Teaching Practicum
Graduate students join Merry Lea’s Environmental Education Outreach team in delivering a variety of high-quality environmental education programs.
The summer core courses provide the foundational content and skills for understanding and exploring the ecosystems at Merry Lea, where most educational programs take place.
Graduate students help develop and teach these programs, including: public and private school field trips, homeschool series, after-school programs for local elementary students, day camps and public events.
Throughout their practicum course in the fall and spring, graduate students develop leadership and interpersonal skills, enabling them to be an effective leader to create challenging, safe and fun learning environments. Graduate students will catalyze their growth as environmental educators through reflective writing, academic study, dialogue, observation and a culture of feedback.
Graduate students gain hands-on experience with diverse types of environmental education at Merry Lea.
PreK - 12 Field Trips
Nearly every day from Sept. - Nov. and April - May, Merry Lea hosts school groups for immersive, outdoor field trips.
Public Events
From adult workshops on Merry Lea Sustainable Farm to spring festivals, graduate students interact with a variety of audiences to deliver programming to children and adults.
Nature Preschool
In partnership with the local YMCA, Merry Lea offers a Nature Preschool Monday - Thursday during the school year. Graduate students observe and interact with this innovative nature-based early childhood program.
Day Camps
Over the week of spring break, the graduate students plan, coordinate and deliver a Spring Break Day Camp for students K-5th grade.
