Professional Development Framework for Informal Environmental Educators

Environmental Education Association of Oregon is launching a planning process to determine if a state-wide certification program emphasizing informal science pedagogy, STEM content and research science engagement is the best approach to supporting the professional development of environmental educators. The planning team consists of museums, zoos, forestry, park and wetland conservation groups, nature centers, small environmentally focused businesses, universities and community after school informal education centers. The planning will result in a needs assessment of professional development interests, a set of Oregon specific core stem and facilitation competencies, diversity strategies, and evaluation rubrics that will lay the groundwork for a potential core certification framework.