Teacher & College Courses

Teacher Professional Development & Adult Programs

Throughout the academic year, the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the Dunes Learning Center (DLC) provide high-quality, professional development opportunities for k-12 classroom teachers and non-formal educators. Workshops feature experts in various fields of study, hands-on activities, and adventures within the national lakeshore. Illinois teachers can receive continuing education units (CEUs) for participating in these workshops. Indiana teachers can receive continuing renewal units. Indiana University Northwest and Chicago State University (CSU) will offer one hour of graduate credit for the overnight workshops for an extra fee. For university credit, register with IUN through their website: www.iun.edu and with CSU by phoning Mike Siola at 773-995-2964. Fees listed here are for the registration, materials, meals, and lodging associated with the workshop and are paid directly to the DLC. To register for any of the workshops, contact the DLC at 219-395-9555 to receive a registration form or use the form listed after one of the below educator workshops and send it in to the DLC. All workshops will be held at the DLC unless noted otherwise.

DATE CHANGED** the new date is Saturday, March 3, 2012
Project Learning Tree
Learn ready-made lessons and activities for your own environmental programs.
Cost: $30 Lunch Provided
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Dunes Learning Center,
700 Howe Road, Chesterton, Indiana

PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY Wednesday, February 24, 2012
Click here to register for Project Learning Tree

Fri.& Sat., April 20-21, 2012
Native American Studies
A fresh look at Native American history in the Calumet Region with visits to local resources and live demonstrations.

Cost: $100 Meals Provided
Time: 4 p.m. Fri. through 5 p.m. Sat.
Location: Dunes Learning Center,
700 Howe Road, Chesterton, Indiana
Cabin lodging available and included in fee.

PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY Monday, April 9, 2012
Click Here to register for Native American Studies

Saturday, May 5, 2012
Healthy Water, Healthy People
Makes complex water quality topics meaningful with interactive lessons.

Cost: $35 Lunch Provided
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Dunes Learning Center,
700 Howe Road, Chesterton, Indiana

PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY Friday, April 27, 2012
Click Here to register for Healthy Water Healthy People

Visit the Northwest Indiana Teacher Training Hub

Naturalist Internships

Share your passion for the environment and have a positive impact on thousands of kids in the Naturalist Internship program. Spend nearly ten months developing teaching, natural history, and other skills that will prepare you for success as an environmental educator. Beginning in late August and continues through the beginning of June. Dunes Learning Center's primary audience is 5th through 8th grade students who participate in our innovative environmental education programs.