Children's visual literacy can be enhanced by focusing their attention on aspects of the natural or built environment in the local community. Two activities use photographs and field trips to provide the building blocks of visual literacy: challenging activities, inquiry and problem solving, curiosity and the unexpected, and culture-based…

Presents six case studies of EARTHWATCH expeditions which provide teachers with opportunities to work with scientists, participate in scientific discovery, and employ new technology. Educators join EARTHWATCH teams to explore tropical and dry forests, monitor ecosystems and species, unearth remains, and consequently develop innovative classroom…

Identifies 11 types of graduate student difficulties and suggests methods to help alleviate them. Difficulties include language barriers, cultural barriers, emotional barriers, lack of commitment, and lack of ability. Also describes certain personality traits that may impede achievement. (AIM)

Provides rationale for environmental education in early childhood settings. Suggests ways teachers can introduce the natural world to children. Focuses on: using children's literature to encourage close observation; examining the concept of change; using one's senses to learn about the world; and developing caring attitudes for the natural world.…

Gives a brief history of 30 years of teacher education in the field of outdoor education at various Scottish institutions of higher education. Discusses the forces of change in the field, institutional mergers and linkages, and development in outdoor courses and certification over time. Figures present outdoor education courses offered, enrollment…

The Minnesota Zoo's School of Environmental Studies is an optional, interdisciplinary program open to juniors and seniors from four comprehensive high schools. The problems posed, like those in the world, require students to think across disciplines. Students measure, analyze, map, photograph, display, and present findings to the local community…

Describes the curriculum of the Lake Washington School District Environmental and Adventure School which included outdoor education on the school grounds and field and overnight trips. The curriculum theme was interdependent relationships, people and environments. Also included study of local natural history and Native American tribes. (PVD)

The new presidential administration faces an array of urgent challenges. Complex public policy choices are necessary to address the near-term challenges of climate change and resource degradation which will help the United States deal with the chronic problems of global inequity and human deprivation. Outlines the environmental problems…

Provides an overview of the program on 'Environment and School Initiatives' (ENSI). Argues that ENSI's agenda radically differs from a school improvement agenda based on economic assumptions. Examines 'sustainable development' in the light of these two agendas. Identifies trends with different conceptions of environmental education for sustainable…

Discusses the five shortcomings of environmental education: (1) uses top-down and center-to-periphery teaching model; (2) does not lead to action competence; (3) lacks authenticity; (4) the record of success in changing children's attitudes and values is questionable; and (5) the context must facilitate participation and change. Offers four models…

As mentioned in Part I, certain classroom activities can help students learn about the ocean and empower them to make informed decisions about their impacts on the environment. One such activity focuses on harmful algal blooms (HABs). In this article, the authors include background information on HABs and then present two activities. Activity 1 is…

Today's high school students and biology teachers alike face challenges arising from constantly-changing environments. From global warming to species reduction to energy policy, the issues the students will face will have immediate and long-lasting implications. At the same time, biology teachers are charged with achieving legislated standards,…

To date, little of the ecological research on biological diversity and ecosystem functioning has been carried out in agricultural systems, despite the fact that agriculture is a major contributor to loss of native habitats and species. However, agricultural research has demonstrated that polycultures of multiple crop species can have higher total…

Little is known about environmental concerns and attitudes among people in former Soviet bloc countries in Eastern Europe despite widespread perceptions of severe environmental problems. The authors addressed this gap by examining Bulgarians' environmental concerns with a focus on whether the new environmental paradigm (NEP) scale can reliably…

The author conducted an empirical study based on structural equation modeling with a convenience sample of 246 individuals with the goal of demonstrating that recycling behavior is a routine conduct and should be addressed as such in educational materials. Although the classic hierarchy of effects dominates the interpretation of recycling behavior…