Environmental educationPlan of Work

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Boone County CES

Title:
Environmental education
MAP:
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Agents Involved:
County Staff
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Evaluation:

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


Learning Opportunities:

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: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Projects

Content or Curriculum: State 4-H fair exhibits

Inputs: Agents, Nature Center

Date: Summer





Success Stories

Citizens Engage in Ornithology

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

According to recent studies, in the last 50 years, bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion birds across North American.  That is about 1 out of every 4 birds.These numbers come from a series of databases including citizen science led programs such as the Christmas Bird Count and Great Backyard Bird Count.  The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an easy way for the community to engage with nature and create a real-time snapshot of bird populations in our area as well as acro

Full Story

The American Kestrel Project

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

The American Kestrel used to be a common sight perched on power lines and fence post along roads and open fields.  With each year, less and less of these small falcons are being observed across the country.  Since the 60’s their populations are declining by an average of 1% annually across the country (over a 50% population decline since 1966).  Although there is speculation among scientist and wildlife biologist as to the reason of this decline, without a more widespread da

Full Story

Virtual Field Trip

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Forestry and Natural Resource Professional Education

The importance of environmental education in our youth has been widely accepted and studied internationally.  Studies show that youth exposed to environmental education have heightened imaginations, enhanced critical and creative thinking skills, promotes tolerance and understanding of different point of views and cultures, combats "nature deficit disorder", encouraged healthy lifestyles, enables students to make connections between social, ecological, economic, cultural and polit

Full Story

Youth Bird Feeder Contest

Author: Lacey Kessell

Major Program: Youth Forestry and Natural Resource Education

Youth Bird Feeder Contest

Environmental education has been shown to improve a wide-range of learning capabilities as well as social, mental and emotional heath in youth, as well as adults.  Increased environmental education leads to a better understanding of the world around us and encourages environmental friendly behaviors that can result in a better environment for us and generations to come.  According to recent studies, in the last 50 years, bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion birds across N

Full Story
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