PLT brochure
Place-Based Education Mini-Grants

The Project Learning Tree Pre-K - 8th grade guide contains activities relating to trees, forestry, the interrelationships between organisms and their environment, and other ecological concepts. Over 10,000 Iowa educators and youth leaders have participated in PLT workshops. There is a $15.00 workshop fee charged to fund Project Learning Tree workshops in Iowa. Check out the national PLT website for more information or attend a workshop. PLT is correlated to the National Standards for Science and Social Studies.

Sample three PLT Activities
Charting Diversity
Field, Forest, and Stream
Web of Life

Suggested Activity Lists
Early Grades (K-4) Suggested Activity by Activity
Early Grades (K-4) Suggested Activity by Social Studies Standard
Early Grades (K-4) Suggested Activity by Science Standard
Middle Grades (5-8) Suggested Activity by Activity
Middle Grades (5-8) Suggested Activity by Science Standard
Middle Grades (5-8) Suggested Activity by Social Studies Standard
Secondary (9-12) Suggested Activity by Activity
Secondary (9-12) Suggested Activity by Social Studies Standard
Secondary (9-12) Suggested Activity by Science Standard

Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Developed with preschool educators and early childhood specialists, this guide is designed for educators who work with children ages 3 to 6.  It offers over 130 experiences that engage children in outdoor play and exploration. Topics include exploring nature with five senses, meeting neighborhood trees, and experiencing trees through the seasons.  An accompanying CD features music from children's musician Billy B. Brennan that encourages children to sing, dance, and move.

Activities include group experiences, such as music and movement, and neighborhood walks; learning centers, such as math and manipulatives and art; reading connections; and family and friends.

Activities have been correlated to national standards for early childhood education – NAEYC Criteria for Curriculum, Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and the NAAEE Early Childhood Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. Additional correlations have been drafted to Iowa Early Childhood program and curriculum standards – Quality Preschool Program Standards, Iowa Early Learning Standards, and the Iowa Core Curriculum.

Check out a list of upcoming workshops.

PLT Secondary Modules
PLT's secondary environmental education modules meet common components of national education reform by using the constructivist approach to learning, whole language teaching, cooperative learning, problem solving, and authentic assessments. The modules are intended for grades 9-12 but can be adapted for other audiences such as entry-level college courses and adult community groups.

To order secondary modules, contact the Aquatic Education Program.

Available on-line:
Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk - Biotechnology

Modules in print: 
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests 
Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk
Global Connections: Forests of the World
Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources blog
Learn fun ways to incorporate natural resources into your classroom. A different environmental topic is featured each week.