In AWE of DEQ Educators

Last week, four educators from the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) led a “State of AWE Workshop” for K-12 classroom teachers and nonformal educators at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Lab in Beaufort.

The “State of AWE (Air, Water, and Earth)” workshop highlighted some of the incredible education programs offered by several NCDEQ divisions. This professional development opportunity gave educators content and lessons on topics such as soil, sediment, geology, and air and water quality.  Educators participated in fun activities that they can use to meet the required K-12 standards, in both the formal classroom or in nonformal settings such as museums, parks, and science and nature centers.

Janina Millis, Community Engagement, Education and Outreach Specialist with the Division of Air Quality shared her “Whirling Swirling Air Pollution” activity that looks at the various sources of air pollution, but also explores the ways that individuals can make daily changes to improve air quality. Educators also got the chance to explore the outdoors and look for lichen through a Lichen Citizen Science Survey, emphasizing the role of lichen as bioindicators for air quality.  

Amy Pitts, Senior Geologist for Education and Outreach with the NC Geological Survey provided educators with hands-on activities for plate tectonics, rock identification, soil analysis, and even beta tested her latest activity, an earth science escape room, to great reviews.

Rebecca Coppa, State Sedimentation and Education Engineer with the Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources shared two activities from the Project WET (Water Education Today) curriculum and challenged the educators to complete a stormwater bingo hunt developed by the Clean Water Education Partnership.

Lori Davis, Education Coordinator for the Division of Coastal Management took educators on a field trip to the Rachel Carson Reserve to learn first-hand about coastal ecology.

When asked about their favorite part of the workshop, one educator said, “Visiting the Rachel Carson Reserve and discovering new plants and animals. Also learning new lessons about geology, water quality, and air quality that I can use!”

Other educators said the workshop was “wonderfully done” with “awesome presenters” and commented on the geology activity. “I loved learning about the ingredients that make up rocks. That was such a unique and understandable way to present that idea.”

This program provided teachers with credits for Professional Educator’s License renewal in addition to credit for the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program.

You can find out more about the department’s educational programs at https://www.deq.nc.gov/outreach-and-education