Summer Institute Leaves a Lasting Impression

In 2006, I attended one of Hard Bargain Farm’s Environmental Science Summer Teacher Institutes. I spent a week of my summer learning about watersheds, waste management, erosion and runoff, and biodiversity. Everything we did was hands-on. Everything we did was fun. And everything we did was informative. The institute not only taught me a lot of environmental science content, it also provided me and others in attendance with extra momentum to be better environmental stewards.

Perhaps my favorite activity that we did (I have replicated it many times over with my own students) is Who Polluted the Potomac? Participants each receive a small vial with a label on it. As a story is read about the Potomac River, different participants’ labels are called to come up to the front. We each then emptied the contents of our vials into what began as crystal clear water.

This story is quite impactful as we learn that we are ALL responsible for the river’s pollution, and as such, there are things we can all do to help prevent the pollution in the first place! I left the institute feeling inspired and rejuvenated to bring back to my classroom not only the content of the lessons we were taught but also the pedagogy of using hands-on, inquiry-based lessons and activities with students.

But I took it a step further. I decided to focus on environmental education for my master’s degree. I graduated with the degree almost two years ago, and am now working at Hard Bargain Farm as an educator and the outreach coordinator. I love what I do because I get to teach kids and adults about the environment. And this Institute inspired me to take my career in this direction. For most people, they stay in the classroom and incorporate environmental lessons learned during the Institute and included in our curriculum binder into their pacing guides and science curricula at school.

Our institutes are now 9 days long, and this summer it will run from July 12-22. Because of grant funding we have been able to secure through NOAA BWET and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Institute is offered FREE of charge – in fact, participants receive a small stipend! I encourage you to come to the institute, learn about the environment, learn how to teach about the environment, and be inspired to make a positive change in our communities.

You can find more information along with registration forms on our website.