Go Green: Education for the EcosystemOur first environmental issue includes a roster of green heroes, plus lesson plans, service-learning opportunities, our Go Green Database, and more.
Credit: Bart Nagel
There are enormous gains to be made in public education -- potential reforms for what ails the system and promising innovations to bring it to the cutting edge. But every scenario for improvement takes for granted the good health and staying power of our ecosystem.
Can we assume that ongoing pollution of air, water, and soil, as well as extreme weather and other consequences of climate change, will not hamper our vital efforts to effect change? Unfortunately, no. Without significant support, the planet will not provide a safe context for growth or learning.
Fortunately, this reality has not escaped many people invested in education culture. Students, teachers, administrators, and environmental activists have found ways to integrate knowledge and awareness of Earth's fragility with classwork and community service, carefully blending concern with action to help kids feel engaged and hopeful.
That is also our goal with this "Go Green" issue of Edutopia. Every section of the magazine is tied to the theme, from the Editor's Note to Cool Schools to Design, and we enrich the whole package with feature stories dedicated to an exploration of green curriculum, a look at those bringing environmental awareness to education, and projects that involve students and teachers directly with protection of the environment.
Check out our searchable, resource-packed Go Green Database, which features links to innovative classroom projects, service-learning opportunities, green curricula, lesson plans, and online tools. Search by topic, grade level, cost, or location. You also can contribute your favorite green online-education resources -- look for the "Contribute" link on the Go Green Database home page, and we invite you to rate, browse, and discuss the resources in this ever-expanding green repository. Hopefully, green awareness and activism will become a permanent feature of all our lives.
Credit: Veer
Read these articles and resources about environmental actions in, around, and for schools:
- Kids Count: Student researchers become the eyes and ears of environmental scientists.
- Taking It to the Class: Try these great lesson ideas for environmentally conscious teachers (and their lucky students).
- Green Heroes: Here are some outstanding educators and students who have become agents of environmental change.
- Go Green Database: Find lesson plans, green curricula, service-learning opportunities, classroom projects, and much more.
Comments (15)
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I want administrators focus
I want administrators to focus on food and soft drinks in the schools, keeping in mind the obesity problems of students. This will have great impact on consumption patterns and contribute to GREEN concept.
Thanks for bringing in the
Thanks for bringing in the concept of going green to the classrooms. I am a teacher and I try my best to make my students understand the concept of going green in order to save the earth. This a habit and very few from our generation actually grew up with it and so most of us are reluctant to the idea. But if we keep on drilling the habit in the future generation, it would be a part of their lifestyle. Going green would be a necessity for them. I usually let my students brainstorm about ways of going green and change one thing about their household or their community every week. It can be anything from planting trees or having vegetarian food for a day. I am very excited about this site and look forward to checking this out from time to time.
Online Education
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Using the school as the lab for EE/RE - Camp Energy
Texas A&M University and the Bryan Independent School District (Bryan, Texas) have pilot tested a summer camp focused on energy. The pilot was one combination of seven modules that include:
1. Teacher training
2. Hands on labs testing building materials
3. Field trips to energy related venues
4. Competitions to build wind mills, water wheels, solar race cars, and model houses
5. Solar hot dog cookout
6. And assorted traditional media.
The pilot consisted of 25 students with five teachers and the limited assessment indicated learning took place. Informal feedback from parents, teachers and students was unanimous in requesting a follow on program.
The modules can be configured for Gifted/Talented or after school as well as some application in the classroom.
Link: http://iseebi.tamu.edu
Don Gilman, Principal Investigator
Broadening our Go Green adventure with Earth Charter values
The topics of nonviolence and peace are essential to 'greening.' Perhaps we can include a broader approach and explore sustainability (the interconnectedness of the environment, economics, and social justice) within a framework of building a culture of peace.
One amazing resource for doing so is the Earth Charter -- a powerful blueprint of principles and values for creating a more just, sustainable and peaceful world, drafted by thousands of people, young and old, in seventy-seven countries from Argentina to Zambia over a 10-year grassroots process. Ratified by UNESCO in 2000 it's been an empowering 'guide' for almost a decade now.
Take a peek and prepare for inspiration! www.earthcharterinaction.org
It is a great idea to start
It is a great idea to start teaching sustainability to our children in their grade school years. It's good to start them early on learning why living green is so important. It becomes a lifestyle early, which is beneficial. I know making changes in my adult life would have been easier had I started earlier and made it a habit.
-Sylvia
I am observing in a school
I am observing in a school that is trying to promote sustainability. I feel that becoming more green as a school/community is an extremely important attribute because as a school students look up to us in ways that we cannot imagine, and if we can model what it is like to be "green" then the students will undoubtedly take to the idea. I feel this is a great site to start being green and contributing it to the classroom. Thank you!
Going Green
I am observing in a school that is trying to promote sustainability. I feel that becoming more green as a school/community is an extremely important attribute because as a school students look up to us in ways that we cannot imagine, and if we can model what it is like to be "green" then the students will undoubtedly take to the idea. I feel this is a great site to start being green and contributing it to the classroom. Thank you!
Going Green
I am observing in a school that is trying to promote sustainability. I feel that becoming more green as a school/community is an extremely important attribute because as a school students look up to us in ways that we cannot imagine, and if we can model what it is like to be "green" then the students will undoubtedly take to the idea. I feel this is a great site to start being green and contributing it to the classroom. Thank you!