Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is the American Forest Foundation's environmental education program that produces high-quality curriculum materials for students in grades PreK-12. PLT provides training and professional development opportunities for teachers, non-formal educators, and pre-service teachers (teachers in training.)

PLT teaches students how to think, not what to think about the environment.

Project Learning Tree Tennessee is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Forestry Association and the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Project Learning Tree provides formal and non-formal educators with curriculum, materials, and training in environmental education. Workshops take place at various locations throughout Tennessee.

Since the program began in the early 1970’s, over 500,000 educators have used PLT to teach about both the natural and built environment—forests, wildlife, water, air, energy, waste, climate change, invasive species, community planning, and culture, to name a few. PLT activities guide students through a process that begins with awareness, moves to knowledge, challenges preconceived ideas, and seeks constructive avenues for environmental action. PLT provides educators the tools they need to bring the environment into their classrooms—and their students outside into the environment.

 Benefits of Project Learning Tree

For Children:

  • Develop skills in creative problem solving, critical thinking, evaluation, research, and decision making.

  • Begin to make wise personal decisions about everyday matters that affect the environment.

  • Learn how to think, not what to think, about our complex environment.

For Teachers and Other Leaders:

  • Participate in creative, hands-on workshops that help improve their teaching skills.

  • Receive a ready-to-use PLT guide which actively involves students in the learning process.

  • Find that PLT activities work with a variety of teaching and learning styles.

  • Receive a complimentary subscription to PLT's national newsletter, the BRANCH, and Tennessee's PLT newsletter, filled with additional teaching ideas, activities and information.

Project Learning Tree Offers

CURRICULUM

PLT offers lesson plans and activities for all ages that can be easily incorporated into existing curriculum or used in informal settings.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

 

Upcoming PLT events and workshops.

Check out Project Learning Tree's environmental education online and in-person workshops for early childhood, K-8, and GreenSchools.

The trainings include demonstration videos, activities and planning exercises.