Empowering Environmental Education Through Our First Alabama STEM Teacher Externship

Teachers are among the most dedicated and selfless individuals, and we owe them a great deal of gratitude for their hard work. They are essential in sparking a love and curiosity for the environment in their students, which is crucial for the future of conservation and sustainability. This year, through the Alabama STEM Council Teacher Externship, local high school educators had the opportunity to delve deeper into some of Jefferson County Greenways' environmental initiatives.

This unique professional development opportunity gave local high school teachers hands-on experience in conservation science and STEM-based environmental programs right here in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Local STEM Teachers Dive into Environmental Science

Educators from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate (JCIB), Hoover High School, and Jackson-Olin High School spent several immersive days shadowing our programs. These experiential learning opportunities took place at two of our greenspaces, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and Ruffner Mountain, ecological gems in the Birmingham area.

Life of a Stream at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Teachers participated in our Life of a Stream program alongside students from Breakthrough Birmingham. They learned firsthand about water quality testing and aquatic bioassessments, connecting science with the health of Alabama’s local watershed.
Native Plant Propagation Day at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
Educators joined community volunteers in a hands-on effort to propagate native plants to support local biodiversity. Teachers also heard firsthand what it takes to properly manage a nature preserve.
MAPS Bird Banding at Ruffner Mountain
At Ruffner Mountain, teachers explored bird conservation through the MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) program. They learned more about the methods used and the importance of monitoring bird populations.
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Real-World STEM Experience Translates to the Classroom

By engaging directly with these programs, teachers were able to see how environmental science is applied in the real world and learned how to bring these experiences back to their classrooms. During our debrief session, the teachers shared how they would integrate these experiences into their curriculum and inspire students to explore environmental careers. Here's what some of them had to say:

“Engaging in this STEM externship within the greenspaces of Birmingham has been phenomenal! I now have the knowledge, experience, and professional network to provide learners with real-world connections to Alabama biodiversity, conservation, and ecological restoration. This enrichment will inspire aspiring STEM professionals to become passionate stewards of conservation.”
— Lara Rosato, Hoover High School Biology Teacher.‍
“Nature has a way of winning people over. I saw students’ fears turn into fascination as they waded into a stream for the first time. These hands-on experiences in nature don’t just teach content—they build confidence and connection. I’m excited to incorporate what I learned about water sampling, soil testing, and cultivating native plants into my chemistry curriculum this fall.
These three spaces are more than parks—they’re living classrooms where conservation, education, and community come together. They offer miles of trails and habitat that provide not only teaching tools, but much-needed peace for the soul. As I return to the classroom this fall, I do so with muddy shoes, a full notebook, and a renewed sense of purpose. My students won’t just be learning chemistry—they’ll be learning how science connects to the places they live and the watersheds that sustain us all.”
— Tandy Petrov, Jackson-Olin High School Chemistry Teacher.
“ I am so impressed with the Jefferson County Greenways conservation and education staff. They were pragmatic and passionate about their work. These smart folks do such a great job of articulating the balance required to actively manage these ecosystems while serving the needs of Greenspace visitors. I can't wait to get my students back to Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and Ruffner Mountain to do some science."
‍— Ryan Reardon, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate Environmental Systems and Societies and Biology Teacher.

Life of A Stream program at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

A Full Circle in STEM Mentorship

On a personal note, having Ryan Reardon as an extern was especially meaningful to me. As my former AP Environmental Science teacher at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Ryan was the one who truly inspired me to pursue an environmental degree. Seeing him now empower a new generation of students with the same passion and energy was a full-circle moment for me.

Stella Pfau
Director of Programs and Community Partnerships
Jefferson County Greenways

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