Project Learning Tree continues to set the standard for environmental education excellence at the elementary, middle and secondary levels. PLT increases students’ understanding of our complex environment and is designed to teach "how to think, not what to think" about environmental issues.
PLT trained facilitators conduct educator workshops throughout Texas. Educators receive written curriculum materials as well as practical, hands-on training during the workshop. Fee: $30 each participant for six-hour pK - 8 workshop; $10 per participant for 3-hour secondary workshop.
PLT is correlated to the Math, Social Studies, Science and Language Arts Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for all grade levels, and to the National Science and Social Studies standards.
PLT meets the Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) requirements because it:
- is K-12 aligned
- supports core curriculum in an interdisciplinary way
- supports multiple learning styles
- supports multicultural diversity
- encompasses real life activities that lead to career opportunities
PLT participants earn 6 CPE credits to apply towards State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) requirements and 6 hours of Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC) credit.
For information on the benefits of teaching students outside, go to learnoutside.org.
PLT for Grades PreK-8
From Awareness to Understanding to Responsible Action
The PreK-8 activity guide is packed with 96 multidisciplinary activities - each carefully designed for specific grade levels and learning objectives. Activities are grouped by theme, storyline and subject matter.
The guide is available only by attending a 6-hour educator workshop. Go to plttexas.org for more information.
Energy & Society
Get energized! Use these unique approaches to educate your students about energy today and tomorrow:
- Energy & Me music CD and dance video
- Posters and study guide
- Energy activities in the PreK-8 guide
- Energy education online
For more information about Energy & Society, go to plt.org.
PLT for High School
Current Issues Become a Platform for Learning
Each module challenges students to explore every facet of an issue - illustrating the complexity of real-life environmental decisions. Modules are multi-disciplinary and standards-based. They incorporate key social science and humanities concepts as well as science and math.
Modules Available:
- The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology
- Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests
- Focus on Risk
- Municipal Solid Waste
- Global Connections: Forests of the World
- Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live
- Biodiversity
The modules are available only by attending an educator workshop. Visit plttexas.org for more information.
PLT Initiatives
Service-Learning
Through GreenWorks!, PLT provides mini-grants for educators and students who develop an action plan to improve their neighborhood environment. Call 1-866-TX TREES or email GreenWorks! for a guide. Please include name and complete mailing address.
Recognizing Excellence
Texas PLT annually honors an Outstanding PLT Educator for their innovative and creative use of PLT and his/her contributions to environmental education in general. Award includes $1,000 and an opportunity to compete on the national level. For more information, go to plttexas.org.
PLT Schools
Schools that incorporate PLT into their curriculum and provide a diversity of environmental education opportunities for their students may be designated PLT Schools. Read about some of the great things PLT Schools have done. For more information about how your school can be designated a PLT School, go to plttexas.org.