Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

Ranger Rick magazine is a favorite with kids ages 7-12. From ocean floors to mountain tops, from arid deserts to tropical jungles, Ranger Rick leads kids to wild discoveries and mind-stretching fun. Each issue is packed with powerful photos, animal features, amazing facts, fun games, riddles and activities that kids love. Awarded a Parent's Choice Gold Award and Child's Media Award in 1999 and 2003, as well as a 2004 EdPress Distinguished Achievement Award for Best Feature for Children, Ranger Rick is a favorite with parents and teachers too.

A flyer that presents information about watersheds in Colorado and ways individuals can protect water quality through daily household activities.

All of the activities from these activity guides are briefly described in this database (to see a full listing, do a program keyword search for "Project WILD"). The Project WILD and Aquatic WILD Activity Guides are full of activities that provide information, help students evaluate choices, and make reasonable decisions. Activities are science-based and require simple, easily obtained materials. These activity guides can only be obtained by attending an 8-hour Teacher Workshop.

The Project Learning Tree (PLT) Environmental Education Activity Guide contains over 90 activities that were rigorously evaluated in classrooms with pre- and post- knowledge tests. Activities are science-based and require simple, easily obtained materials. This activity guide and the secondary modules can only be obtained by attending an 8-hour Teacher Workshop. To Learn more about Project Learning Tree in Colorado and see our list of upcoming workshops, visit www.coloradoplt.org

Educators attending this summer workshop will learn about the impacts that our energy use has on the planet and how to best teach youth about solutions: energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. Each day will include hands-on elements that can be employed in the classroom. In addition, participants will walk away with practical knowledge that they can apply in their own lives. Integrating renewable energy education into youth development can provide an element of excitement for science education and hope for the future.

Hands-on activities include feeling energy efficiency through an energy-generating bicycle and hand-crank, building and using simple solar ovens, designing passive solar homes, wiring solar cells and measuring solar electrical output, powering DC toys and water pumps with photovoltaics, racing solar racecars and competing with wind turbine blade designs. Lesson plans, pedagological approaches and effective messaging for youth are discussed throughout. This workshop is always a hoot and it's an excellent way to network with other energy-conscious educators.

Teachers and non-formal educators of all K-12 students are encouraged to attend. This workshop is accredited through Mesa State College for 2 graduate-level credit hours.

Students study plants, photosynthesis, and plant/insect relationships!
Visit 1: Students will learn the parts of a plant and the role of each. Specifically, they will study pollination and seed dispersal.
Visit 2: The classroom becomes a photosynthesis factory, while students learn how it works in a fun, energetic game.
Visit 3: Students write a student-authored eBook about plants- in print for each student!
Grades K-2 Standards: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.5; Grades 3-5 Standards: 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4

Students investigate the incredible world of insects and study the life of honey bees!
Visit 1: Students learn how the physical characteristics of an insect enable them to be the most successful animal on Earth. They’ll discover the interdependence of insects and plants and their importance to our world.
Visit 2: The classroom becomes a honey bee hive, in an exciting game that teaches pollination, cooperation, and the genius life of these social insects!
Visit 3: Students write a student-authored eBook about insects and bees- in print for each student!
Grades K-2 Standards: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5; Grades 3-5 Standards: 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7

Students learn about greenhouse gases, human influences, and our changing climate.
Visit 1: Students learn that greenhouse gases are necessary for life on earth as we know it.
Visit 2: Students learn about the fuels that power modern life and how people, even kids, can change things for the better.
Visit 3: Students write a student-authored eBook about climate change- in print for each student!
Grades 3-5 Standards: 1.1, 1.4, 2.5, 4.3, 4.4, 5.5; Grades 6-8 Standards: 1.1, 1.4, 2.8, 3.11, 4.2, 4.7, 5.2, 5.5

Prairie Preschool Companions is a weekly non-formal, environmental education program for children ages 3-5 with a parent or another adult. By providing multiple experiences in a natural environment, young children have the opportunity to begin building a relationship with the natural world and begin their journey towards becoming an environmentally literate citizen.