COVID-19 Educator Resources

EEAI is working hard to provide resources to all educators throughout the state to help get us all through this challenging time. Please let us know if there is something you don't see here that would be useful. This space will be updated and change frequently so check back often. 

Virtual Teaching Tools

Help EEAI compile a comprehensive list of all of the virtual learning opportunities that are currently available to educators, parents and the public. Please take just a few minutes to complete the form. These offerings will then be listed out on this website and shared through social media. If you are interested in helping work on this project or in finding other ways to collaborate with EEAI on virtual programming please do not hesitate to reach out - executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com.

Virtual Teaching Tools - National Database
NAAEE Is compiling an incredible database of Online Teaching Tools and is getting them organized by category. There is also a discussion board to ask questions, share information and connect with colleagues. 

NAAEE Database

Need Guidance On Taking Content Virtual?
NAI Webinars - Best Practices For Going Virtual
Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education - Distance Learning in EE - From Start to Success
Adapting Program Models

Educators in Colorado have been working hard to develop some guidelines, questions and things to consider when adapting your programming for these challenging times. 

These are "working documents" that are being adjusted to and added to regularly so if you have a thought, comment to add or question please don't hesitate to share it with EEAI and we will pass it on to our colleagues in Colorado working on this important content. 

Adapting eeProgram Models - Promising Practices for Offline Learning
Adapting eeProgram Models - Promising Practices for Online Learning


FREE Online Professional Development and Professional Learning Opportunities
Conversations are happening all over the country about how to best utilize this time of limited programming for environmental educators. Receiving additional professional development or accessing online learning opportunities seems to be one of the biggest suggestions from administrators and directors. 
Lindsay Rogers, Fish & Wildlife Education Division Administrator at the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission put together an incredible list of courses, online programs and professional development opportunities for educators. Rogers does not endorse any of these courses, she just simply put together an extensive list of what she could find that was available.

List of Learning Opportunities.

Resources Outdoor Camps and Education Settings
NPR Article on ACA Guide To Open up Camps 
Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidelines - This guide was developed by Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc. for the American Camp Association.
ACA Camps - COVID19 Information Page

Illinois Specific Online Learning
SEED Curriculum
Douglas Hart Nature Center
Age Range - K-3

SEED stands for social-emotional environmental education discovery. It is a series of videos that include nature and animals combined with the social-emotional curriculum used in the schools. Every video includes a writing and drawing prompt.

Link to Curriculum

Live Science with Monica!
Monica Genta - Science Teacher
Age Range - K-8

Parents and Teachers!!!! Needing some HELP with some engaging science activities? 🔥🔥🔥 I’ve got your back! 🤟 Starting this Thursday I will be GOING live to share a SCIENCE activity with you and your kiddos! Mark your calendar for 10:00 AM central time! It will be a super simple, super fun lesson that will get your family pumped about science 😎 Be sure to FOLLOW me at Facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd to get updates on the LIVE feed SHARE with all your fellow parents and teachers!

Link to Events

Earth Day 50
Eco-Schools USA, Project WET and Project WILD
Age Range - Educators

Available Monday, March 23, we invite you to increase your knowledge and confidence around climate change, gain access to climate lessons, and utilize resources that can be used during Earth Week to celebrate Earth Day 50 and take action for the planet. This professional development is self-paced and free. Topics within Earth systems science include weather and climate, phenology, extreme weather, biodiversity, soils, and oceans. Co-created and hosted by the National Wildlife Federation, Project WILD and Project WET. You will receive an email within 24 hours of registration with a link to access the online course.

Link to Online Course

Salamander Monitoring and Amphibians
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
Age Range - K-8

Tools for integrated learning about salamanders in spring that will include extensions on amphibians and seasonal changes.

Link to Resources

Naturalist Encounters
Urbana Park District/Anita Purves Nature Center
Age Range - K-8

Join naturalists and education staff at Anita Purves Nature Center for story time, tours and other animal encounters at Busey Woods. Lots of fun videos!

Link to Videos

​Nature Education At Home
Severson Dells Nature Center
Age Range - K-8

Videos. Activities. Scavenger hunts. Both indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families to enjoy. Presented by naturalists and education staff from Severson Dells Nature Center. 

Link to Website. 

Covid-19 eeCommunity Conversations

EEAI is looking to provide ways that the Illinois eeCommunity can stay connected, build collaborations, ask questions and get advise from other educators going through the same struggles. 

Slack Discussion Platform
Become a part of the conversation! Join EE educators from all over the state on Slack. This is brand new adventure for EEAI so please help us grow this networking tool by inviting others and starting conversations. 
eeCommunity Conversation - Covid-19 Open Space Meeting -
Thursday, June 18th - 10:00am
Monthly EE Check-In. Let's chat about how things are going, what you need from your state association, plans for moving forward, new programming opportunities and much more. Share the meeting information with other educators in your area. All are welcome! You do not have to be an EEAI Member to join these calls. 

Zoom Meeting Information - 
Click LINK to join the meeting. 

Meeting ID - 898 7731 7935

Communicating During Covid-19 - An NAAEE Webinar - Recording
Presented by Kristen Grimm, President of Spitfire Strategies
Webinar provides tips and tricks on effective communication during a crisis for the environmental education community. 
​Watch Recording Here. 

General Covid-19 Resources


CDC One Health
https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Illinois Department of Public Health
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
Business and Organizations Guidance - http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/business-guidance
Tracking the Virus in Illinois - https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx?mc_cid=341de796c5&mc_eid=c9c0f2b6f0

Responding to the Coronavirus Outbreak: Resources to Help Nonprofits - 
Technical Support for Non-Profits - tools, resources and helpful information from TechSoup 
https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Responding-to-the-Coronavirus/248231
https://www.thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/lessening-the-risk-of-coronavirus-at-nonprofits/
Recession Proof Your Non-Profit and other fundraising tips - https://www.networkforgood.com/covid-19-resources/
What NonProfit Board Members Should be Doing Now - From Board Source
How NonProfits and Board Members Can Respond to Covid-19 - From Board Source - Lots of great resources included on this link. Great Q and A section. 
​
Understanding Guidelines for schools - 
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus/schools-guidance

Emergency Funding Support - 
https://givingcompass.org/coronavirus-covid19
Quad Cities Community Foundation - https://www.qccommunityfoundation.org/news/2020/3/12/disaster-recovery-fund-activated-in-response-to-novel-coronavirus-pandemic
​Full list of community foundations to connect with - https://www.tgci.com/funding-sources/IL/community
Grand Victoria Foundation & Chicago Community Covid-19 Response Fund