Resources and Professional Development

Mass Audubon offers professional development workshops designed for active participation and practical application in the classroom, whether virtual or in-person. Teachers can attend workshops offered on a variety of topics or our education staff can design a workshop to meet your specific needs. 

Workshops are designed to increase content knowledge, provide teachers with hands-on STEM-focused learning experiences, practice with instructional tools and offer resources for teaching engaging science lessons in the schoolyard or classroom.  

We use teaching and learning methods associated with inquiry-based instruction while helping teachers navigate standards and curriculum alignment. 

Resources

For Early Educators 

Mass Audubon is pleased to share activity-based teaching units aimed for students ages 2.9–5. By observing and learning about the natural world in classroom learning stations, outside in the school yard setting, and in their local communities, children can acquire an increased understanding about natural science and the world. 

The publication of this Innovative Preschool STEM Curriculum was made possible through a competitive grant awarded by the Department of Early Education and Care.

For Grades K-5

Teaching Units

Through activities, prompted group discussions, role play, explorations, design projects, and observation, these 4-lesson units will help you introduce students to birds, observe birds in the school yard, establish and monitor a school yard bird feeding station, and help students observe birds in their own neighborhoods. These units are aligned with Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.

Science of Massachusetts

These 5-7 week science units are jointly taught by you and an experienced Mass Audubon teacher-naturalist. They are designed to complement existing science topics while building your skills in teaching outdoor, inquiry-based science.

For Middle & High School 

Youth Climate Leadership Program

This one-year program brings teams of middle and high school students together to create and manage Climate Leadership Projects for their schools and communities. 

"Our Coast, Our Future" Climate Curriculum

This 7-part unit framework for middle school students presents a snapshot of Massachusetts coastal communities in the face of climate change, then uses a challenge-based structure to provide students an opportunity to dig into locally relevant issues. 

iPlan: Mapping the Future

iPlan is a free online game in which players work with maps to construct land use plans and investigate and solve simulated urban and regional planning problems.