FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2005

IDNR Offers Educators Learning Opportunities - Sign-up Offered Now for 2005-2006 Entice Workshops

Springfield--The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Education is sponsoring 19 educator workshops through the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program for 2005-2006. These free workshops offer Continuing Professional Development Units (CDPU) for teachers.

“These workshops provide teachers with the chance to learn techniques for fostering natural resources stewardships in their students,” said Jeff Vose, IDNR director of education. “They center around the ecology of Illinois.”

ENTICE workshops provide natural resources information, classroom activities and supplemental educational materials. When incorporated into lessons with students, the materials provided encourage and promote stewardship of our state’s natural resources. ENTICE also offers participants the opportunity to network with other educators in a friendly, cooperative, learning environment

Workshops are open to all educators and are designed for targeted grade levels. Maximum enrollment for each course is 30 participants. To register, print, complete and mail the registration form to Illinois ENTICE, IDNR Education, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, or you may complete the form, scan it and email it to teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us. No fax or phone registrations are accepted.

For further information, contact the IDNR Division of Education at teachkids@dnrmail.state.il.us or 217-524-4126.
Illinois ENTICE provides the following items for participants.
• free workshop/resource materials
• meals during the workshop
• opportunities to connect with natural resources and education professionals
• lesson plans and activities correlated to the Illinois Learning Standards
• for teachers, continuing professional development units

Schedule:

September 10, 2005
Scientific Inquiry: How to Apply Illinois Learning Standard 11A to Natural Resources Investigations
Receive training to integrate the steps of scientific inquiry into natural resource topics, with hands-on examples
Irons Oaks Environmental Center, Olympia Fields

September 17, 2005
Illinois’ Urban Wildlife
Learn where to look for urban wildlife, what you can expect to find, how to identify species and how to improve urban wildlife habitat at your school.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago

September 19th, 2005
Illinois’ Aquatic Ecology
Learn about relationships among aquatic organisms and about the physical factors that affect them. Receive tips on species identification.
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur

October 1, 2005
Illinois Insects
Spend the day learning about insects: what they are; their characteristics; where they live; how to identify some common insects; why they are so successful; and more! Weather-permitting, we’ll find and study insects in the prairie.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia

October 22, 2005
Incorporating Nature into the Language Arts and Fine Arts
The natural world can be an inspiration to language arts and fine arts students! Work with naturalists and educators in hands-on learning experiences and will take home many strategies and materials to implement.
Regional Regional Environmental Center, Pecatonica Environmental Center, Pecatonica

November 15, 2005
Illinois Birds, Featuring the Wild Turkey
The first ENTICE workshop featuring a partnership of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and Bass Pro Shops. Learn general information about Illinois bird species, including their life history and roles in the ecosystem, and take part in the initiation of the NWTF Turkey Box program in Illinois.
Bass Pro Shops, Gurnee

February 4, 2006
Issues Investigation
Learn the steps needed to provide successful issues investigations. Practice the process by utilizing current natural resources issues relevant to the area.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago

February 8, 2006
Illinois’ Furbearers
A general introduction to the furbearing mammals of Illinois and their effect on the settlement and history of the state. Learn about the new “Wild Illinois History” Internet site and demonstrate many other resources.
West Sugar Grove Nature Center, McLean

February 18, 2006
Issues Investigation
Learn the steps needed to provide successful issues investigations. You’ll also practice the process by utilizing current natural resources issues relevant to the area.
Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Homer

April 1, 2006
Illinois’ Fishes
Learn about native and exotic fishes of Illinois, their characteristics, adaptations and habitats. We’ll look at some of these fascinating animals, too, both at the Aquarium and on a boat ride on Lake Michigan.
John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

April 8, 2006
Native Americans and Nature
Learn about Native American peoples and how they used natural resources in this free, interactive workshop.
Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown

April 8, 2006
Illinois Birds
Learn general information about Illinois bird species, including their life history and roles in the ecosystem. Identification skills discussed will be put into practice on the bird observation hike.
Volo Bog State Natural Area, Ingleside

May 6, 2006
Illinois’ Forest Resources
Learn tree anatomy, tree identification, tree adaptations, forest products, change in Illinois’ forests over time and other forestry-related topics.
Morton Arboretum, Lisle

May 20, 2006
Illinois’ Aquatic Ecology
Learn about relationships among aquatic organisms and about the physical factors that affect them. Receive tips on species identification.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago

June 3, 2006
Illinois’ Geological Resources: Fossils
Join scientists from the Illinois State Geological Survey as they enlighten us about fossils found in Illinois.
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, Morris and Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area, Braceville

June 8, 2006
Schoolyard Habitat Development
Work with resource professionals to learn basic habitat design, development and maintenance techniques. Become aware of grant opportunities and obtain supplemental materials to help you get started with your own schoolyard habitat development.
Hamilton County High School, McLeansboro

June 15, 2006
Illinois Prairies
Look at the history of the prairie in Illinois from pre-settlement to today. Information presented at this free workshop will be applicable to both science and social science learning standards. A visit to FermiLab’s restored prairie and bison herd will be included in the workshop.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia

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