Monday, August 3, 2009: 11:30 AM-1:15 PM
Apache, Albuquerque Convention Center
WK 16 - Exploring the Places We Live: Citizen Scientists
Project Learning Tree’s Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live Secondary Module integrates science, social studies, and environmental studies to investigate local community issues. This field-tested module is designed for formal and non-formal educators, as well as resource managers and others who work with community organizations and/or secondary and college students to plan and deliver creative science and environmental programs. Using this module, individuals become “citizen scientists,” applying appropriate technologies to collect, manage, analyze, and present scientific data about their community. The module provides integrated, hands-on investigations to enable individuals to both ask and answer questions about how their local community is changing and whether their community is “sustainable.” Using GIS tools, aerial photography, case studies, models, and other mapping technologies, students investigate the places in which they live, examining both the past and the present, while developing action plans for the future. These action plans demonstrate collaborative partnerships between community organizations, educational groups, local businesses, and governmental agencies. In formal education, the module activities can be used as a unit of study or as stand-alone lessons to complement a science or environmental studies curriculum. Each activity within the module has been correlated to the National Science Education Standards, National Environmental Education Guidelines, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. In the non-formal education area, the activities can be used individually or as a group with youth or community organizations to teach about how communities are changing and the ways in which citizens can influence that change. Case studies, citizen monitoring programs, and other hands-on investigations are used to immerse participants in learning about a particular community. The activities can be easily adapted with use of local resource materials. All participants will receive the Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live module.
Organizer:	Rachel Bayer, American Forest Foundation
Speaker:	Al Stenstrup, American Forest Foundation

See more of Workshop

See more of The 94th ESA Annual Meeting (August 2 -- 7, 2009)