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Preparing for Earth Day: Environmental Learning Resources for Lesson Planning
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Callie Bendickson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Itron; Jada Lewis, Vice President for Programs, NEEF; Kirsten Lofton, STEM Program Coach; and Joyce Whitby, CEO and Co-Founder, Innovations4Education
Sponsored by Discovery Education and the Environmental Education Initiative
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Get ready to energize your Earth Day instruction with free, high‑impact resources created through the Environmental Education Initiative and powered by Discovery Education’s mission‑aligned partners, Itron and NEEF. This edWebinar brings together corporate partners and an experienced classroom educator for a dynamic conversation about real‑world environmental learning and practical classroom application.
Together, the presenters spotlight Excursion Across America, Generation Innovation, and other free student activities for grades 3–8—each designed to help students explore environmental challenges through authentic stories, multimodal media, and hands‑on problem solving.
Educators learn how to:
- Integrate standards‑aligned videos, interactives, and activities created with leading environmental and innovation partners
- Highlight real career pathways—from conservation to engineering—using partner insights that show how professionals protect the planet
- Use inquiry‑driven tasks to help students explore environmental issues and evaluate possible solutions
- Turn corporate perspectives into classroom‑ready strategies with support from an educator sharing practical tips and examples
This session equips educators with ready‑to‑use resources, classroom strategies, and partner‑connected career insights to inspire students to act for Earth—on Earth Day and throughout April and beyond. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to elementary and middle school teachers, school leaders, district leaders, and education technology leaders.
About the Presenters
Callie Bendickson has more than 25 years of experience leading corporate and community initiatives related to health care, education, and industry. She is currently the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Itron, where she is responsible for facilitating Itron’s ongoing commitment to creating resourceful communities through corporate philanthropy, employee engagement, community partnerships, and educational outreach.
Jada Lewis, Vice President for Programs at NEEF, works closely with NEEF program directors to design, implement, and evaluate programs and pilot initiatives, while also exploring new themes and concepts in environmental education. She helps ensure the credibility and effectiveness of NEEF’s work by coordinating evaluation activities, tracking emerging research and trends, and identifying and sharing promising strategies and best practices in lifelong environmental learning.
Her previous roles include Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Baton Rouge, Assistant Dean for Diversity at the Louisiana State University College of Engineering, Regional Technical Advisor for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and Operations Planning Engineer for Shell’s Convent Refinery. She also served a four‑year term on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, representing District 8 and helping shape statewide policies for public schools.
Kirsten Lofton brings 28 years of experience in education, with a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Bilingual Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent 15 years as an elementary classroom teacher before transitioning into instructional coaching, where she dedicated 12 years to supporting mathematics and science instruction.
She currently serves as a STEM Program Coach, partnering with educators to design and implement innovative, student-centered learning experiences. Kirsten is a member of the Discovery Education Network, holds certifications as a Seesaw Certified Educator, BrainPOP Certified Educator, and ISTE Certified Educator, and has earned a National STEM Certification.
Joyce Whitby is a lifelong EdTechKnowLedgist who started off as a special education educator in New York City and then taught graduate-level EdTech courses at Long Island University. Since then, Joyce has been in the business of educational technology and has held key leadership roles in sales leadership, professional development, and marketing with organizations like Apple Computer, Scientific Learning, and SchoolMessenger. She also has extensive experience working with startup EdTech ventures. In 2017, Joyce and her husband (aka @tomwhitby, co-founder of #edchat) launched their consulting business working with emerging and growing EdTech companies, helping to bring instructional technology solutions to schools, Innovations4Education.com.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Preserving the Planet community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe.
The Environmental Education Initiative empowers K–12 students to explore the world around them through free, standards‑aligned digital resources that bring environmental science to life. From interactive activities to multimedia lessons on topics like energy, forestry, and clean water, this initiative helps students develop critical-thinking skills and make informed decisions that support healthier communities and a more sustainable future.
