Environmental Programs Part of STEM Festival

KEYSER -- Project WET and Project Learning Tree will be showcased for educators at the upcoming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Festival to be held Saturday, March 28, from noon to 4 p.m., on the Potomac State College of WVU campus, in Keyser.

During the festival, youths will participate in fun hands-on activities from these two separate environmental programs. Parents and teachers will be able to learn more about these curriculums.

 "Project WET is an interdisciplinary water education program that provides K-12 teachers and other educators with hands-on classroom activities through training workshops," says Kim Maxwell, West Virginia coordinator for Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). Project WET is sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

The activities incorporate important environmental lessons into all disciplines: the sciences, mathematics, fine arts, social studies, language arts, and music. They are perfect for use in formal and non-formal settings.

Linda Carnell is the West Virginia coordinator for Project Learning Tree. Project Learning Tree is co-sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Forestry and West Virginia Forestry Association.

"Project Learning Tree is an environmental education program that offers workshops to formal and non-formal educators," says Linda Carnell. "Once trained they will be prepared to teach youth about environmental issues and encourage them to make informed, responsible decisions about the world around them using the outdoors as a classroom."

Activities from both projects will be demonstrated at the Mineral STEM Festival and both coordinators will be on site to answer questions.

Project WET and Project Learning Tree will partner for a joint workshop on May 2, at the Mineral County Health Department. Educators can register for this workshop at the Mineral STEM Festival. 

Participants will engage in several hands-on activities. Upon completion of the workshop participants will receive interdisciplinary curriculum guides for both programs.

To learn more about the May 2 workshop, contact Linda Carnell at the West Virginia Division of Forestry Romney office at 304-822-4512.

The Mineral County STEM Network’s purpose is to increase communication among individuals, business/industry and organizations interested in encouraging our youth to consider the different STEM fields for careers.

The STEM Festival is open to ALL youths and families in the Tri-State area. For more information on the Mineral County STEM Network, visit http://mineralstem.com/ and for regular updates on the STEM Festival like the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MineralCountySTEM.