Environmental Education

Answers by Mary J. Leou, Ed.D.

Question 1
In today's classroom of mandated curriculums what role does environmental education (EE) play?

Question 2
What are the most pressing issues in the environmental education field today?

Question 3
Natural resources availability will be a major concern in years to come. What is the role of EE in meeting these needs?

Question 4
What does the future hold as far as alternate energy sources are concerned?

Question 5
For students interested in Environmental Studies, what are some possible career opportunities in the field?

Question 6
How effective are our nation's recycling programs at cutting down on waste and moderating the use of our natural resources?

Question 7
How can today's educators play an active role as environmental advocates?

Question 8
Where could a teacher acquire additional resources to further promote environmental education?

1. In today's classroom of mandated curriculums what role does environmental education (EE) play?

Environmental education can serve as a tool for integrating curricula across discipline areas and provide a context for learning. It complements and supports mandated curricula by providing opportunities for hands-on learning and gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems. It is one of the most effective ways to motivate students, spark their curiosity, and empower them to make a difference in the world.

2. What are the most pressing issues in the environmental education field today?

Environmental literacy is perhaps the most pressing issue in the field of environmental education. People's lifestyles and the choices they make impact the quality of life in our communities and the world. We need to educate people at all levels: teachers, parents, employers, policymakers, and youth so they can make informed decisions about issues that impact the environment.
One important way to achieve environmental literacy is to focus on teacher education by incorporating environmental education in teacher preparation programs. We need to provide prospective teachers with ample opportunities to learn about environmental issues such as air and water quality, habitat protection, energy, and human health. More and more we are confronted with environmental issues and choices we make today have long-term consequences on our quality of life, regardless of where we live or what profession we are in. Teachers must be knowledgeable about the environment in order to educate the next generation of citizens.

3. Natural resources availability will be a major concern in years to come. What is the role of EE in meeting these needs?

Preserving our natural resources will require a shift in how we think about the world and our role in it. It will require the development of an integrated curriculum-one in which students learn about the interconnectedness of all living things and our responsibility as stewards of the planet. Without clean water, air, and healthy ecosystems our future is doubtful. The curriculum must encompass a stewardship ethic toward the land and all living things as well as wise use of natural resources. This is currently lacking in our schools. An integrated curriculum would incorporate important environmental concepts and prepare students for the challenge of establishing a sustainable global community.

4. What does the future hold as far as alternate energy sources are concerned?

Alternative energy can have a profound impact on the quality of our lives and how we view the world's resources. It is definitely an area of growth that will provide opportunities to conquer new frontiers, create new technologies, and increase our potential to develop sustainable communities. Our future will only be as good as our ability to prepare a generation of critical-thinking, ecologically-minded problem solvers. These skills must be fostered in a learning environment that nurtures creativity and inquiry, rather than rote learning and standardized curricula. Alternative energy will require a new cadre of professionals and will open up a whole new area of green careers. Are we preparing our students for the environmental challenges that lie ahead? What experiences are required to develop ecologically minded citizens? What curricula will bring about universal environmental literacy? These are the questions we need to ask in thinking about schools of the future.

5. For students interested in Environmental Studies, what are some possible career opportunities in the field?

In the years ahead, environmental experts will be needed in virtually every market sector, especially sectors like energy, environmental health and safety, transportation, education, law, and urban development and renewal. There are jobs in government, business and non-profit organizations. Traditional careers in the environment include ecologists, foresters, urban planners, landscape architects, naturalists, wildlife managers, and meteorologists, just to name a few. There are also many opportunities for educators in schools and non-formal settings which include botanic gardens, aquaria, nature centers, museums and environmental organizations. Green architecture and green businesses are also a growing area in the job market. Students interested in technology also have many new career options that require specialization in GIS technology, disaster management, human health, risk management, recycling, and numerous other sectors of the economy.

6. How effective are our nation's recycling programs at cutting down on waste and moderating the use of our natural resources?

Recycling programs have provided incentives for communities to cut down on solid waste and have opened up opportunities for post-consumer products. More incentives are needed to continue the progress that recycling initiatives have made thus far. Bottles bills have proven to be an effective sustainable method of reclaiming bottles and cans resulting in a dramatic reduction of beverage container litter and the amount of solid waste going into landfills. This is one way we can conserve natural resources while creating new markets and jobs.

7. How can today's educators play an active role as environmental advocates?

It is important for educators to expose students to environmental issues. The goal of environmental education is to provide students with facts so they can move from awareness to action. Educators must expose students to both sides of an issue in order to help them make informed choices as consumers, citizens, and advocates in a sustainable world.

8. Where could a teacher acquire additional resources to further promote environmental education?

There are numerous local and national agencies and non-profit organizations that provide environmental opportunities for professional development of teachers. Project Wild (http://www.projectwild.org/) and Project Learning Tree (http://www.plt.org/) are national programs with a network of facilitators in every state. Web-based teacher education programs like Journey North and The Globe Project offer teacher training in ecology and citizen science projects. Teachers can find out more about EE by attending environmental conferences and joining professional organizations and contacting environmental groups in their community. Museums, botanic gardens, local government agencies, and environmental organizations such as Audubon and the Wildlife Conservation Society offer teachers information and opportunities for continuing professional development (http://education.nyu.edu/wallerstein/resources.html). Colleges and universities also provide opportunities for continuing professional development through courses, workshops, and summer institutes.

The North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) is a national organization for environmental educators. The NAAEE website (www.naaee.org) provides a wealth of information on programs, curricula, and research in EE.

Workshops and courses for teachers vary from composting to coastal ecology. Curriculum materials are widely available ---both online as well as through direct contact with government agencies and non-formal institutions.

There are also many funding opportunities for classroom teachers interested in developing environmental projects and curricula in their classrooms. In 2005, the federal government allocated $3 million for environmental education administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Private foundations and local business groups also provide support to local schools for environmental initiatives and community projects that engage students in civic activities such as community gardens, beach clean-ups, water quality monitoring and beautification projects.

Teachers can take an active role in bringing these wonderful resources into their classrooms and open up a world of learning to their students!

Mary J. Leou, Ed.D.

Mary J. Leou is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at NYU, and Director of New York University's Wallerstein Collaborative for Urban Environmental Education. She has developed numerous environmental initiatives for pre-service and in-service teachers, and also serves as Acting Director of the Environmental Conservation Education Program at New York University.

She has over 20 years of experience in the field of environmental education. Much of her work has focused on teacher education and environmental education in urban settings. She earned her Masters of Education and Doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University and is the recipient of numerous awards including the NYS Outdoor Conservation Award, and an “EPA Excellence in Environmental Quality Award” for her work as former Director of Education of City Parks Foundation where she developed school programs and curriculum materials in urban ecology, as well as numerous environmental teacher education initiatives. Dr. Leou is an active member of the environmental community in the metropolitan area and serves on numerous boards and advisory committees. She also works as a curriculum and professional development consultant for public and private schools in the New York area.

She is the author of numerous publications and articles including her latest work entitled “Readings in Environmental Education: Creating an Urban Model” published by Kendall Hunt.