Teacher Professional Development
Bring hands-on, nature-based science to your students through a half-day program at your school or our yearlong Community of Practice that culminates in a student-led Watershed Action Project.
Professional Development Overview
Riverbend opens the door to nature for children across the Delaware Valley, and teachers help us reach many more of them. Our professional development programs prepare teachers to bring hands-on, nature-based science learning to their students, indoors and outside, using inquiry-based, culturally responsive methods. Our watershed-focused programs give teachers practical ways to connect students with the watershed around their own school.
​
Teachers leave with activities they can use right away and the skills to integrate nature and STEM across subjects. Many go on to serve as school and district leaders in STEELS/NGSS and in phenomenon-based, inquiry-based teaching.
Two Ways to Participate
-
Nature-Based STEM Community of Practice: A yearlong program for K-8 teachers, built on the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) and ending with a student-led Watershed Action Project in the spring.
-
Half-day programs at your school
​​
To schedule a program or create one that supports your school's curriculum goals, contact Jill Shashaty, Associate Director of Education, at jshashaty@riverbendeec.org.
​​
Award-Winning Community of Practice
Building toward student outdoor science investigations and a Watershed Action Project
Our yearlong Community of Practice helps teachers design and lead authentic inquiry-based, nature-based STEM experiences for their students. Teachers practice teaching to Pennsylvania's new STEELS standards, outdoors and in the classroom, and shape instruction that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion.
​
The program is built on the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE), a framework developed by NOAA. Through a MWEE, students investigate a real question outdoors, collect data, and take action that benefits their community and local watershed, experiences that spark a lifelong commitment to caring for and connecting with nature. Riverbend was named MWEE Partner of Excellence in 2024.
How the Year Unfolds
Summer
A 3-day Summer Science Workshop in late July or early August covers inquiry-based science pedagogy, outdoor and nature-based teaching, and the STEELS standards.
Fall
Four virtual monthly workshops led by local environmental education partners build content knowledge in watersheds, birds, native plants, and composting and waste.
Winter
Virtual monthly sessions show teachers how to plan and lead a MWEE, using inquiry- and project-based learning to implement STEELS Environmental Literacy and Sustainability standards.
Spring
A Riverbend educator visits your school to lead a lesson series that introduces students to outdoor learning and the habitats and watershed on their school grounds.
Spring Capstone
Teachers guide students through an outdoor science investigation using phenomenon-based, three-dimensional science learning, followed by a Watershed Action Project. Past projects have included trash cleanups and advocacy.
What's Included
Field Trip to Riverbend
Students practice outdoor science investigation and see how the preserve's ecosystems and watershed change in winter.
School Grounds Consultation
For new participants, a Riverbend educator walks your campus with you to plan outdoor lessons and find ecosystem and watershed learning opportunities.
Lessons At Your School
A series of four lessons, held outdoors and in the classroom, focuses on the ecosystems and watershed at your school and prepares students for their MWEE.
Nature Journals
Each student receives a nature journal to use during the lesson series and the MWEE.
Support For Your Watershed Action Project
Students focus on one question and collect data outdoors, usually over one to three sessions, then carry out a Watershed Action Project indoors or outside. We support you throughout.
A Network of Educators
Connect with elementary science teachers across the Delaware Valley for support, ideas, and inspiration.
Field Trip to Riverbend
Students practice outdoor science investigation and see how the preserve's ecosystems and watershed change in winter.
School Grounds Consultation
For new participants, a Riverbend educator walks your campus with you to plan outdoor lessons and find ecosystem and watershed learning opportunities.
Lessons At Your School
A series of four lessons, held outdoors and in the classroom, focuses on the ecosystems and watershed at your school and prepares students for their MWEE.
Nature Journals
Each student receives a nature journal to use during the lesson series and the MWEE.
Support For Your Watershed Action Project
Students focus on one question and collect data outdoors, usually over one to three sessions, then carry out a Watershed Action Project indoors or outside. We support you throughout.
A Network of Educators
Connect with elementary science teachers across the Delaware Valley for support, ideas, and inspiration.
Field Trip to Riverbend
Students practice outdoor science investigation and see how the preserve's ecosystems and watershed change in winter.
School Grounds Consultation
For new participants, a Riverbend educator walks your campus with you to plan outdoor lessons and find ecosystem and watershed learning opportunities.
Lessons At Your School
A series of four lessons, held outdoors and in the classroom, focuses on the ecosystems and watershed at your school and prepares students for their MWEE.
Nature Journals
Each student receives a nature journal to use during the lesson series and the MWEE.
Support For Your Watershed Action Project
Students focus on one question and collect data outdoors, usually over one to three sessions, then carry out a Watershed Action Project indoors or outside. We support you throughout.
A Network of Educators
Connect with elementary science teachers across the Delaware Valley for support, ideas, and inspiration.
PreK–2nd Grade
Water on the Move: Watersheds
Students investigate how water moves through a watershed, learn the difference between pervious and impervious surfaces, and see how human activity affects water flow and quality. The program includes a stream investigation, water sampling, and a hike along a watershed trail.
​
​
3rd-5th Grade
Ecosystem Interactions
Students explore how living and nonliving things interact across Riverbend's forest, stream, meadow, and pond, building observation, data collection, modeling, and discussion skills.
​
​
​
Riverbend's Amazing Race
Small teams compete across the preserve to complete six educator-led challenges built around grade-appropriate science: water quality testing, aquatic macroinvertebrate surveys, cycles of matter, aquaponics, and plant identification. A high-energy way to kick off the year or review key concepts. Want a custom station added to the day? See custom station options.
​
6th-8th Grade
Service Learning Field Trip
Students spend the morning on a traditional field trip, then break for lunch before meeting with Riverbend's Habitat Manager for a hands-on service project. Projects change with the season and the needs of the preserve. Runs 9am–2pm and can be adjusted to fit your group.
​
​
Service Learning Field Trip
Meet with Riverbend's Habitat Manager to learn about the ecological restoration work happening at Riverbend and then get your service learning assignments. The service projects will vary depending on the time of the year and the needs of the preserve. This field trip runs from 10am-1pm, but can be customized to suit the needs of your group.
​
High School
A Winter Walk in the Woods
Students rotate through three stations: an outdoor winter hike, winter tree identification, and one custom station of your choice.
​
​
Winter Field Trips
Available December through Mid-March
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Eligible?​
​
The Community of Practice is free for teachers at Title I schools, thanks to grant support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Past participants include teachers from schools across the Delaware Valley:
-
School District of Philadelphia: Lewis Elkin, John Moffet, FS Edmonds, Cook-Wissahickon, Juniata Park Academy, Fanny Jackson Coppin, James Rhoads, Keystone Charter, Stanton, Farrell, Anne Frank, Blaine, Cramp, Henry Houston, Overbrook Educational Center, SLA-MS, William Rowen, Carnell, and others
-
Norristown Area School District: Musselman Learning Center, East Norriton, Marshall Street, Paul V. Fly, Whitehall
-
Upper Darby School District: Aronimink, Highland Park, Walter Senkow, Beverly Hills Middle School
-
Colonial School District: Colonial Elementary
-
Hatboro-Horsham School District: Hallowell
What is a MWEE?
​
The Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience is a framework in which students investigate an environmental question outdoors and take action in their community. Riverbend's Community of Practice is built on it.
What is a Watershed Action Project?
​
It's the spring capstone, when students act on what they learned in their investigation. Past projects have included trash cleanups and advocacy.
For More Information
