Here is where you can find updates to Pennsylvania Environment and Ecology Standards. We've referenced some standards met by the activities to the right in their descriptions. We welcome any feedback from educators!
The Foundation Center is a national nonprofit service organization connecting nonprofits and the grantmakers supporting them to tools they can use and information they can trust. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. grantmakers and their grants; issues a wide variety of print, electronic, and online information resources; conducts and publishes research on trends in foundation growth, giving, and practice; and offers an array of free and affordable educational programs.
In addition to The Foundation Center website, teachers in the Philadelphia area can contact the Regional Foundation Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Central Branch (215-686-5423).
Grant Wrangler® is a free grants listing service that makes it easier for teachers, librarians, and parents to find funding, including grants and awards for arts, history, mathematics, science, technology, and more. The site can be searched by keyword, category, or deadline.
This site from The National Gardening Association provides an updated list of grants and awards available for teachers. It also provides a link to subscribe to their monthly newsletter, which features, among other things, announcements about new grant opportunities.
Trees benefit our physical and mental health as well as our environment. This handout highlights those benefits and provides an overview of how to care for your newly planted tree. Appropriate for young adults and cites studies useful for undergraduates.
Students learn and reinforce their knowledge of tree parts by acting them out and building a “human tree.” Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 4 (4.4.3.C Use sci. inquiry to investigate what animals and plants need to grow)
Teaching tool used to involve students and teachers in understanding and discussing environmental issues and solutions--with special emphasis
on trees. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 2-4 How humans affect the env.
A team activity that gets you moving. The first team to collect the 7 elements & Grow-A-Tree wins! Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grade 4 (4.4.3.C Use sci. inquiry to investigate what trees need to grow) and grades 1-5
Learn how to measure to the top of a tree without a tape measure and to look at the rings in a stump to measure age. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 1 (4.1.4.A Explain how living things are dependent upon other things for survival)
A three-part activity sheet: learn how to make your own recycled paper from newsprint, and how to make pine cone trees and feeders. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 1+ (4.1.4.A Explain how living things are dependent upon other things)
PHS staff created a felt and canvas panel with tabs that can be hung on a clothesline or PVC frame to play this game, using items gathered in a basket. It is appropriate for children in 1st grade or younger. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA 4.1.4A
Grow a tree from a seed from a lemon, orange, avocado, or other fruit. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 1+ (4.1.4.A Explain how living things are dependent upon other things for survival; 4.4.3C Investigate what plants need to grow)
Questions and answers for the Tree-mendous Feats board game. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 2-4 How humans affect the env., Identifying natural resources, Identifying how humans depend on natural resources
This activity will teach students the role of trees in managing storm water. (Storm water is heavy rainfall that can cause non-point source water pollution or NPS.) Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Grades 2-4 on wetlands, cycles, pollution
Teach stresses on trees -- drought, damage from cars, bark carving -- by acting them out! Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 2-4 How humans affect the env.
This exercise uses an apple to illustrate our dependency on the biosphere. Env. & Ecology Standards for PA Elementary Grades 2-4 How humans affect the env. and how humans rely on natural resources.
