S.T.E.M. Teacher Training 2-Day Workshop

We are offering 2-day workshops in Early 2024 for teachers in Science, Agriculture, Occupational Course of Study (OCS) and Exceptional Children (EC) from Orange and Wake County Schools.

Growing More Than Rain Gardens

Urban Sustainability Solutions is a nonprofit organization that relies on expert practitioners to provide urban ecosystem services training for teachers and their students using classroom tested, hands-on, STEM curricula. Our long term goal is the development of a workforce that can design and install resilient and sustainable solutions in concert with their communities throughout North Carolina.

Urban Sustainability Solutions recognizes the disproportionate impact that the neglect of critical ecosystem services has had on Communities of Color. As an essential part of our educational mission, we also recognize the importance of incorporating educational experiences that bring students into their communities to provide sound and affordable sustainability solutions for ordinary citizens.

Our education program employs a stormwater curriculum we co-authored in 2013 under the aegis of the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics (NCSSM). It is available for public use here.

  • The program is offered to students ranging in age between 14 to 21 years old. The curriculum specifically targets students who are not performing at desired grade levels in math and science and introduces the topic of urban stormwater runoff and its impact on our streams.

  • We look for ten Occupational Course of Study (OCS) and Exceptional Children (EC) teachers to take part in our teacher workshops. We then work with teachers to host an afterschool program for up to 50 students.

  • Currently, this program is only offered for students and teachers located in Orange and Wake County, North Carolina. But we plan to expand into nearby counties in the near future. Follow our newsletter for updates!

  • The hands-on curriculum, based on our experience, leads to improved student performance in traditional STEM curricula, and improves environmental literacy and stewardship.

S.T.E.M. Teacher Training Workshop

Course Workshop Overview

Session One

Rain Garden Certificate Training

  • North Carolina Cooperative Extension Staff will guide teachers through a course on how to create a rain garden project from start to finish. Participants will be trained in a classroom setting before going out into the field and building a rain garden in a predetermined area of need.

  • Session One Assignment: Teachers will work in small groups to assess and analyze a case study and create their own plan based on the skills learned in the training.

Session Two

Classroom Curriculum Training

  • Teachers will review their case study assignments.

  • Teachers will connect the real world applications of rain gardens with content curriculum on Canvas.

  • Session Two Assignment: Teachers will create their own classroom projects using information learned during training sessions.

Session Three

Classroom Project and Grant Proposals

  • Teachers will present their classroom projects and provide feedback for other projects.

  • Teachers will receive support for project implementation and grant proposals.

Next Steps…

  • Teacher support with project implementation.

  • Grant proposal submissions.

  • Project impact follow up.

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See how your donations benefit local teachers!

Whether it’s $1 or $100, it all adds up. The generous donations we receive fuel our goal of $10,000 to implement one of our teacher workshops. Check below to see a breakdown of costs.

  • Goal: $5,000

    Our goal is to give 10 local teachers a $500 stipend for attending our teacher training workshop. Teachers will also be eligible for C.E.U. Technology credits.

  • Goal: $1,250

    North Carolina Cooperative Extension Staff will guide teachers through a course on how to create a rain garden project from start to finish. Participants will be trained in a classroom setting before going out into the field and building a rain garden in a predetermined area of need.

  • Goal: $1,000

    Our team includes a highly skilled and trained professional with experience in the field to help lead the workshop and aid in teacher training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programming.

  • Goal: $1,500

    Teachers will be provided with all necessary supplies and materials for the duration of the training course.

  • Goal: $1,200

    All teacher participants will be provided a lunch each day of the training workshop.

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