Recent educational studies have shown increasing lack of interest and participation of youth (ages 10-14 years old) in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields in the U.S. The decline in the number of youth choosing to study STEM fields in higher education and the resulting lack of STEM professionals in the society…

In order to educate science teachers for a sustainable future, recent discussions are going on related to collaboration between science education and education for sustainable development (ESD). Still, ESD has been in a development stage and needs to be improved in terms of developing teacher competencies. Therefore, in this study we focused on…

Describes Waunakee Community School's six-week Summer Science Program for students entering the seventh grade. Students are selected for this science enrichment program on the basis of interest, ability, and maturity. Program content includes wetlands, forests, prairies, and animals, concluding with a camping trip. (DS)

Without adequate reading comprehension, writing proficiency, math competency, and critical thinking skills, students pursuing higher education are vulnerable to failure. An environmental Science course built around academic wholism is the focus of a summer program designed to bridge the gap between high school and college. Students self-reflect…

Provides an introduction to Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). Examines approaches to water education, how the Project WET program is different from other water education projects, how the program is implemented in the classroom, what kinds of materials are available, and how to obtain Project WET. (LZ)

National concerns about the quality and effectiveness of science teaching have resulted in several efforts directed at restructuring the United States' science curriculum. This digest discusses recent initiatives of the Earth Systems Education. Topics discussed include: (1) efforts to understand the planet Earth; (2) the Program for Leadership in…

For 37 states in the United States, Project Wild has become an officially sanctioned, distributed and funded "environemtnal and conservation education program." For those who are striving to implement focused, sequential, learning programs, as well as those who wish to promote harmony through a non-anthropocentric world view, Project…

A five week outdoor summer science class emphasizing student involvement is described. (DE)

This collection of materials supports the teaching of solar energy concepts in the context of secondary school science. Included in this collection are a basic teacher's guide to activities involved in the curriculum; a discussion of multi-disciplinary extensions of solar energy education by subject area; a section on hardware needed for the…

Describes a high school summer program in field ecology designed to give students a first-hand understanding of their own biotic environment, to acquaint them with the organisms, relationships, and complexities of local habitats, and to introduce them to the methods and techniques of discovering and gathering information about nature. (JR)

Provides a description of a program in Maine that emphasizes the relevance of earth science to students' everyday lives with classroom activities that address real societal issues such as wise management of habitats. Includes two of the activities from the curriculum materials. (DDR)

Reports the results of a survey that assesses the breadth of implementation of environmental education in local public schools, the integration of environmental education within the existing school curriculum, and the impact environmental education has had on the school. (DDR)

Evaluates the ultimate goals of environmental and ecological education. Examines two versions of an established outdoor ecology program in a national park. Surveys students (N=700) using knowledge statements. Contains 64 references. (DDR)

During the month of February, eighth and ninth graders at a university school in Wyoming participate in a winter lake study. Descriptions are given of various measurement techniques related to water quality studies. (SA)

Water pollution curriculum units of four environmental secondary science programs in Britain, Germany, Israel, and the United States are examined. Comparisons reveal the use of quite different approaches in central topic selection, use of the laboratory and other media, controversial issues, and teacher-student roles. (CS)