ECO Classrooms

ECO Clăssrooms Teaching Environmental Literacy in Schools According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), students in the OECD* countries are learning about... Environmental science: % students 76% 70% 62% Air pollution Plant/animal extinction Deforestation 60% 59% 59% Energy shortages Water Nuclear shortages waste *OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development A group of 34 countries (including the U.S.) committed to fair global policies in governance, economics, and social issues 098% of students in OECD countries are in schools that teach environmental science as part of the curriculum How do different countries compare? PISA has identified a range of knowledge levels for students in OECD and partnered countries Level A is the highest ranking Students at this level can consistently identify, explain, and apply scientific knowledge related to a variety of environmental topics HIGHEST % of Level A students: (environmental science): Approx. A Hong Kong (China) + Finland 32% 31% Most OECD Japan 28% countries have at least Estonia 26% 15% I Canada 26% of their students at Level A Level D (and below) is the lowest Students at this level have trouble answering questions related to basic environmental science topics LOWER % of Level A students: (environmental science): Approx. The United States 17% France 17% 16% Italy 2 Thailand I Mexico 16% in OECD countries 8% performed below Level D 3% "By building students' skills in environmental science and referring to the environment throughout the curriculum, schools can help to foster an interest in the subject that persists beyond the school gates and into adulthood." - Francesca Borgonovi, PISA How are students becoming environmentally literate? Innovative teaching methods % of students in OECD countries attending schools that offer: 77% 75% 67% Outdoor education Museum trips Visits to science centers Free tools and lesson plans The Center for Ecoliteracy offers several downloadable resources for students of all ages, including: Vs Food, Inc. Discussion Guide Needs and Wants Activity Teaches high school students about food production with the film Food, Inc. Clarifies the distinction between things needed for survival vs. wants Make a Mini Greenhouse from a CD Case Instructs students on how to reuse items rather than throwing them away Other websites that offer free lesson plans: Forestlnfo.org • Forest habitats • Diversity K-12 • Endangerment SequoiaRiverLands.org K-12 • Water pollution • Aquatic ecology • Recycling Tceq. Texas.gov • Clean water • Acid rain • Conservation • Composting K-12 LearnNC.org • Sustainability of biofuels • Alternative energies • Soil erosion 6-12 What does it take to teach environmental science? Requirements vary depending on location, but may include: K-Grade 5: Grades 6-12: Completion of customary course of studies for elementary Completion of normal course of study required to become a science teacher education Additional certification for Incorporation of environmental studies according to guidelines set forth by the principal and/or school district environmental science teaching Specific certification in earth and space science or environmental science Award-winning environmental science teachers. These educators have gone above and beyond to help their students gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues: Award Teacher School 2012 Richard C. Bartlett Deborah Wasylik Dr. Phillips High School Orlando, FL Environmental Education Award 2012 Bartlett Merit Award Kristine Rademacher-Gorovitz Desert Vista High School Phoenix, AZ 2012 Bartlett Merit Award Paul Ritter Pontiac Township High School Pontiac, IL 2011-2012 Presidential Innovation Lizanne Cox Common Ground High School New Haven, CT Award for Environmental Educators 2011-2012 Presidential Innovation Robert Carroll Plaza Middle School Virginia Beach, VA Award for Environmental Educators 2011 Chevrolet GREEN Educator Beverly Balash Bluffton-Harrison Middle School Bluffton, IN Award 2010 Green Prize in Environmental Mike Town Redmond High School Redmond, WA Education from the NEA teacher portal Created for TeacherPortal.com QuinStreet, Inc., 2012 Sources CBS News, "Extreme weather could come with record Arctic Ocean ice melt, Chip Reid, September 2010 Center for Ecoliteracy, instructional tools Forestlnfo.org, lesson plans 3rd-5th grade LearnNC.org, lesson plans National Environmental Education Foundation, Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award Winners National Geographic, "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" National Resources Defense Council, "Global Warming" Northern Illinois University, teacher certification-geology and environmental geosciences OECD PISA "How 'green' are today's 15-year-olds?" April 2012 Seattle Times, "Redmond High environmental science teacher wins $25,000 Green Prize," Katherine Long, April 2010 Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Environmental education for students Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, resources for teachers and educators U.N. News Centre, "Deforestation in decline but rate remains alarming, UN agency says," March 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Environmental Education and Literacy" U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2011-2012 PIAEE regional winners Wane.com, "Bluffton teacher wins national award for environmental education," Matt Behrens, September 2011