Introduction to Environmental Education and KACEE

Section 1: Introduction to KACEE

Watch the welcome video from KACEE’s Executive Director and explore the website to learn how KACEE is striving to grow a healthy, vibrant, equitable, and resilient Kansas through the power of environmental education.

TASK:  Watch a KACEE Welcome Video from KACEE’s Executive Director, Laura Downey   

TASK:  Explore KACEE's website to learn about environmental education in Kansas. Listed below are a few optional pages to explore.

• Learn about KACEE 
• Learn about Environmental Education 
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)

*Please note JEDI work is ongoing and we will have more information coming soon!

TASK:  Read the Kansas Green Schools and Kansas School Gardens overviews below:

Kansas Green Schools Overview

• What is a Kansas Green School? - A green school engages students, teachers, administration, staff, and community in investigating the environmental footprint of the school in five areas:  Waste and Recycling, Water, Energy, Healthy School Environment, and the Learning Community.
• Joining the Kansas Green Schools Network is free and helps you connect to other green schools and partners across the state of Kansas.
• Kansas Green Schools are eligible for state and nationwide recognition for completing different levels of certification.
• Check out the Kansas Green Schools website to learn more.

Kansas School Gardens Overview

• The Kansas School Gardens program was developed by Kansas teachers and gardeners. 
• The Kansas School Gardens resources are free and provide "How-To" guides for starting and sustaining school gardens.
• Throughout the "How-To" guide are curriculum connections to help tie the learning in the garden to existing classroom learning objectives.
• Check out the Kansas School Gardens website to learn more.

TASK:  Check out the numerous ways that you can engage with and connect to KACEE and find the connections that are best for you:

YouTube:  youtube.com/user/KACEEORG/  ~  Twitter:   twitter.com/kaceeandkgs  ~  Instagram:  instagram.com/kacee_1969  ~  Linkedin:  linkedin.com/company/55042923/

Facebook:  ~  facebook.com/KACEE1969/  ~  facebook.com/groups/kansasgreenschools  ~  facebook.com/groups/KACEEGroupPage  ~  facebook.com/wildkansasstudents

SECTION 1, ASSIGNMENT:  In your course journal, write a short reflection about the pieces from the video, the sections of the website, or the Kansas Green Schools or Kansas School Gardens programs that you found interesting or that resonate with you/your work.  

Section 2:  Environmental Education Overview

Learn about the importance of environmental education and the benefits to children/student health and development.

TASK:  Watch the following video on the importance of environmental education.

TASK:  Nature Focus:

Before you begin the next steps of the course take a moment to go outside if possible and observe your surroundings trying to use as many of your senses as possible for 5 minutes.  If you're not able to go outside you can also observe the outdoors by looking through a window.

While you are making your observations consider the following questions:

How does being outside make you feel?  

In what ways do you think that time spent outdoors can benefit adults and children? 

What was your favorite way to spend time outdoors when you were a child?  What is your favorite way to spend time outdoors as an adult? 

*You do NOT need to record your answers to these questions, just consider them while you're making your observations.

TASK:  Review Environmental Education And Why It Matters. 

SECTION 2, ASSIGNMENT:  In your course journal, record your answer to the following question:  How do you think incorporating environmental education into your initiatives might have a positive impact on the work that you do? 

Section 3:  EE Professional Development Learning Objectives

Learn how environmental education can be utilized within the work that you do and the benefits it can have for student engagement and learning.

TASK:  Watch the following video about what environmental education is and how that relates to our professional development learning objectives.

SECTION 3, ASSIGNMENT:  In your course journal, write a few sentences about what you are hoping to get out of your professional development experience and how you envision yourself using environmental education in your classroom or program.