I’ve done my share of professional development workshops, and while some can be fun, most are just boring. Usually I find myself sitting at a cafeteria table, in one of the nearby schools, next to a few colleagues, while a presenter talks to us about anything from improving standardized tests scores to anti-bullying or shows off new books, curriculum sets, or other materials that I absolutely must buy for my classroom. Rarely is the presentation engaging enough to keep me distracted from counting down the minutes till lunch or the end of the meeting.
However, there are the rare cases that we get a presenter that has us doing something active and fun. I loved when we had a company come out and had us do team building exercises outside, and also the few presenters that had us do art projects, role playing, and games to keep us focused on the topic at hand.
Well, if you are looking for a professional development workshop that can also be a lot of fun, you are in luck! This January 14th, and also April 14th, Alta Ski Resort has joined with USEE to provide a fun, active workshop, and it’s even eligible for 6 relicensure points! The only catch is you have to know how to ski.
That’s right, you have to know how to ski to attend this workshop. Crazy right?
Alta SkeCology:
After experiencing the Project Learning Tree’s Places We Live workshop, participants will have the opportunity to take a tour of Alta’s SkeCology program on skis! The SkeCology program allows students to learn about their natural environment through a first-hand experience. Students can explore the terrain and wildlife of Alta, while learning the connections to current environmental issues. Eligible for 6 Relicensure Points. Cost: $47, which includes an all access ski pass to the Alta Ski Resort. Participants must provide their own gear and be intermediate to advanced skiers (green circle and blue square routes).
Just a bit of information about the Places We Live lesson guide: It is a secondary environmental education program that focuses on the local community and currant issues. The activities can be adapted to any type of community –urban, suburban, small town, rural— and to any currant local issue that is happening. The lessons revolve around creating citizen awareness and participation in the community to create change. These are great lessons to use in social studies classrooms to create mock community meetings, role play being shareholders in the community and show the students firsthand the importance of participating in local and national politics. They also correspond to the Utah Core Curriculum Standards for Social Studies 9-12, covering many objectives in Geography for Life, and Utah Studies.
Now, I don’t know how to ski, I have it on my to do list to learn, so you won’t see me out there participating in this wonderful workshop. However, I hope you ski lovers out there take advantage of this opportunity to both have fun and get some professional development done at the same time!
If only it would snow!
Click the links below for more information:
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