Environmental Education and the Social Studies

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What is Environmental Education?

NAAEE Definition of Environmental Education:

“A process which promotes the analysis and understanding of environmental issues as the basis for effective education, problem-solving, policy-making, and management.”

US EPA Definition of Environmental Education

Increases public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues

Provides the skills needed to make informed and responsible decisions

Teaches individuals how to weigh various sides of an environmental issue

Does not advocate a particular viewpoint or course of action

How Is Environmental Education Relevant to Social Studies? Offers opportunities for study under each of

the ten themes of social studies education identified by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

Because the environment affects everything, the study of it spans all disciplines

Environmental Education is an excellent integration tool that can help students explore historical, economic, political, geographic, and scientific aspects of environmental topics

Ten Themes of Social Studies Education (NCSS)

Culture and Cultural Diversity Time, Continuity, and Change People, Places, and Environments Individual Development and

Identity Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

The Ten Themes of Social Studies Education (cont’d) Power, Authority, and Governance Production, Distribution, and

Consumption Science, Technology, and Society Global Connections Civic Ideas and Practices

Social Studies Academic

Content Standards History People in Societies Geography Economics Government Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities Social Studies Skills and Methods

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:History

“In the Good Old Days”Project Learning Tree

How American attitudes toward the environment have changed over generations

Students study the writings of men and women who have shaped the way people think about the environment

“Wildlife in Ohio History” Timeline

1770-2000 map of Ohio changing as forest cover is removed and replanted, species extirpated or introduced

“Wildlife in Ohio History” Timeline Developed by Ohio

Division of Wildlife. See also Life History notes on various species at www.dnr.state.oh. us/wildlife

Classroom presentation available from jen.dennison@dnr. state.oh.us

“History of Wildlife Management” Project Wild

Define wildlife management

Describe major trends in wildlife management philosophies and practices

“Good Oak”Leopold Education Project

Relate a tree’s annual growth rings to environmental conditions and historical events at the time of their growth.

www.lep.org

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:

People in Societies

“The Native Way”Project Learning Tree

Traditional Native American cultures, lifestyles and their use of natural resources and the land

Compare to contemporary attitudes and lifestyles

Compare fictional and actual version of Chief Seattle’s words

“Wildlife in National Symbols”Project Wild

Identify wildlife used in national symbols

Hypothesize reasons wildlife are used in national symbols

“Prairie Memoirs” Project Wild

Interpret different cultural viewpoints

Describe how wildlife and habitat affect cultures & societies

Evaluate cultural factors leading to endangerment of species

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:

Geography

Geographyusing migratory birds and butterflies

Journey North www.learner.org/jnorth/current.html

Monarch Watch www.monarchwatch.org

“Back from the Argentine” Leopold Education Project, www.lep.org

Using Phenology to Teach Geography and Economics GLOBE program: How spring moves up

the country using temperature changes, www.globe.gov

How Ohio farmers and horticulturists track growing degree days (GDD): Link to Ohio State University-Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/stations/cohome.htm

“How Well Do You Know the Great Lakes?”

ES-EAGLS Develop a perception of

the differences between the Great Lakes in: Water volumes Length of shoreline Human population

distribution Amount of fish

harvested

“There is No Point to This Pollution”

Healthy Water, Healthy People

Students analyze data and interpret a topographic map, to solve a mystery about which possible sources might be causing the pollution of a lake.

“Life and Death Situation”Healthy Water, Healthy People

Study the diversity and global locations of waterborne diseases and the role of epidemiology in disease control

Students search for others who have been “infected” with the same waterborne illness as they have.

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:

Economics

“Cookie Mining”

Introduction to economics of mining. Students buy property, purchase mining equipment, pay for mining operations, pay for mine land reclamation, and receive money for the “ore” (chocolate chips) mined.

www.womeninmining.org/cookie1.htm

“Energy Trade-offs” University of Northern Iowa

Global Connections theme

Focus on world trade with emphasis on energy resources

“What is the Most Economical Form of Transportation?”

ES-EAGLS Production,

Distribution, and Consumption theme

Compare various forms of transportation in terms of their cost and speed

“Resource Depletion”www.womeninmining.org

Elementary students learn how some natural resources are nonrenewable, and how conservation methods can extend our nonrenewable resources.

“Weighing the Options: A Look at Tradeoffs”

Project Learning Tree

Cost-Benefit Analysis of protecting endangered species

Ethical considerations

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:

Government

“The Law: Before and After”Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Students analyze the social, political, and economic influences that led to enactment of the Endangered Species Act

“Presidential Prerogatives”Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Students explore the role of the President in creating and implementing environmental policy to protect wildlife, comparing President Theodore Roosevelt to the current administration

“Testing the Law: TVA v. Hill” Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Students analyze

the history of the Supreme Court snail darter case to explore the role of the judiciary.

“Water Court”Project WET Students participate in a

mock court to settle water quality and quantity disputes.

Demonstrates how disputes can be settled through mediation or litigation.

Evaluate arguments presented by opposing sides

(Middle and high school)

“Setting the Standards”Healthy Water, Healthy People Students simulate the process used by

the US Environmental Protection Agency to determine drinking water standards

Includes a risk assessment, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment, and risk characterization

(Middle and High School)

“Planning for People and Wildlife”

Project Wild Describe issues in

land-use planning for cities

Identify how negative effects on wildlife can be reduced

Describe actions that can be taken

Beyond Brockovich Case studies of drinking water contamination

show different standards of proof in science, criminal law, and civil law

What happens when science can’t give a definitive answer and the legal system must resolve a case about a cancer cluster

OSU Geology “Science in the Courtroom” Website on Woburn “A Civil Action” case www.geology.ohio-state.edu/courtroom

Request teaching resource list from Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education

Sea Turtles InternationalProject Wild Aquatic

Different countries’ philosphies on wildlife ownership and habitat management

International agreements and organizations that manage species that cross international borders

When a Whale Is RightProject Wild Aquatic

Status of whales International

alliances that affect wildlife

How wildlife can affect relationships between and among nations

“There Ought To Be A Law!” Ohio State Bar Association annual

essay contest for grades 7-12 Essays might cover topics such as the

need for a law to regulate the adverse impact of some technology on the environment, or the depletion of natural resources

www.ohiobar.org/pub/?articleid=112

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:

Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

“What’s Their Difference?”Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Students analyze differences in wildlife and environmental policy between and within the major political parties in the United States.

“Is There a Feather in My Cap?” Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Students investigate the origins, history, current policies, membership data, and sources of support for several environmental organizations.

“Legal Eagles”Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Students investigate local laws and zoning regulations that may apply to their service project in the community.

Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

“Environmental Heroes and Heroines” instructional unit in earth values and ethics from EE Association of Illinois

Contrasts seven different environmental ethics, including Leopold’s Land Ethic, Deep Ecology, Eco-Feminism, Animal Welfare, and Wise Use

Investigate views of people like Audubon, Thoreau, Rachel Carson, Chief Seattle, Lois Gibbs, Diane Fossey

“Water Bill of Rights”Project WET

Students create a document to guarantee the right to clean and sustainable water resources

(Middle and High School)

“Smoky Gold” Leopold Education Project

Students read about a hunting experience Leopold had with his dog, compare and contrast tamarack with coniferous and deciduous trees, and debate the issue of hunting

Compare Leopold’s Land Ethic to other environmental ethics

“Water’s Going On?”Project Wild Aquatic

Record and interpret daily water consumption

Recommend how to conserve water

“Control of Purple Loosestrife”Earth Systems Education – Ohio Sea

Grant Individuals, Groups,

and Institutions theme

Introduce students to invasive species and their impacts

Use PrOACT model of decision making to evaluate purple loosestrife control methods

Sample Lessons and Activities using the

Environment in Social Studies:

Social Studies Skills and Methods

“A Snapshot in Time”Healthy Water, Healthy People

Students use topographic maps to explore the concept of watershed

Students evaluate water quality data sets collected at one place versus a series collected over time

Students graph watershed data, and analyze trends in water quality

Watered-Down History

Project Wild Aquatic

Investigate the history of a chosen waterway through research methods, a taped personal interview, and public records

Analyze cause-and-effect relationships between events affecting the waterway

Meeting Ohio Academic Content Standards in Technology Education along with Social Studies

“A Tangled Web: Conducting Internet Research”

Healthy Water, Healthy People Students practice

using the Internet and evaluating Web sites in order to gather local information about water quality.

“Net Gain, Net Effect” Project Wild Aquatic

Students conduct a simulation to explore the evolution of fishing and the effects of changing technology on fish populations

For More Information and Ideas

www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/water/ educate/owep/wetmain.html

For More Information and Ideas Healthy Water, Healthy People

Water Quality Educators Guide www.healthywater.org

Order at a discount from Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/

For More Information and Ideas Project WILD K-12

Curriculum & Activity Guide

Aquatic Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide

www.dnr.state.oh.us/ odnr/wildlife/events/ prjwild.html

For More Information and IdeasScience and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife

Jen DennisonWildlife Education CoordinatorODNR Division of Wildlife2045 Morse Rd.Columbus, OH 43229 1-800-WILDLIFE614-265-6316jen.dennison@dnr.state.oh.us

For More Information and Ideas

www.plt.org and www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/odnr/education/infoplt.htm

For More Information and Ideas

www.lep.org

                             

               

                             

                                                                           

                                                                       

                                                

                       

                                                                           

                              

               

                             

               

 

For More Information and Ideas

Earth Systems Education Activities for Great Lakes Schools (Ohio Sea Grant)

The Ohio State University Earth Systems Education (http://earthsys.ag.ohio-state.edu/decision)

University of Northern Iowa Energy Education Curriculum Project (http://www.earth.uni.edu/EECP/)

For More Information and Ideas Environmental Education

Council of Ohio www.eeco-online.org

Office of Environmental Education www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef

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