Interdisciplinary environmental education and ecology program for Middle Schoolers Develops Awareness of and Concern About Water Resources

SUBJECTS: Acid Rain; Air Pollution; Environment; Environmental Education; Groundwater; Mathematical Applications; Outdoor Education; Outdoor Activities; Pollution; Recycling; Scientific Methodology; Social Studies; Statistics; Technology; Water; Wetlands

GRADE LEVEL: Grades 5-8

TARGET AUDIENCE: Rural Students

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Activities; Brainstorming; Cooperative Learning; Discovery Learning; Experiments; Field Trips; Hands on Learning; Independent Study; Individualized Instruction; Interdisciplinary Approach; Problem-Solving Approach; Small Groups; Visual Learning;

     The STREAMS interdisciplinary environmental education and water study program for middle grades focuses attention on the resource of water.  The program comprises curricular and instructional materials for developing students' awareness about and concern for water resources, and for taking action to protect them.  Students learn that they are able to make a difference by helping to solve community water-related problems, and that work on controversial water-related issues can achieve positive results for the community. 

     Many environmental topics are integrated into hands-on learning activities. The curricular materials can be utilized in social studies, science, mathematics, and language arts classes.  An interdisciplinary team of teachers would best be able to maximize the potential of the program, although individual teachers also will find it useful. 

     Topics of study include stormwater runoff, erosion and sedimentation, household pollutants, taking environmental action through letter writing, nutrient enrichment, water quality monitoring of local watersheds, limnological testing, studying water and waste water treatment facilities, studying a stream from its headwater to mouth, groundwater, wetlands, acidity/acid precipitation, and integrating computer technology.   Skills of inquiry (i.e., framing research problems, collecting data, analyzing data, interpreting data, formulating alternative solutions to problems) are learned in conjunction with learning to use technology to aid in the inquiry process.  Among the many kinds of activities students actively engage in are brainstorming, discovery learning, experiments, field trips, individualized instruction, and small group work.  Upon completing the program, students will understand the interacting influences of a watershed, factors that have a negative impact on a watershed, and how to devise various solutions for resolving problems.

MATERIALS: Curriculum Frameworks; Group Projects; Individual Projects; Individualized Materials; Individualized Programs; Integrated Materials; Lesson Plans; Program Descriptions; Supplementary Materials; Teacher Developed Materials; Teaching Units; Units of Study

MEDIA: Calculators; Charts; Computer Software; Databases; Slides; Videotapes

LANGUAGE: English

ASSESSMENT: Achievement Tests; Field Tests; Performance Assessment; Teacher-Made Tests; Exceptional student evaluation of program (e.g., positive attitudes towards: outdoor education, field work, hands-on activities and making decisions); Curriculum evaluations from outside sources;  Community commendations and recognition of students local environmental stewardship projects; Student presentations at civic organizations and educational conferences; Number of students participating in and completing voluntary environmental projects; Increase in overall student grade average; Newspapers and newsletters coverage of program by organizations throughout state and nation; Number of inquiries by educators; Excellent evaluations at conference presentations; Anecdotal comments and written letters from parents; Student attitude surveys; Teacher evaluations

INTENDED OUTCOMES: Analyzing; Collecting and Recording Data; Communicating; Critical Thinking; Decision Making; Environmental Awareness; Interpreting Data; Problem Solving; Reasoning; Science Process Skills

FUNDING DATE: 1991

EVALUATION: Program effectiveness is measured by degree of student involvement; student competency in performing certain tasks such as collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; success of individual projects; and student community action projects.

RECOGNITION: 1994, Selected as a Promising Practice, Mid-Atlantic Regional Consortium for Mathematics and Science Education, Research for Better Schools; 1993, Huntingdon County Environmental Achievement Award; 1992, Pennsylvania Department of Education, one of five exemplary programs for the Environmental Search for Excellence; 1996: National Middle School Association, Teaching Team Award Grand Prize winner for East Region; 1998, State Education and Environment Roundtable, national case study of schools where environment as an integrating concept is being used to improve learning; 1998 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; 1998 Citation, House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

IMPLEMENTATION: Replication of this program requires access to a local stream and outdoor environment.  In-service for teachers on conducting water monitoring tests, and workshop on environmental issues is suggested before adoption.

EQUIPMENT: Water monitoring equipment, slide projector, overhead projector, VCR, computers, spreadsheet software.

COST: $25-50 per water monitoring kit (dissolved oxygen, water hardness, alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate), electric pH meter, seine net, 50m metric meter tape, water quality water manual, collection trays; transportation to field studies sites will vary; groundwater model.

AVAILABILITY: Teacher training can be obtained at Pennsylvania Intermediate Unit summer workshops, Chesapeake Bay Teacher Training Courses (center located in Annapolis, MD), and from science teacher colleagues.

SUPPORT: Support can be obtained from an interdisciplinary team of teachers, conservation agency personnel, water and waste treatment agency personnel, high school students, Juniata College Outreach Program (Bio and Chem Vans), and Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium.

FUNDING: Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office, local business and industry, private contributions, grants.

CONTACT:

Patti L. Vathis, Director

Bureau of Curriculum & Academic Services

Office of Environment and Ecology

Pennsylvania Department of Education

333 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

Telephone: 717-783-6994

(For: Pennsylvania Teachers Only)

Mr. Frederic R. Wilson

Teacher and Project Director

Huntingdon Area Middle School

2500 Cassady Ave.

Huntingdon PA, 16652

Telephone: 814-643-2900  

Fax: 814-643-6244 

Internet Address: fwilson@dns.tiu.k12.pa.us

Helen Olena, Director

Environmental Education

Office of Policy & Communication

Pa. Department of Environmental Protection

P.O. Box 8454

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8454

Telephone: 717-772-1828