Examines the relationship between informal environmental interpretive experiences and formal environmental education. Similarities and differences are delineated and implications are drawn for the use of interpretive experiences in environmental education school curricula. The Informal Environmental Learning Checklist (IEL) is presented as a means…

Explains that European engineering students are not well prepared to integrate socio-economic and environmental issues efficiently into their future professional activities. Argues that necessary changes include a more interdisciplinary and systems-oriented approach to problems and better training in communication skills. Provides an example of an…

A number of recently released software programs seek to introduce young people to rain forests and wildlife-rich areas of Africa. Seven of these programs are reviewed for the cultural diversity they acknowledged, and their ease of use and educational value are evaluated. (SLD)

A study examined the objectives of outdoor education teachers and park staff involved in secondary school visits to Victoria (Australia) national parks. Interviews with teachers and park staff, observations, and document analysis indicate that outdoor education teachers needed training in socially critical environmental education, ecology, and…

Describes how high school biology teachers can use the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program protocols and data in their classrooms. Includes background information on plant phenology, an overview of GLOBE phenology protocols and materials, and implications for protocols with both deciduous trees and grasses…

Describes the Crime Lab Project, which takes an economical, hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to studying the career of forensics in the middle or high school classroom. Includes step-by-step student requirements for the investigative procedure, a sample evidence request form, and an assessment rubric. (KHR)

Discusses the philosophical underpinnings of Canadian adventure education and offers a description of outdoor adventure education in Canada. (Contains 20 references.) (DDR)

Addresses the issue of quality within inquiry which uses narrative forms of representing human experience. Focuses on environmental education research. (Contains 101 references.) (DDR)

Describes a professional development program, Teacher in the Woods, which is a 6-week summer research experience in the national forests of the Pacific Northwest. Uses standardized performance assessment to measure student progress and changes teachers' approach to teaching by creating greater motivation, confidence, knowledge, and skills in…

University of California Sea Grant Extension Program provides training and technical assistance to fishers, farmers, planners, and conservationists on projects such as coastal ecosystem health, marine environmental protection, fisheries management, aquaculture, salmon habitat restoration, and controlling nonpoint-source pollution; supports…

Discusses recent evidence that suggests that the use of strategies employing ideas that students recognize as real or meaningful improves student performance in mathematics. Includes ideas which may be effective in enabling teachers to adopt more practical approaches. (DDR)

Preservice teachers' (N=200) ideas about links between vehicle emissions and global environmental issues were studied using a graphic questionnaire. Results indicated that most students understood that cars contributed to global warming, though many had misconceptions about certain specifics. It is recommended that environmental education be given…

Describes the Environmental Issues project at Pennsylvania's Gannon University, designed to provide students at inner-city elementary schools with exposure to environmental issues and to foster their appreciation of nature. Indicates that students learn about local vegetation, water, and animals at a day-long mini-seminar at Camp Galindo, outside…

Describes the successes of a cross-curricular environmental education program in England. Keys to success include tapping into networks of local and national contacts, recognition for student projects and competitions which give students confidence and sometimes help fund extra projects, curriculum audits to ensure that all students receive…

Recommends using the Storypath method for introducing social studies concepts into the primary grades. Storypath introduces children to an imaginary environment (a neighborhood) and, working in teams, students provide details and people. Eventually they face a problem (litter), then bring the story and the problem to some kind of resolution. (MJP)