Teacher Professional Development Courses

The Education Department at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden offers several professional development courses to teachers in Miami-Dade county.  The classes focus on botany, ecology and South Florida natural history, and are designed to increase teachers' knowledge and understanding of the importance of plants, plant uses, and habitat conservation. Workshops are conducted using a combination of discussion and hands-on activities, and teachers are provided with materials, resources and curriculum activities to implement in their classrooms. Fairchild works closely with the Miami-Dade County Public School system to make these professional development courses available.

To register, please visit http://calendar.dadeschools.net/.

For more information, contact Kiki Mutis at kmutis@fairchildgarden.org or 305.667.1651 x 3330.

2011-2012 Course Schedule

Fairchild Challenge Environmental Action Workshop -  This one-day workshop, specifically addresses the Environmental Action option of the Fairchild Challenge. Limited to registered Fairchild Challenge teachers, this workshop will cover the topics of energy usage, water conservation and quality, and biodiversity monitoring, providing hands-on activities and ideas that can be implemented at school, home and in the community. Oct. 1

School Garden Workshop -  A one-day workshop, offered bi-annually, for teachers creating school gardens. Teachers will learn the basics of planning, designing, and implementing a school garden, as well as how to integrate garden activities into the curriculum. Oct. 15, Jan. 7

South Florida Plants and Ecosystems .  -  A one-day workshop exploring our local ecology outside of the classroom. This workshop will provide a hands-on approach to understanding Florida native plants and ecosystems, as well as local conservation issues. Feb. 4 

NEW! Linking Food & The Environment  - This workshop promotes national health goals for people to eat healthy diets and lead physically active lives. The workshop emphasizes on the strong connection between gardens and nutrition and the connection between food, land, environment and people. Sat. Feb 11  

Ethnobotany -  A one-day workshop offering a hands-on approach to understanding the cultural and economic value of plants and their importance in our lives. Mar. 3

Basic Botany -  This one-day workshop for elementary school teachers will teach the basics of roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruit, emphasizing easy strategies to teach students about plant parts and functions. Mar. 24

Tropical Botany -  A two-week intensive immersion course for k-12 teachers, affectionately known as "Botany Bootcamp"                      June 18-29

NEW! Flying Wild - This workshop focuses on migratory birds and is designed to inspire students to discover more about the natural world. TBA

Downloadable Teaching Modules

2011-2012 Professional Development Flyer

2010-2011 Professional Development Annual Report

last updated 8/11