Ecology Center — Environmental Education

Environmental Education

Welcome to Environmental Education at the Ecology Center! The highlight of our educational programming is our classroom workshops, where we bring hands-on environmental lessons to schools throughout southeast Michigan and beyond. We believe that environmental awareness and caring for the natural world should be crucial components of youth education, and we hope to make a difference by improving the environment one child at a time.

For more information about our programs,
please select a topic below.

Classroom Programs -- Our experienced educators can visit your classroom to present exciting, hands-on workshops on a variety of environmental themes.

Educational Services -- Past activities have included teacher training sessions and curriculum development services. Let us know what your environmental education needs are, and we will see if we can help!

Resources for Teachers -- We have compiled a list of web links and print resources that teachers may find useful. Look here for some great curriculum ideas!

EENOW -- Learn more about the Environmental Education Network of Washtenaw, a consortium of Washtenaw County organizations providing environmental and science programming to youth and families.

Meet Our Educator

Laura Kaplan joined the Ecology Center staff in June 2005. She holds a bachelor's degree in Geological Sciences and a master's in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, both from the University of Michigan. Her work in the sciences has taken her on a range of adventures, from mapping the geology of western Ireland to observing the nesting behaviors of birds on the California coast.

Before coming to the Ecology Center, Laura worked as an outreach education specialist for the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and as a part-time biology instructor at Schoolcraft College. In her spare time, she can often be found nurturing the enthusiasm she brings to the classroom by volunteering with wildlife surveys and protection of local habitats.