification and will focus on salamanders in North Carolina. Hosted by Tanya Poole of N.C. Wildlife Commission and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own interpretation and education staff, this workshop will focus on the various types of salamanders in North Carolina, specifically those found in Western North Carolina. The course will cover life cycles, habitats, identification, anatomy and much more, and hopefully spend time outdoors looking for salamanders. Participants will also test out activities they can take back to their classrooms.
All participants qualify for CEU and EE Criteria II or III credits.
Free registration opens July 15. You can learn more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-wild-about-salamanders.
About the Series
Grandfather Mountain began its educator workshop series in 2018 as a way to offer western N.C. educators a nearby venue through which to achieve N.C. Environmental Education certification credit.
Such workshops were already being held onsite for members of Grandfather Mountain’s education staff, who are required to possess N.C. Environmental Education Certification. As a service to N.C. educators, the park opened the courses to all teachers in the state pursuing environmental education certification — often free of charge.
To learn more about the Educator Workshop series, visit www.grandfather.com/educator-workshops.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world through education, exploration and example. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
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