Fence in the foreground with grass surrounding it and sharp peaked mountains in the background.

Welcome to MEEA’s Online Environmental Education Program.

MEEA’s goal for the online Environmental Education program is to offer flexible, on-going professional development course opportunities for formal and non-formal educators in Montana. Each course is intended to build key competencies and skills in a particular subject or focus area. 

About the Online Courses:

  • Each course requires an 8-12 hour time commitment for over 6-8 weeks.
  • Each course consists of 4-6 modules. You will build on knowledge learned in each module through focused tasks and assignments that offer active learning experiences.
  • Courses are offered with suggested timelines and due dates to encourage your timely completion of assignments.
  • Courses are offered asynchronously using the Moodle platform. Login information is provided when you are accepted into the course.
  • Courses are moderated by 1-2 professionals in the field. Moderators provide feedback and grades for submitted assignments, and are available to answer questions regarding tasks or assignments.
  • You will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing your course. 
  • Professional Development Units (PDUs) are available through MT OPI to certified teachers upon successful completion of an online course.
  • Interested in continuing your learning? You can use your successfully completed course to work towards an eeCredential (series of 3-4 eeCourses).

The eeCredential courses meet NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence as building blocks to eeCredentials. MEEA currently offers 3 eeCourses a year. More courses are in development with future opportunities to build them into an eeCredential in a specific area. 

Course Schedule: Winter/Spring: January – March; Summer: June – August; Fall: September – November

Courses previously offered:

  • Teaching and Learning Outdoors
  • Environmental Justice

NOW OPEN:

MEEA Online Course:Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

Dates: Saturday, Jan 18 – Sunday, Mar 16, 2025

Cost: $60.00

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and ways of knowing. It is designed as an introductory course, meant to spark your interest in further learning how we can more intentionally and respectfully incorporate traditional ways of knowing into our environmental and outdoor learning programming.

The TEK & EE modules incorporate a variety of readings, videos, and other interactive activities. In the modules, you will: 

  • Identify some of the opportunities and challenges in using TEK to address environmental challenges.  
  • Develop your personal guidelines for integrating principles of TEK in your teaching which honor, acknowledge and care take TEK and Indigenous people. 
  • Compare and Contrast Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Ways of Knowing with Western Science & Ways of Knowing 
  • Support your students in developing relationships with the world around them.
  • Teach a lesson or a unit which integrates TEK knowledge and/or practices with your students. 
     

This 8-week course is designed for 12-15 hours of active participation and work. The course has five modules, including:

  • Intro Module: Get to know MEEA
  • Module 1: What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge?
  • Module 2: Comparing Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science
  • Module 3: Learning Through Observational Science
  • Module 4: Designing Your Teaching Plan

15 Professional Development Units (PDUs) are available through MT OPI to certified teachers upon successful completion of the TEK & EE course.

Applications are open now, and space is limited for this course. If you are interested in participating in the TEK & EE course, please apply by completing this google form: MEEA Online Course Application

If accepted, the course moderators will contact you by January 13th with registration instructions.