Volume 12, Issue 1

January, 2006

Executive Director's Corner: Ali Goulstone Sweeney

This Month's Topic:
IN DEPTH with the Guidelines for Environmental Educators in Colorado

These guidelines could be used for a variety of purposes, including assessing your own skills, guiding staff hiring, training, and assessment, promoting professionalism and providing professional development for yourself, your colleagues, and the field of EE. The next several columns will focus on each theme in the Guidelines and delve into the knowledge and skills associated with these themes. These articles will give you examples and references to expand, enhance, and refresh your knowledge of these areas. We have also set up a discussion board at http://www.caee.org/discussion/index.php for each theme. If you have other resources you have found particularly useful in your work, please add them to the discussion and please check the discussion board if you are looking for other resources.

Theme 4 – Planning and Implementing Environmental Education
Environmental educators combine high-quality education with the unique features of environmental education to design and implement effective instruction. Environmental educators enable learners to engage in inquiry and investigation, especially when considering environmental issues that are controversial and require learners to seriously reflect on their own and others' perspectives. Proper preparation should enable environmental educators to provide the interdisciplinary, hands-on, investigative learning opportunities that are central to environmental education. Environmental educators foster an environment such that student interactions are conducive to learning.

4.1 Knowledge about Learners & Learning
4.2 Knowledge of Various Teaching Methods
4.3 A Climate for Learning About & Exploring the Environment
4.4 An Inclusive & Collaborative Learning Environment
4.5 Settings for Instruction
4.6 Planning for Instruction
4.7 Flexible and Responsive Instruction
4.8 Knowledge of Environmental Education Materials and Resources
4.9 Technologies that Assist Learning
4.10 Curriculum Planning

RESOURCES/REFERENCES/HELP
• Hammond, W. F. "Educating for Action: A Framework for Thinking about the Place of Action in Environmental Education." Green Teacher, no. 50 (1997): 6-14.
• Jensen, E. Teaching with the Brain in Mind. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1998.
• Lieberman G. and L. Hoody. Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning. Poway, CA: Science Wizards, 1998.
• Marouli, C. “Multicultural Environmental Education: Theory and Practice.” Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, V 7 no. 1, p 26–42, Spring 2002.
• Silver, H. R. Strong, M. Perini. So Each May Learn: Integrating Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2000. Sobel, D. Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education. Orion, Autumn 1995, 11-17.

Content: Gauging Environmental Literacy http://naaee.org/pages/npeee/learner_guidelines.html Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines for Learning (Pre K-12) (revised 2004) set the standard for high-quality environmental education in schools across the country, based on what an environmentally literate person should know and be able to do. They draw on the best thinking in the field to outline the core ingredients for environmental education.
The Educator’s Reference Desk
http://www.eduref.org/ From the Information Institute of Syracuse, the Educator's Reference Desk includes 2,000+ lesson plans, 3,000+ links to online education information, and 200+ question archive responses.
Correlations/Standards Web Links:
While there are no specific standards addressing environmental education, EE fits into many content areas. EE providers will come under increasing scrutiny to make their materials and programs "fit" with curriculum standards as monies for field trips and programs become more difficult for schools to justify. Years ago CAEE developed the Correlations Project to help you demonstrate the links between your EE program or material and the Colorado Model Content Standards. See http://www.caee.org/corr.html for links to the standards and a do-it-yourself kit.
Many EE programs and materials can be found:
EE Database/Directory at http://www.caee.org
EE-Link http://eelink.net/pages/Classroom+Resources-Directories
Digital Library for Earth System Education http://www.dlese.org/dds/index.jsp
Center for EE Online http://www.ceeonline.org
Environmental Literacy Council http://www.enviroliteracy.org/teachers-index.php
Classroom Earth http://www.classroomearth.org/

Use the guidelines and be a part of the Colorado EE Master Plan!
Goal II, C.2. for Professional Development states: Commit to using Guidelines for Environmental Educators in Colorado. Check it out at http://www.caee.org/master.html.

EE Database/ Directory
In the Spotlight

Each month, EE Infolink will feature the most recently updated listing on CAEE's Online Database/Directory of EE Resources. To search this statewide directory, update your organization's entry, add a listing, or view the Calendar of Events, visit www.caee.org and click on "EE Database/Directory." You just might see your programs posted here next month!

Organization: Bluff Lake Nature Center, Denver
Programs: Healthy Habitats, Sensory Discovery, Teacher Workshops, and Wetland Wonders

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Events, Workshops, Classes, etc.

Visit www.caee.org/calendar.html for an online listing of upcoming events!

Projects Learning Tree, WILD, WET and FLP at the Butterfly Pavilion
PreK-12th grade educators: enjoy 1, 2, or 3 days of fun, focused staff development in the spring-like setting of gardens and butterflies! February 18 - Project Learning Tree or Project WILD. February 25 - Project WET or Project Food, Land & People. March 11 - spend time researching and doing activities from all 4 Project guidebooks that match Butterfly Pavilion exhibits and gardens. 8:30am to 4:30pm each day. Cost: Feb 18 & Feb 25: $30/day. March 11: $15. 1/2 credit/day: $34/day. Contact: Shawna Crocker at 303/202-4662 or scrocker@colostate.edu. Deadline: February 13.

Forensics Investigation of a Wildlife Crime, Feb. 25-26, 8:30-4:30
Denver Museum of Nature and Science. 1 credit from Colorado School of Mines. Member: $110 no credit, $150 credit. Nonmember: $120 no credit, $160 credit. Forensics procedures are essential for investigating wildlife crime. Practice labs for identifying DNA, mammal skulls, tracks, hair, fingerprints, blood, and more. Then investigate and solve a simulated US wildlife crime by analyzing evidence, interviewing suspects, reviewing officer reports, determining wildlife felonies and making an arrest. Contact DMNS Reservations, 303-322-7009 or Laura Arndt, 303-660-6925, lauraarndt@earthlink.net

2006 Eastern Colorado Community Forestry Conference
Trees: An Investment for Southeastern CO Communities. March 4 - 8:30am-4pm. Crowley Heritage Center, Crowley. For more information, please contact the Colorado State Forest Service at 719.384.9087

Bioregional Outdoor Education Conference, Blanding, Utah
Early Registration: February 24, 2006. March 3-5, 2006. The 6th Annual Colorado Plateau Bioregional Outdoor Education Conference, "The Colorado Plateau and Our Sacred Waters," will offer over 25 workshops, a slide presentation, morning & afternoon concurrent sessions, and an evening Bird Show. Teachers will get a wide variety of ideas for lessons to incorporate into their classroom. Credits available for additional charge. http://www.boep.org/index.fsp

Astronomy for Outdoor Educators, March 3-5.
UNC Campus - Gunter 1140, Fri. 7-10pm, Sat. 8am-10pm, Sun. 8am-noon. Cost: $190 for 1 gr. Credit. An experiential weekend designed to introduce the science of astronomy and the practice of skywatching, and to empower students to begin teaching astronomy basics to others. It is intended for anyone interested in learning and teaching astronomy in the outdoors with a minimum of materials [Presumes no prior knowledge]. The course includes 12-13 hours of interactive classroom presentations, discussions, and innovative activities, as well as 3-4 hours of sky watching. Contact: Mike Zawaski at mzawaski@hotmail.com. To register call the UNC Office of Extended Studies at 1-800-232-1749.

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Career

Note: these announcements are only position highlights and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

NAAEE/EE-Link offers a jobs database service for EE job seekers or employers seeking EE staff.

To view job postings, visit: eelink.net/eejobsdatabase.html

To submit a job to the database: eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/add_job.cgi

The Wildlife Experience, Parker
TWE is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit museum, which is dedicated to wildlife and habitat preservation education and entertainment. EOE.
- Membership Manager: Responsible for building, marketing and managing The Wildlife Experience Membership Program. Contact: info@twexp.org - attn: Development.
- Visitor Services Manager: The Visitor Services Manager oversees the front line operations of the museum, including admissions, group reservations; visitor services floor representatives and large format theater operations. Deadline: February 15. Contact info@twexp.org - attn: Visitor Services

Paid Summer Geoscience Positions. Deadline: February 3.
The Geological Society of America is offering 41 paid summer positions on National Parks, National Forests and BLM lands for summer 2006. Twelve week summer positions for science teachers. Opportunities of a lifetime in some of the most beautiful natural areas in the US. Apply Today at: http://www.geosociety.org/geocorps/

City of Aurora, Contract Program Assistant III- Xeriscape
Assists with water conservation and Xeriscape programs including Xeriscape garden maintenance, Youth education, instructional tours, teaching classes and meetings with the public. Contact: Abby Schreiber, Xeriscape Specialist /Volunteer Coordinator, City of Aurora Division of Water Conservation, (303)739-7356.

Butterfly Hope Positions
Butterfly Hope is an educational enrichment program that provides high quality experiences for children to explore and develop an appreciation of the natural world and express their individual creativity in a caring and supportive environment. The program targets low-income elementary school children in Denver. www.butteflyhope.org
- Executive Director: The Executive Director will manage and direct all activities concerned with the development, supervision, and administration of Butterfly Hope. Contact: Angie Heid, angieheid@yahoo.com.
- Science Teacher for Spring Break Program 2006: Instruct students in scientific method, environmental and natural science, connection to school gardens during 2 consecutive 1.5 hrs classes each day for two weeks (March 20-24, Grades 3-5, March 27-31, Grades K -2, 8:30-11:30 AM). At Cheltenham Elementary School in Denver. Contact Julie Dale Carr, 303-455-0684 or Julie.carr@butterflyhope.org or visit www.butterflyhope.org

Colorado Watershed Assembly (Ft. Collins), Executive Director
The Colorado Watershed Assembly, a statewide non-profit organization working to bring together and support the growing watershed movement in Colorado, seeks a full-time, year round executive director. Reports to a small board of directors and is the lead staff member of the organization with limited administrative support from one part time paid intern. Contact: ember@coloradowater.org. Candidate review will begin on February 6. Job is open until filled.

Keystone Science School, Discovery Camp and Keystone Mountain Adventures Instructors.
Please visit http://www.keystone.org/html/employment.html to see the job descriptions for the summer positions. A dynamic place to work!

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Awards

Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE). Deadline: January 31.
This award is designed to recognize and honor extraordinary science teachers, grades K-12 in Colorado and other communities where Amgen operates. Two teachers will be selected in Colorado. Nominees must be full-time, K-12 classroom teachers whose major responsibilities include teaching science and have at least three years of experience teaching science in grades K-12. Info: www.amgen.com/citizenship/aaste. Contact: Jessica Graziano (303)401-1287, jessg@amgen.com.

Nominate a Young Eco-Hero for the Barron Prize! Deadline: April 30.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2006 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. Half of each year's winners are chosen for their work to protect the environment. For more information and to nominate, visit http://www.barronprize.org/

Publications & Resources

Discover a Watershed: The Watershed Manager Educators Guide A 193-page Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) guide that contains 19 science-based, multidisciplinary activities that teach what a watershed is, how it works, and why we must all consider ourselves watershed managers. Although the guide targets K-12 educators and students, anyone interested in learning or teaching about watersheds will find this curriculum a useful key to watershed concepts, data, terminology, maps, photos, and illustrations. Each activity adapts to your local watershed, contains links for further Web research, and is correlated to the National Standards for Science. Info at: www.discoverawatershed.org.

The Essentials of the Environment A new book by Colorado author Joseph Kerski, written specifically for educators and students to help them understand key environmental topics, why they are important, and some "success stories" of people who have made a difference. The Essentials of the Environment presents fascinating insights and provides general information and informed discussion enhanced by international case studies. The book is illustrated throughout with photographs and figures, and comprehensive cross-references guide the reader to related issues. http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/?queryField=keyword&query=0340816325&view=usa&viewVeritySearchResults=true.

New Resources for Educators from NSTA:
- Building Successful Partnerships: Community Connections for Science Education Offers tips and strategies on selecting community resources for field trips, developing and evaluating educational materials, and even arranging transportation. Info at http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB160X1.
- History and Theory You Can Use: Community Connections for Science Education Examines education in nontraditional settings, including Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H, zoos, aquariums, and public TV. Info at http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB160X2.
- Start Young: Early Childhood Science Activities Offers a wealth of simple educational activities designed to use right away with even the littlest scientists. Info at http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB197X.

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