Implementing an Environmental Educational Experience Program

Presented by Diane Krug, Science Department The Greenwood School

FCIS 2010 Conference

Why Environmental Science?

Get Students Out of Doors No Child Left Inside

Real World Science Hands-on experiments that demonstrate the real-life

applications of science can help enliven the subject for students

What Is Environmental Education?

Environmental education is the study of the relationships and interactions between dynamic natural and human systems.

Environmental Education

Field and classroom learning Outdoor education, experiential education, and place-based education

teaching methods Is inherently interdisciplinary Promotes school/community partnerships

- No Child Left Inside

Environmental Education

Hands-on, student-centered, inquiry driven, engages higher level thinking skills

Relevant to students' everyday lives Develops awareness, increases knowledge, builds skills, and

creates the capacity for stewardship and good citizenship regarding the environment upon which we depend for life support

-No Child Left Inside

Environmental Education

Helps address the causes of “nature deficit disorder” Boosts math, science, reading, writing and social

studies achievement

- No Child Left Inside

Getting Started

Greenwood Campus Wetlands

Use What’s Already Available School location can enhance some unit studies School library research resources Science and performing arts teachers Online educational applications

National Environmental Education Foundation Webinar archive http://www.eeweek.org/webinars

Outdoor Classroom

Some Typical Activities

Collect water samples Take temperature readings Use microscopes Hands-on owl pellet dissection Document activities with video Share knowledge on class WIKI

Environmental Resources

Location Can Determine Course of Study What’s in your backyard?

Wetlands proximity determines Greenwood’s curriculum

Online Resources Wilson’s Encyclopedia of Life

http://www.eol.org/index

Acorn Naturalist Catalog Viewing scopes, guide books, standard science supplies

Virtual Resources

Science Pro Ambassador Program Bring a scientist into your classroom

http://www.scienceworx.org/science-pros.php

YouTube! Extracting DNA From a Strawberry http://www.youtube.com/user/AstellasUS

Integrating Technology

Student Created Film Clips Greenwood enters Riverkeeper PSA contest and WINS!

Integrating Technology

Class Wiki Enables Collaboration Knowledge Share

www.greenwoodeee.pbworks.com

Integrating Technology

You Tube or Teacher Tube allows for video creation and sharing

http://greenwoodeee.pbworks.com/w/page/32287746/native-species-videos

Join With Others

Local, state, and national organizations make great PARTNERS

Nature Conservancy St. Johns Riverkeeper Florida Native Plant Society

QUESTIONS? Greenwood Outdoor Classroom

REFERENCES

No Child Left Inside http://www.cbf.org/Page.aspx?pid=946

Science Workshttp://www.scienceworx.org/science-pros.php