Project Learning Tree of Washington D.C. reports that teachers across the United States are using Earth & Sky radio programs and interviews as an effective tool for classroom learning.

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental educational program of the American Forest Foundation. Earth & Sky partnered with PLT in 2002 to correlate Earth & Sky’s educational radio shows with PLT’s learning materials and activities.

‘Earth & Sky can bring a multimedia component into the classroom,’ said Ryan Britton, Earth & Sky executive director, about the partnership. ‘We provide another way that teachers can engage their students.’

Earth & Sky’s short and informative radio shows help pique students’ interest with real answers coming from real scientists. Teachers have compared playing the radio shows to bringing an expert speaker to the classroom, but without the hassle.

Educators can visit Earth & Sky’s Teacher’s Center to find radio shows grouped by topic and related PLT activities. In the classroom, the radio shows can provide real-life examples of concepts that are already being discussed. One teacher said, ‘Kids are enthralled to listen to someone’s explanation, not just read it.’