Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for and by educators working with students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The program uses the forest as a "window" on the natural world, helping to focus awareness and knowledge of all aspects of the environment, and our place within it. PLT helps prepare students to make informed decisions about conservation practices and natural resource use by practicing problem solving and critical thinking skills.

PLT Event Calendar

• To schedule an event or professional development workshop, please contact the Alaska PLT State Coordinator
• Take an online Professional Development course today!

PLT Contact Information

The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection has entered into an agreement with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service to administer the Project Learning Tree Program. For information please contact:

Molly Gillespie, Alaska PLT State Coordinator
864-331-9427
AlaskaPLT.Molly@gmail.com

Curriculum Materials

PreK-8 Activity Guide
PLT's new and revised activity guide offers a comprehensive environmental curriculum, which encompasses land, air and water. It is local, national and global in scope.

• contains 96 lessons with variations and extensions
• organized into storylines within thematic chapters
• includes background material and directions for teachers
• contains suggestions for subject integration and assessment

Spanish Translation of the PreK-8 Student Pages
To meet the growing need for bilingual academic material, PLT has translated the student pages of the PreK-8 Activity Guide into Spanish. This provides ready-to-use materials for bilingual educators.

Secondary Topic Specific Modules (Grades 9-12)
PLT has materials available for secondary teachers. These materials are available in a series of topic specific modules. The following modules are currently available:

• Introductory Handbook to Secondary Modules
• Forest Ecology
• Exploring Environmental Issues:
  • Focus on Forests
  • Focus on Risk
  • Municipal Solid Waste

Correlation to State and National Education Standards

Project Learning Tree's materials have been correlated to Alaska's Content Standards as well as the National Science and Social Studies standards. The Alaska Correlations are available in hard copy or on our Correlations website. The National Correlations are available on PLT's national website.

How do I get PLT Materials?

You can obtain Project Learning Tree's PreK-8 Activity Guide or Secondary Modules by attending a training workshop. At the training workshop, you will learn how easy it is to incorporate PLT's action-oriented activities into your current lesson plans and curriculum. You will have the opportunity to meet other professionals in your area who are interested in environmental education.

PLT Alaska offers workshops statewide led by PLT-trained educators and resource professionals. Workshops can be scheduled for your building, school district or community. Workshops can be designed around a theme or local event and can be held on a weekday, weekend, or several evenings.

Types of Workshops Offered in Alaska

Educator's Workshop PreK - 8

• minimum of 6 hrs.
• introduction to PLT curriculum framework
• participate in hands-on activities indoors and out
• information about resources available locally and statewide
• preparation for using activities in own setting

Educator's Workshop Secondary Modules

• Similar workshop format as above, but focusing on one or more secondary modules
• Minimum of 4 hrs.

Online Professional Development Opportunities

• PLT offers several self-paced online workshops, such as Early Childhood, Carbon and Climate, Greenschools, and more
• Interested in Fire Education? For Alaskan educators, the PLT Environmental Education K-8 online workshop includes the unique “Fire in Alaska” module.

Credit Course: Graduate level credit courses can be arranged for both the elementary and secondary workshops.

• 1 graded graduate level credit
• Minimum: 15 hrs. contact time of instruction
• Required project and/or paper
• PLT Materials fee and Credit fee will apply

PLT Sponsors

In Alaska, the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection and the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts fund Project Learning Tree. Other sponsors include Alaska Natural Resource and Outdoor Education Association (ANROE), and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation.