Three local teachers learned how to get students excited about environmental science by participating in the Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education in August.

Leonia Middle School teacher Christine Alia and Leonia High School teachers Ann Binetti and Susan Slater took part in the weeklong camp.

The program, the New Jersey Audubon Society co-sponsored, sent 28 teachers from northern New Jersey to the area’s marshes and rivers.

Binetti said it focused on "inquiry-based learning," which gets students asking questions and finding the answers themselves.

"Being on the other side of the fence as a student really showed me that you can’t just lecture," she said. "You really have to get them involved."

Slater said that she really enjoyed going to all the sites and exploring.

"One of the things it brought to the front of my mind is, if I like to explore that much then the students will as well," she said.

Slater said she already tries to do some inquiry-based work but definitely learned some new lessons. The three teachers also liked meeting other teachers.

"Now we have an opportunity to share with each other," Slater said.

The Leonia teachers are already planning to apply for a grant to create a transition between middle school and high school. Slater said her students aren’t familiar with the Overpeck preserve in the borough.

She hopes to have high school students teach the middle school students about the preserve.

"Now they’ll have an introduction and we can study the preserve more in-depth," Slater said. "We want them to have a sense of ownership and pride since the preserve is in their area."

Kelly Reed, director of the Honeywell Hometown Solutions, said it’s important that his company gets involved in its communities with more than money.

"We’re looking to inspire teachers," Reed said. "We can inspire a whole lot more children by working with teachers rather than just bringing in a group of kids."

Approximately 60 percent of the company’s portfolio are in energy so programs on conserving the habitat are important, Reed said.

"We’re looking to combine math and science with habitat research," he said. "With Audubon we really found a partner for a hands-on program that gets teachers out of their comfort zone."

He said having teachers collect soil samples from around the area will get them to have kids bring in soil and water samples from their neighborhoods.

Dale Rosselet, New Jersey Audobon Society vice president for education, said the field trips for the teachers provides ideas for getting students involved in the learning process.

"The students don’t necessarily know that they’re learning because they’re having so much fun," Rosselet said.

Binetti said the program was definitely helpful for the teachers.

"It was fun to be learning as a student again," she said. "It really opens your eyes to say, ‘I have to teach differently now.’"