An English teacher's impromptu unit on social problems gave students opportunity to develop writing skills while expanding concept of community. While gathering data on diminishing rain forests (chosen topic), discussing research in small groups or workshops, interviewing community members, sending letters to political representatives, plugging…

Reports survey results of a random sample of Brisbane North Region, Australia, elementary school teachers (n=300) concerning teacher practices, attitudes, professional preparation, and concerns regarding environmental education. Concludes that environmental education is implemented in classroom programs but that values, ethics, problem solving and…

Outlines 11 rules of critical thinking and offers suggestions of teaching them in biology and environmental science classrooms. (MDH)

The books listed in this annotated bibliography were selected as outstanding children's trade books published in 1997. Titles are categorized as biography, environment and ecology, integrated science, life science, paleontology, physical science, and science-related careers. Each entry includes a descriptive annotation along with a code indicating…

Presents research on the scientific question-posing capabilities of 10th-grade students (n=127) who were studying air quality in a cooperative way using the jigsaw method. Finds that the difference between students at high and low academic levels to the extent of increase in both number and complexity of posed questions was significant. Contains…

Examines Polish students' (n=101) attitudes toward environmental threats. Finds that males and females, treatment and control groups, and students from different high schools ranked the top three threats based more on personal experience than on whether they had taken environmental-protection classes in school. Contains 26 references. (Author/WRM)

In a national assessment program, 57% of Dutch ninth-grade students had a positive attitude towards the environment and 35% were prepared to make sacrifices for the environment. Student knowledge about environmental problems, however, was fragmentary and often incorrect. Environmentally responsible behavior was more strongly connected with the…

A study of 40 schools in 12 states indicates that student achievement, behavior, and engagement improved when the local environment, including both natural and community sociocultural environments, was used as an integrating context for the curriculum. Ten steps toward planning and implementing such an approach are listed. (SV)

Funded by Lockheed Martin, the University of New Mexico College of Education conducts three-week summer science academies for elementary school teachers of populations underrepresented in science and math. Native American teachers and Hispanic teachers whose families have lived in New Mexico for generations learn to use their own local knowledge…

A lead shot environmental education program using hands-on activities and public information displays was directed toward adult Cree of Mushkegowuk Territory, Ontario (Canada). Of 47 participants at the beginning of the study, 7 thought lead shot was detrimental to animals, the environment, and people. After program implementation, all…

Describes a four-week laboratory module for an introductory chemistry course that focuses on the analysis of trace levels of xenoestrogenic pesticides in local drinking water and a comparison of the molecular shapes of these pesticides to the hormone estrogen. (WRM)

Discusses the philosophical underpinnings and inherent values, actions, and outcomes of accepting and implementing stewardship as a focus for education in art and ecology. Defines three elements of ecological stewardship: moral commitment, understanding the effect of actions, and demonstrating respect. Describes a series of interdisciplinary…

Considers a new aspect to today's environmental education in which students are challenging campus administrators to make the setting of their education more environmentally sustainable. This movement is tearing down walls between academia and campus operations. Students are gaining practical experiences that buttress their academic studies.…

Explores different approaches to teaching global education, most notably the compartmentalist and holistic paradigms. The compartmentalist approach, which revolves around the study of specific cultures or countries, retains a view of the world as divided and emphasizes similarities. The holistic approach represents the philosophy that the planet…

Discusses multicultural education and some of the confusion surrounding the philosophy, and explains how multicultural education fits into environmental education. Multicultural education respects diversity of ideas and experiences. The broadness of culture as a concept makes cultural factors key components in environmental issues. Includes…