In addition to publications, the TCEQ offers educators this compilation of resources available from state and federal agencies.
Texas Resources
Various state and local organizations offer the following resources for environmental education.
General Resources
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Lesson Plans-compilation of lesson plans created by teachers who participated in courses about teaching environmental sciences to K through 12th grade students.
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Drive Clean Across Texas (For Teachers)-various activities, lessons, and materials for children as part of a statewide air quality awareness and public education campaign.
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Outdoor Learning, (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)-links to activities, Web pages for children, publications, and other resources for parents and teachers.
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Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority-Educational Services-materials, activities, and links for children and educators related to water conservation.
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Texas Stream Team, River Systems Institute (at Texas State University-San Marcos)-a statewide program in which volunteers conduct basic water quality tests and submit the data. Many science teachers form groups to provide elementary and secondary school students hands-on lessons in biology, chemistry, and ecology; it also offers environmental education tools and activities.
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Renewable Energy Lesson Plans-lesson plans and teacher guides suitable for elementary, middle school, and high school students; and links on renewable energy, from the Texas State Energy Conservation Office and InfinitePower.org.
Professional Development
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Project Learning Tree-a statewide, environmental education program for teachers and educators of students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade; its trained facilitators provide workshops (with hands-on activities) across Texas; its Web site has guides, an Environmental Exchange Box, and other resources.
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Texas Environmental Education Partnership-a coalition working toward a statewide, environmental-education system for Texas by partnering with academia, governmental agencies, school teachers and administrators, parents, the environmental community, and business/industry; it has a voluntary, statewide, certification program for professional environmental educators.
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Teacher Development Workshops-workshops at Lower Colorado River Authority Natural Science Centers that help educators expand their curriculum or integrate outdoor experiences with classroom studies; some workshops offer accreditation or continuing education credits.
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Environmental Science Institute-a multi-disciplinary institute at The University of Texas at Austin that provides Continuing Professional Education (501040); links to lecture series, teacher professional development, resources, and more.
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The Dana Center-a research unit at the College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, with links for professional development, TEKs resources, educational projects, and more for K-12 teachers and educational leaders seeking leaders high academic standards.
Federal Resources
These federal agencies offer the following resources.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. Department of Energy
- Energy Education Programs with links to programs that support energy education in schools and communities.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service (Texas Web Site) Information for Educators and Students links to classroom activities, learning tools, publications, and more about conservation of land, soil, and water.
