Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental education
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Rex McBride
Woodland Education
Environmental Sustainability & Responsibility
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
As the population in Boone County continues to grow, and urban areas become more prominent our youth have fewer opportunities to explore our natural environment. Boone County School systems have identified a need for hands on experiences that make connections to our natural resources and the State Education Core Standards. Teachers can also benefit in the classroom from environmental focused curriculum guides such as Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, and Project WET.
Environmental Sciences scores will increase in Boone County Schools during State Core Standard Testing.
Environmentally friendly practices will be adopted within schools and our communities, preserving our natural resources.
Schools utilize local natural spaces to promote learning.
Youth will choose to become more environmentally friendly by recycling more, polluting less, and decreasing negative impact on our environment.
More teachers are utilizing the environment and environmentally focused curricula in their classrooms.
Youth will understand ecosystems and our relationship and impact on natural systems.
Youth will appreciate the environment and strive to decrease negative impacts.
Increased participation in curricula trainings.
Initial Outcome: Youth will understand ecosystems and our relationship and impact on natural systems.
Indicator: Participants can correctly answer assessment questions after programming
Method: pre/post assessment
Timeline: as programming occurs
Initial outcome:Increased participation in curricula training.
Indicator: More trained teachers
Method: attendance records
Timeline: yearly
Intermediate Outcome:
More teachers are utilizing the environment and environmentally focused curricula in their classrooms.
Indicator: More curricula being used in the classrooms
Method: survey of training participants
Timeline: end of school year
Long-term Outcome: Schools utilize local natural spaces to promote learning.
Indicator: More schools will have/utilize outdoor classrooms and other outdoors areas utilized for learning
Method: Verbal survey of teachers
Timeline: As areas are identified and managed for use
Audience: 4thGrade students
Project or Activity: Spring Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: state supported
Inputs: staff, curriculum, volunteers, etc.
Date: March-May
Audience: 4th-5th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Overnight Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: state supported
Inputs: staff, curriculum, volunteers, outside resources, etc.
Date: September-October
Audience: 4th-12 Grade Students
Project or Activity: Natural Resource programming within schools
Content or Curriculum: state supported
Inputs: volunteers, staff, curriculum
Date: throughout the school year
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Projects
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H fair exhibits
Inputs: Agents, Nature Center
Date: Summer
Audience: Local educators
Project or Activity: curricula training
Content or Curriculum: state and nationally recognized EE curricula
Inputs: Agents, KAEE facilitators
Date: June
Audience: 4-H summer staff and environmental camp interns
Project or Activity: Nature/environmental training
Content or Curriculum: State supported
Inputs: Agents, Camp Directors, UK Specialists
Date: August & March
Audience: County Residents
Project or Activity: Water Awareness month programming
Inputs: County Agents, local Natural Resources partners
Date: May
Author: Rex McBride
Major Program: Youth Forestry and Natural Resource Education
Boone County has a large population of home schooled youth, with estimates of 300 plus in five main campuses. These groups have in the past had fairly little interaction with the Extension service due to our focus on school programming and their organizational structure. The Boone County Extension Service natural resources programs have been working over the last 6 months to make a lasting relationship with these groups to great success. We have provided educational support for 4 of the 5 campus
