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.
eeGuidance for Reopening Schools
We are very excited to be a part of finding ways for environmental education to be a part of reopening schools in Illinois. The newly launched eeGuidance for Reopening Schools was developed by state EE organizations and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). The guidelines provide practical strategies for schools to use outdoor learning and environmental education as a tool to safely reopen schools this fall.
EE Provider Database
As a way to assist educators throughout the state in connecting with local environmental education providers and facilities EEAI is looking to create a LARGE statewide database of all the organizations, institutions and non-profit groups that provide ANY kind of outdoor or environmental education programming that might be of use to schools and teachers during this challenging time, and for years to come. Help EEAI develop this incredible tool by adding your facility and by sharing the need for others to do the same.
Enter Your EE Provider HERE.
EEAI hopes to develop a searchable map feature on our website with direct links to all of these facilities. An incredible resource for any school, administrator or family looking to connect to a facility in their area. Please help spread the word so that we can truly capture as many EE providers in Illinois as possible.
Learn more about these guidelines, brainstorm ways to get involved and be a part of this valuable conversation at the EEAI eeCommunity Conversation on Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00am via Zoom.
Zoom Meeting Information -
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87692742963?pwd=SWNlbVVaeXVSTkUzaDl5SG1NZXRNUT09
Meeting ID: 876 9274 2963
Password: 633503
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (Chicago)
+19294362866,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (New York)
EE Provider Database
As a way to assist educators throughout the state in connecting with local environmental education providers and facilities EEAI is looking to create a LARGE statewide database of all the organizations, institutions and non-profit groups that provide ANY kind of outdoor or environmental education programming that might be of use to schools and teachers during this challenging time, and for years to come. Help EEAI develop this incredible tool by adding your facility and by sharing the need for others to do the same.
Enter Your EE Provider HERE.
EEAI hopes to develop a searchable map feature on our website with direct links to all of these facilities. An incredible resource for any school, administrator or family looking to connect to a facility in their area. Please help spread the word so that we can truly capture as many EE providers in Illinois as possible.
Learn more about these guidelines, brainstorm ways to get involved and be a part of this valuable conversation at the EEAI eeCommunity Conversation on Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00am via Zoom.
Zoom Meeting Information -
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87692742963?pwd=SWNlbVVaeXVSTkUzaDl5SG1NZXRNUT09
Meeting ID: 876 9274 2963
Password: 633503
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (Chicago)
+19294362866,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (New York)
Virtual Teaching Tools
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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 Green Schoolyards America - This webpage includes: - An online recording of webinar - Outdoor Spaces as Essential Assets for School Districts' COVID19 Response - A copy of the slide presentation we used during the webinar - A survey to help us learn more about what you need to make these ideas useful to your organization and local schools - Additional resources |
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.
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, July 23rd - 10:00am
EE Check In - Looking toward Fall. Let's chat about reopening our schools. Are there ways we can support our local schools? What plans and implementation strategies are your districts utilizing? Share ideas, ask questions and get advice on how environmental education can continue to move forward this school year even faced with some very tough challenges. 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 -
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87692742963?pwd=SWNlbVVaeXVSTkUzaDl5SG1NZXRNUT09
Meeting ID: 876 9274 2963
Password: 633503
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (Chicago)
+19294362866,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (New York)
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.
Thursday, July 23rd - 10:00am
EE Check In - Looking toward Fall. Let's chat about reopening our schools. Are there ways we can support our local schools? What plans and implementation strategies are your districts utilizing? Share ideas, ask questions and get advice on how environmental education can continue to move forward this school year even faced with some very tough challenges. 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 -
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87692742963?pwd=SWNlbVVaeXVSTkUzaDl5SG1NZXRNUT09
Meeting ID: 876 9274 2963
Password: 633503
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (Chicago)
+19294362866,,87692742963#,,,,0#,,633503# US (New York)
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
How to host a virtual fundraiser - Crowdfunding Campaigns 101 - Zoom presentation from Lauren Pyle, Executive Director for Environmental Educators of North Carolina