Summary
Pennsylvania has a strong network of student and youth environmental education programs, many with direct connections to watershed monitoring, aquatic ecology, and AML/AMD topics. This page covers major programs for K-12 students and youth groups.
Pennsylvania Envirothon #
Pennsylvania Envirothon is an annual competition for high school students that combines classroom learning and outdoor field activities across five subject areas: Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife, and a rotating Current Environmental Issue. Teams of five students compete at the county level, with winners advancing to the state competition. The 2025 PA Envirothon state competition was held in Windber, PA — directly in Pennsylvania’s AML country — and the annual state competition connects strongly to watershed and water quality topics relevant to AMD.
The Aquatic Ecology station is particularly relevant to AML/AMD work: students learn to assess stream quality, identify aquatic organisms, manage watersheds, and determine non-point source pollution. DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry administers the forestry component. County conservation districts coordinate local competitions. Visit envirothonpa.org for current competition dates, study materials, and teacher resources.
DCNR Watershed Education Program #
The PA DCNR Bureau of State Parks Watershed Education Program is the largest school monitoring network in Pennsylvania. The program, aimed at students in grades 6-12, promotes hands-on water quality investigations, networking, stewardship, and community service to produce environmentally literate citizens. Over 100 school districts have participated. Visit dcnr.pa.gov for current program contacts and teacher resources.
Youth Environmental Learning Series (YELS) #
YELS, sponsored by DCNR, consists of programs that allow young people to explore their environment with others of the same age and abilities. Visit dcnr.pa.gov for current program availability and registration.
Give Water a Hand #
A national watershed education program designed to involve young people in local environmental service projects. Free Action and Leader guides are available for download. Designed by the Environmental Research Center. Visit uwex.edu/erc/gwah (verify link currency).
Creek Connections (Allegheny College) #
Allegheny College’s Creek Connections program delivers monthly STEM and environmental literacy learning experiences to western Pennsylvania schools, focusing on water quality monitoring and hands-on aquatic investigations. The program has received PA DEP EE Grant funding and serves schools in Crawford, Erie, Allegheny, and Beaver counties. Visit sites.allegheny.edu/creekconnections for current program information.
College Programs with AML/AMD Relevance #
Several Pennsylvania universities offer programs relevant to AML/AMD research and environmental education careers:
- Lehigh University — Research programs in AMD, earth systems, and environmental studies through the Lehigh Earth Observatory (LEO).
- Penn State — Extensive environmental science, hydrology, and extension education programs. Penn State has also received NOAA B-WET funding to support PA environmental literacy networks statewide.
- PA Center for Environmental Education (PCEE) — Lists environmental education programs in PA colleges including teacher certification courses and graduate degree programs. Visit pcee.org.
Related Pages #
- Educator Resources and Training
- Community and Public Programs
- AMD-Specific Education
- Macroinvertebrate Guide (Watershed Tools — for student monitoring programs)
Source and Last Reviewed
Sources: PA Envirothon (envirothonpa.org, 2025); DCNR; AMR Clearinghouse source material; PA DEP EE Grant awards 2024-2025.
Last reviewed: 2026-03 | Program contacts and registration information change annually — verify with program sponsors directly.
Tags: education, volunteer, practitioner, educator, pa
