EDUA 5331 Nature Education/Environmental Lite
NATURE EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY
21st century children are increasingly indoors, over-scheduled, and tied to technology, and many schools have had to cut back on nature education programs in favor of instruction tied to standardized tests. Fewer students are pursuing careers in environmental science and conservation – needed now more than ever as our environment is increasingly at risk from climate change, pollution, deforestation, etc. The good news is, research has found that when nature education is supported by well-informed, engaged teachers, children develop an "environmental literacy" that greatly benefits them emotionally, creatively, cognitively, and academically.
This course is designed to provide the teacher with strategies to connect students with the natural world. Beyond science, this course offers ties to English Language Arts, creative arts, and social studies. After finishing the course, the teacher will understand the importance and benefits of nature education and know how to teach environmental literacy to enhance student engagement and performance across disciplines. The teacher will also learn how to instill an appreciation and love of nature that will have a lasting positive impact on his or her students.