Environmental education learning experiences (EELEs) are correlated to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Competency goals in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts are explored. Each program includes pre-visit, on-site and post-visit student activities that have measurable objectives, background information, vocabulary, references and step-by-step activity instructions.
Following are some samples of state park EELEs. (If a link is not provided, an EELE is not available at this time.)
Carolina Beach State Park - Carvers Creek State Park - Chminey Rock State Park - Cliffs of the Neuse State Park - Crowders Mountain State Park - Dismal Swamp State Park - Elk Knob State Park - Eno River State Park EELE - part 1 Eno River State Park EELE - part 2 - Falls Lake State Recreation Area - Fort Fisher State Recreation Area - Fort Macon State Park - Goose Creek State Park - Gorges State Park - Grandfather Mountain Sate Park- Hammocks Beach State Park - Hanging Rock State Park - Haw River State Park - Jockey's Ridge State Park - Jones Lake State Park - Jordan Lake State Recreation Area - Kerr Lake State Recreation Area - Lake James State Park - Lake Norman Sate Park - Lake Waccamaw State Park - Lumber River State Park - Mayo River State Park - Medoc Mountain State Park - Merchants Millpond State Park - Morrow Mountain State Park - Mount Mitchell State Park - Mount Jefferson State Natural Area - New River State Park - Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area - Pettigrew State Park - Pilot Mountain State Park - Raven Rock State Park - Singletary Lake State Park - South Mountains State Park - Stone Mountain State Park - Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve - William B. Umstead State Park
A free copy of an EELE is available by attending the park's EELE workshop.
Resources can be found on the 2017 Year of the Spider page
Resources can be found on the 100 s'More Years page.
Resources can be found on the Dance in the Rain page.
Resources can be found on the Emerge and Fly page.
Science activities in parks (PDF)
Environmental Education Certification. The N.C. Office of Environmental Education manages a nationally recognized professional development program that certifies educators in environmental education. Most of the workshops can be applied toward EE certification in one of three categories: Criteria I, II or III.
Advanced Interpretive Training (AIT). This certification is offered only to employees within the Division of Parks and Recreation. However, other educators are welcome to attend the AIT workshops listed in this calendar.
Browse workshops below:
This workshop includes an Environmental Education curriculum guide with pre, post and on-site activities that focus on the ecology of Mt Mitchell State Park. You can use the workshop for Components I, II, or III of the EE Certification program. Designed for grades 3 through 6, meets established curriculum objectives of the NC Dept. of Public Instruction Common Core and Essential Standards.
Learn about the techniques used in the field to study our mountain streams and the fish and wildlife that inhabit them. Workshop will include actual survey and identification of fish and aquatic insects. We will also learn about trout management in NC, with an emphasis on Brook Trout populations, and discuss some of the factors affecting our mountain waterways.
This workshop, designed primarily for educators, will focus on black bears in North Carolina. A majority of the workshop will be spent learning about the life history and current research on black bears, as well as activities that can be incorporated into interpretive opportunities. Supplemental resource materials will be provided.
