Professional Development

In the ever-changing world and field of environmental education, we understand how valuable continuing education is to our members. This is why PAEE is excited and proud to announce our newly formed Professional Development Committee. This committee is devoted to bringing PAEE members meaningful, engaging and relevant monthly professional development sessions at no cost to PAEE members. Topics will vary by month and will be aligned to the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence for Professional Development of Environmental Educators.

The PAEE Professional Development Annual Themes are: Best Practices in Teaching, Assessment and Evaluation, Promoting Inclusivity, Research in an Evolving EE Field, and Best Business Practices. They are an adaptation of the NAAEE professional development framework themes for environmental educators and were chosen to collectively represent significant realms of environmental education.

We hope this Committee’s work helps you to expand your knowledge, make connections and reflect and assess your practices. Check this page for updates as information on speakers and registration becomes available.

Upcoming Opportunities

SE Region Event - Artificial Intelligence Across Industries

In Person, Monday, October 27 from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
West Chester University, Skyes Ballroom

This convening brings together a diverse audience—educators, industry professionals, workforce development leaders, higher education, student leaders, families, non-profits, science centers, libraries, and community members—for an afternoon of learning, networking, and collaboration.

Why Attend? Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming every sector—from education and healthcare to manufacturing and public services. This event offers a unique opportunity to:

Gain insights from experts during the AI Across Industry Panel
Engage in meaningful dialogue during Round Table Discussions
Build connections across sectors to foster innovation and shared understanding
Explore how AI is shaping the future of work, learning, and community impact

Schedule:

12:30–1:15 PM – Lunch & Networking

1:15–2:30 PM – AI Across Industry Panel

2:30–3:30 PM – Round Table Discussions

Lunch will be provided. Registration Deadline: October 17, 2025

Details & Registration: http://bit.ly/paseedfallconvening

Questions? Contact executivecommittee@paseed.org We hope you’ll join us!

Celebrating Science in the Steel City

In Person SW Region Event (hosted by Backyard Nature)

Saturday, November 8 from 12:00-3:00 PM

Calling all scientists across the greater Pittsburgh area! Let’s show off your work!

Science, as both a sector and a public service, has been feeling the pressure in the last few months, so let’s make sure the community knows what amazing scientists we have right here in our own Steel City! We are inviting scientists to create family-friendly interactive tabling displays and activities to share on Saturday, November 8, from 12-3 pm, Pittsburgh location TBD. (Please note this date was moved from the original August date.) This will be science outreach festival purely to celebrate the important work happening right here in Pittsburgh!

What do you need to participate?

Family-friendly props and pictures to help you talk about your work
A spirit of enthusiasm and wonder

And remember, this event is meant to be family-friendly outreach. That doesn’t mean bringing lots of charts, graphs, posters, completed analyses, or even a conference lightning talk. This is where you get to broadly share your discipline or field, your favorite part of your work, the aspects of your work that you find exciting, important, or fascinating. Think the level of information that might be in a PBS NOVA or Nature episode!

This event is being hosted by Backyard Nature, a 501(c)3 based out of Penn Hills, PA, with support from Pittsburgh Healthcare Workers and Scientists and a coalition of researchers from the Pittsburgh area. Essentially, professional nerds who love the planet and who love science. The goal is to create a day of wonder, curiosity, and joy for our greater community in a way that sparks a love and appreciation for science as a passion, a profession, and a benefit to society.

Walking Softer Education: Empower Youth, Activate Change

Monday, November 17, 6:00 PM

Walking Softer Education teaches high school-aged youth about environmental solutions and empowers them to implement community-based environmental projects, providing up to $2,000 in funding. Educators who take their students through the program will receive a $1,000 teacher stipend, and participating juniors and seniors can apply for a scholarship of up to $20,000 to support further education. In this webinar, we will walk you through everything you need to know about signing up, participating in the program, and supporting your students on their sustainability journey.

PAEE Members – FREE

NonMembers – $5.00