The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Piscataquis County SWCD office in the Dover-Foxcroft Plaza Mall behind McDonalds. Foxcroft Academy Dean of Academics Elizabeth Postlewaite, who is also a district supervisor, will discuss the Forest Discovery Box and the group will brainstorm applications for this teaching tool that meet today's curriculum needs.

The Forest Discovery Box was designed by Irving Corporation. Each box contains videos, posters, seed samples, wood cookies and more. Irving donated 20 of these boxes to the district to help promote natural resource education and the demonstration forest currently being developed in Williamsburg Plantation. Every school represented at the workshop will receive Forest Discovery Boxes.

Following the discussion period, teachers will be carpooled out to the Piscataquis County SWCD Demonstration Forest.

Postlewaite, along with Associate Supervisor Gordon Moore of the Maine Forest Service, will conduct a two-hour tour of the forest. They will touch on wildlife habitat, ways to work with students in a forest near your school, sampling techniques that align with the Maine Learning Results standards and more.

The Piscataquis County SWCD Demonstration Forest encompasses 180 acres of land. The property features two historical homestead sites, a glacially formed canyon that allows hikers to view tree canopy at eye level, an outdoor classroom and miles of nature trails with interpretive signposts. Road improvements, and construction of a privy, picnic tables, benches and a kiosk are planned.

The workshop will end at about 12:30 p.m. when teachers are returned to the mall. Some materials on the Maine Learning Results will be available for the brainstorming session, but educators possessing full copies of the Maine State Learning Results should bring them along. A snack will be provided between the discussion and the forest tour.

To register, or for more information, contact Sheila Grant at 564-2321.