COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio educators using Project WET, Project WILD and Project Learning Tree concepts in their classrooms can now access a database of 450 activities that meet the new state science standards. The database, part of the “WET, WILD AND PLT - Correlations For All Three” Project, is available on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) web site at ohiodnr.com/education/correlations
The database is designed to help formal classroom teachers and others create lesson plans and projects that meet the Ohio K-12 Science Academic Content Standards. It is searchable by grade level band, grade level, science academic content standard, benchmark, organizer, grade-level indicator and specific project book (WET, WILD, PLT). A limited number of hard copies of the Correlations guidebook are available to those who do not have Internet access.
Project WET, Project WILD and Project Learning Tree are national environmental education programs recognized for their value in applying practical, hands-on activities not only to the study of water, wildlife and forestry resources, but also to traditional subjects such as social studies, science and language arts.
“These popular programs help educators introduce natural resource concepts into the learning environment,” said Jen Dennison, Correlations Project coordinator for ODNR. “Educators can use this new database to find out quickly which of their favorite activities meet the state-mandated science standards.”
A $45,960 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in 2004 provided the seed money for the Correlations Project. ODNR and project volunteers matched that amount with $54,000 in order to complete the effort.
More than 91,000 Ohio educators and resource professionals have been trained in the use of Project WILD, Project WET and Project Learning Tree over the last 25 years. Project Learning Tree was introduced in 1980, Project WILD in 1984 and Project WET in 1995.