Environmental Programs
Santa Cruz County Office of Education is committed to advancing environmental literacy in our county. We provide districts, schools and community partners with environmental education programs, resources, and professional learning experiences.
Environmental themes—energy, natural systems, climate, sustainability—engage students in real-world, relevant studies that support equitable development of strong science, language, and math skills and prepare students for civic engagement and career paths.
Resources for Environmental Education
Visit our Teacher Leadership Institute website for NGSS & Environmental Literacy Lesson Sequences and our Environmental Literacy for All website to find tools and resources for students, teachers, administrators, and community partners. Topics include Tools for Green Schools, Climate Education, Research on Benefits of Environmental Education, and Awards and Grants.
Quick Guide to Next Generation Science and Environmental Education Programs
Across Santa Cruz County, local Environmental Education organizations offer programs to support school curricula and connect students to their local environment. SCCOE has developed this online guide to help teachers access Environmental Education resources. View programs by grade level with connections to science standards, descriptions, links to program providers, and more!
SCC Guide to NGSS and EE produced by the CREEC Network, a project of the California Department of Education, and Santa Cruz County Office of Education with generous support from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz County Residential Outdoor Science School
At the Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School, fifth and sixth grade students experience a four- or five-day residential, hands-on science program. Students focus on investigating the rich coastal redwood forest ecosystem that surrounds our coastal community.
CREEC: California Regional Environmental Education Community
The CREEC Network is a project of the California Department of Education. The CREEC Network fosters regional partnerships throughout the state of California to promote environmental education and environmental literacy by providing teachers with access to high quality professional learning opportunities and education resources.