The Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010, and the subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico created an ecological disaster of immense proportions. The estimates of the amounts of oil, whether for the amount released per day or the total amount of oil disgorged from the well, call on numbers so large they defy the capacity of most…

The Teach-in on Global Warming Solutions is part of a larger socio-environmental movement concerned with combating climate change. Highlighting the history and elements of the teach-in as a model of learning, the article examines the teach-in movement, using a local event at the University of Calgary as an illustration. Conceptual resources from…

This paper presents a collaborative educational experiment "The Death of the Dead Sea: A Problem Based Learning" that was applied in two governmental high schools in Ramallah, Palestine in the school year 2006-2007. The students' role was to raise awareness to the phenomenon of the saltiest lake that shrinks towards extinction. In spite…

Learning to question is essential for determining pathways of conservation and development in southwestern Amazonia during a time of rapid global environmental change. Teaching such an approach in graduate science programs in regional universities can be done using play-acting and simulation exercises. Multiple working hypotheses help students…

Ecological teaching models and evidence of success in public schools may be lacking. We created a constructivist ecological model using the animé Nausicaa with fourth graders in a Scottsdale, Arizona school. The animé involves the epic adventure, good and evil battle to affect the future of the human race. We documented results using…

Presents suggestions to handle children during an interpretive program and use their presence to enhance the program. Suggestions include make children feel they are part of the group, learn names, let them know who's the boss, use hands-on activities, let them help, focus their attention, include everyone, and give positive feedback. (JRH)

This address given to the Division of Interpretation, Yellowstone National Park, Interpretive Training, June 1993, examines successes and failures in interpretive programs for adults and children in light of Tilden's principles. (LZ)

This paper is based on a study of how students' read nature in different ecosystems. Its focus is on ecology and the context is outdoors. This literacy has to do with an ability to recognise organisms and relate them to material cycling and energy flow in the specific habitat that is to be read. A teaching sequence was designed in order to develop…

Reviews some differences in the educating approach of environmental education and environmental interpretation and the cognitive processes involved. Also presents an interpretive field study based on the cognitive processes reviewed. The study evaluated the ability of 150 users of forest trails to recognize interpretive messages experienced during…

Discusses, in an environmental education context, whether games and other teaching methods are close enough to real experiences to be effective educational tools. (MKR)

Learning in the affective domain is an important aspect of the interpretive experience. A heuristic model was developed for use as a conceptual framework for describing the affective process in interpretation. The model serves as a basis for making recommendations for the practice of interpretation. (LZ)

Explores how auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and symbolic/abstract learning modalities can be applied to interpretive presentations to capture an entire audience. In addition to addressing diverse learning styles, the article discusses presentation outlines, making the concept personal, combining song, music, and drama, and using action rather than…

This report provides information and conceptual tools needed to foster development of an interdisciplinary pedagogy geared to solving of environmental problems. It describes several procedures to further educational activities aimed at the solution of environmental problems. The approaches presented include the following: (1) The discussion group…

Shows how the integration of interpretive programs with school science curricula can strengthen the power and relevance of science education, while increasing the scientific depth of environmental programs. Curriculum resources, need for interpretive resources, role of interpreters, and evaluation/development strategies are addressed. (JN)