Environmental Education

in Charles County Public Schools

April 19, 2016

Environmental Literacy

• Chesapeake Bay Agreement– On June 16, 2014, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement was signed

by representatives from the entire watershed. This plan for collaboration across the Bay’s political boundaries establishes goals and outcomes for the restoration of the Bay and the watershed.

– Environmental Literacy is one of the ten goals spelled out in the agreement. The goal contains the following outcomes:

• Student Outcome

– Participation in teacher-supported, meaningful watershed educational experiences and rigorous, inquiry-based instruction, with a target of at least one meaningful watershed educational experience in elementary, middle and high school depending on available resources.

• Sustainable School Outcome

– Continually increase the number of schools in the region that reduce the impact of their buildings and grounds on their local watershed, environment and human health through best practices, including student-led protection and restoration projects.

• Environmental Literacy Planning Outcome

– Each participating Bay jurisdiction should develop a comprehensive and systemic approach to environmental literacy for all students in the region that includes policies, practices and voluntary metrics that support the environmental literacy Goals and Outcomes of this Agreement.

5th grade Extended Day Program (MWEE) at NCEEC

• Students arrive at NCEEC at 8:00 a.m.

• After a morning snack there is a brief orientation

• Two 90 minute activities followed by a “Trash Free” lunch and clean up

• Exploration: “Recycle Relay”, watershed model, scavenger hunt hike, and habitat exploration

• Raptor conservation

• Recreation time, dinner, campfire program

• Students leave NCEEC at 6:00 p.m.

Green School Support

• As a MAEOE (Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education) Green Center, NCEEC supports schools in the MAEOE Green School application process. The goal is to have every school become a Green School.

• This is a two year process; very involved and requires a huge commitment from the entire school community.

• To date Dr. Craik, Gale Bailey J.C. Parks, Middleton, Piccowaxen, Milton Somers, Smallwood, Thomas Stone and Westlake have been awarded Green School Status• Dr. Mudd and North Point have recently submitted applications

• JC Parks has also received the Green Ribbon Schools and Eco-Schools designation.

Additional support provided by NCEEC staff

• Outreach• Programs: Bird Clues, Enviroscape, Carbon and

Climate, Raptor Ecology• Custom: Field Studies (Schoolyard and Site

based), Events, SSL

• Professional Development• Project Wet, Project Wild• System Designed

29 years of supporting Environmental Education in Charles County