Positive motivation to perform work tasks has been associated with better performance and outcomes in both the organizational and informal education literature. In environmental education (EE), this means that more motivated instructors are likely to provide better programs for their participants. In this exploratory study across 15 states in the…

In 2017, 53,716 refugees entered the United States; the state of Michigan ranks sixth in refugee resettlement numbers. Each year, nearly 600 new refugees settle in Newtown, Michigan, which is now home to more than 20,000 newcomers who represent diverse language and ethnic groups. In this ethnographic case study, the authors investigated the ways…

This "Equity by Design" brief highlights equity issues that arise in the process of reopening schools during a global pandemic. The authors examine state plans and guidance for reopening schools across states in the Midwest & Plains Equity Assistance Center (MAP EAC) region which includes the 13 states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,…

Lakeview Schools and the Art Center of Battle Creek, both located in Michigan, have worked together on several beneficial projects. This partnership has resulted in the sharing of valuable material and human resources. In addition, the use of innovative technology has provided a meaningful learning experience for the entire community. As the…

In this paper we argue for the need for a thoughtful and intentional pedagogy in experiential environmental learning that educates for empathetic relationships with humans, nonhuman others, and natural systems, or field philosophy. After discussing the tensions in various ecofeminist perspectives, we highlight relevant ecofeminist ideas and thread…

A majority of secondary science teachers are found to include the topic of climate change in their courses. However, teachers informally and sporadically discuss climate change and students rarely understand the underlying scientific concepts. The project team developed an innovative pedagogical approach, in which teachers and students learn…

The HighScope Summer Camp for Teenagers founded by David P. Weikart in 1963, and operated until 2002, was an international, inclusive gifted education program that aided many young people, including those from disadvantaged social strata, in their personal development and shaped them in a special way. The six-week program stood for a high degree…

Nature education is an important part of early childhood education. As young children develop, the natural world offers concrete and authentic learning experiences. Activities focused on nature support learning in all developmental domains. Children develop physically through hiking in natural terrain, climbing hills and trees, balancing on logs,…

On a pleasant September day, 400 high school students and 40 teachers converged on the Careers in Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing Day at the IGNITE manufacturing industry trade show, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). These weren't students getting out of school for a day to go…

Field trips to the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden must provide rich science learning experiences for students and teachers. A key to this is getting students to ask questions. To facilitate student question asking we developed the Wonder Wall, a "wall" where students could write their questions. Student questions were answered as part of…

MANY LARGE CITIES ACROSS THE NATION HAVE CONCENTRATED AREAS OF FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE SEVERELY HAMPERED IN THEIR SCHOOLING BY A COMBINATION OF COMMUNITY, HOME, AND SCHOOL CONDITIONS. IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS, THE DETROIT PROJECT HAS DEVELOPED AND TESTED A FIVE-PART PROGRAM. PART ONE IS CONCERNED WITH TEACHER ORIENTATION AND…

Summer classes involving field trips to agricultural businesses for vocational agriculture students are described. (MU)

PART ONE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS A DESCRIPTION OF A PRESCHOOL CLASS FIELD TRIP TO AN APPLE ORCHARD. "VERBAL BOMBARDMENT" IS THE METHOD USED BY THE TEACHER ON THIS TRIP. THE TEACHER POSES QUESTIONS TO HER STUDENTS AND LETS THEM ANSWER. PART TWO IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF STRUCTURED GROUP TEACHING. NINE CONSECUTIVE LESSONS STATING THE PURPOSE,…

As teachers and principals prepare students to pass mandated academic tests, they should not overlook the role educational travel can play in motivating students to achieve. Travel brings curriculum to life and teaches lessons that students will remember--and need--throughout their lives. In this article, the author describes educational travel…

In its fourth year the Cooperative Project in American Indian Development focused on the completion of Obectives 1, 2, 3-A, 3-B, 4, and 8. This report restates those objectives and the criteria used for each and includes an evaluation of the results based on data submitted by the project supervisor and/or home liaison specialist and on data…