We learn from others who are pioneering environmental education in the region.
Although environmental education is relatively new, we need not "reinvent the wheel' when setting up environmental education studies and amenities. We take advantage of what these other organizations provide in the way of guidelines, standards, and examples.
Environmental Education Association of Indiana
Promotes opportunities that will educate, motivate, and inspire the citizens of Indiana to conserve natural resources and meet the needs of our society while maintaining a healthy environment now and in the future. http://www.eeai.org/
Indiana Children & Nature Network
"Happier. Healthier. Smarter." is the motto of ICAN, a network of Indiana organizations, businesses and individuals encouraging children to spend time in nature for their for their physical, mental and emotional well-being. It's a project of the EEAI. http://www.indianachildrenandnature.org/
Project Learning Tree
Award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12. Join their online community to share lesson plans and ideas. PLT activities correlated to Indiana standards for Math, Language Arts, Social Studies. https://www.plt.org/
Indiana Academic Standards and Resources
Describes the standards in each subject area for K-8 and high school. Organized by content area and grade level, this Web site allows Indiana's Academic Standards, and their accompanying resources, to be viewed, printed, or downloaded. These resources are the online tools for teachers to use in aligning classroom instruction and assessment to Indiana's Academic Standards. www.doe.in.gov/standards
Marian University Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab
Cold Spring School's next-door neighbor, the EcoLab comprises 55 acres of wetland and forest, plus the historic Allison family mansion. The EcoLab is used for many college courses and offers a program of K-12 science activities and resources. http://www.marian.edu/about-marian/Nina-Mason-Pulliam-Ecolab
Avon Outdoor Learning Center
Started in the 1980s, the Avon, Indiana school district's OLC is a 7-acre natural area where students can put classroom information into real world practice. History, Science, Math, Social Studies and Language Arts all come to life, engaging all the senses. http://www.avon-schools.org/page/262
Children & Nature Network
Founded by Richard Louv, this network is leading the movement to connect all children, their families and communities to nature through innovative ideas, evidence-based resources and tools, broad-based collaboration and support of grassroots leadership. Envisions a world in which all children play, learn and grow with nature in their everyday lives. www.childrenandnature.org
Green Schools Alliance
GSA connects and empowers schools worldwide to lead the transformation to global sustainability. Uniquely created by schools for schools, it is a global Peer-to-Peer Network of pre-K to grade 13 schools represented by sustainability coordinators, faculty, staff and students working together to solve climate and conservation challenges. Since 2007, the Alliance has grown to include 5,000 schools in 43+ U.S. states and 44+ countries. www.greenschoolsalliance.org
Green Schoolyard Network
Schoolyard activists from Boston, San Francisco, New York, Houston, Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Washington DC share best practices, foster collaborative projects, and provide technical assistance to start-up programs. Article by Kirk Meyer, Executive Director includes video of Boston outdoor classroom. greenschoolyardnetwork.org
No Child Left Inside® Coalition
National coalition of business, health, youth, faith, recreational, environmental, and educational groups representing over 50 million Americans. Formed in 2007 to alert Congress and the public to the need for our schools to devote more resources and attention to environmental education. Many resources and news bulletins. http://www.cbf.org/ncli/action/about
Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College
Natural sanctuary near Wolf Lake, Indiana, containing most of the habitats found in northeastern Indiana, including peat bogs, a marl pit, and glacial gravel formations. Observable management practices include, wetland, prairie, and savanna restorations, and sustainable agriculture. A vigorous educational program interprets the significant biological and geological features. http://merrylea.goshen.edu/
Goodwillie Environmental School, Michigan
A unique educational facility of Forest Hills School District where 90+ children of fifth and sixth grades spend the school year studying environmental issues in coordination with their core studies (math, social studies, language arts, etc.) http://www.fhps.net/goodwillie/
