The Oxford Institute for Environmental Education is designed to help teachers -- regardless of background or grade level -- develop their own teaching plans using their school yards for scientific investigation.

For ten days in the summer, participating teachers learn the basic principles of ecology in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, how to apply this knowledge to lesson plans, and how to develop their school yards for environmental education.

At a follow-up meeting in the fall, teachers share their experiences in implementing their teaching plans and discuss continuing projects.

The institute, located at the Oxhouse Science Center on the Oxford College of Emory University campus, includes the J. F. Landt Field laboratory, a small lake, and forty seven acrea of forest and grassland. Nearby upland and floodplain forest communities and numerous lakes and streams in the area offer opportunities for field trips and investigations. Local school yards with outdoor classrooms serve as additional resources for participants.

Oxford College is a two-year undergraduate division of Emory University located in Oxford, Georgia, just north of Interstate 20, approximately 35 miles east of Atlanta.

The program is taught by Steve Baker, Eloise Carter, and Theodosia Wade of the Oxford College Department of Biology, all of whom are scientists with teaching and research experience in a wide variety of ecoystsems. A classroom teacher is also on staff to help participants apply workshop activities and knowledge to the classroom.