On Tuesday, April 22, we celebrate Earth Day 2014. Issues we highlight on Earth Day can actually be a part of year-round activities in teaching and learning. How Earth Day might be used in adult basic education classes:
1. By studying the history of Earth Day and learning about ways in which citizen activism can promote change? Then investigate the role of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in establishing the first Earth Day, April 22, 19701970. http://nelsonearthday.net/earth-day/index.htm
2. By learning about the political processes of the US and the creation of federal agencies? Then look at Earth Day and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/earthday/history.htm
3. By practicing skills in critical reading and writing? Then use the recently released "What We Know: The Reality, Risks, and Response to Climate Change" to practice these skills. The document may be found at http://whatweknow.aaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AAAS-What-We-Know.pdf This is a good overview and a clearly written summary published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
4. By investigating science topics, tools, and cutting edge research through the EPA website? Topics include Air, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Health, Land Waste and Cleanup, Pesticides, Substances and Toxics, Sustainable Practices, and Water. Then go to “Environmental Protection Act-Issues in Science and Technology”: http://www2.epa.gov/science-and-technology
5. By using data for analysis? Then look at the models, tools, and data sets on several research topics: http://www2.epa.gov/epa-research/methods-models-tools-and-databases
6. By investigating issues in climate change? Then look at various discussion threads on the Science CoP, as well as this website: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/ There are also many valuable resources at following website, though the photos are those of middle school students. Students’ Guide to Climate Change Science: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/resources/index.html
Lesson Plans for Educators: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/resources/index.html http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/resources/lesson-plans.html
Take a Climate Change Expedition: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/expeditions/index.html
7. By studying the accomplishments of the Clean Air Act (1970)? Then check out this website and read the 4-part chart on the decline of air pollution since enactment of the Clean Air Act: Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act: http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/
8. By learning about results of the Clean Water Act 1972, as well as current issues in watersheds, wetlands, and safe drinking water? Then look at the great water resources, divided for the groups “adult”, “elementary school”, “middle school’, “high school”, and “all ages”. http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/index.cfm
http://www2.epa.gov/science-and-technology/water-science
http://www2.epa.gov/science-and-technology/water-science
Water Science and Technology for students and educators http://water.epa.gov/learn/resources/index.cfm
Please add your comments about ways you have celebrated Earth Day in the past, or ways in which you plan to do so in 2014!
Comments
PBS Learning Media has announced a number of resources which are related to Earth Day topics. One can browse the website, by topic and grade skill level, for videos and other resources. http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/
Some of you have used PBS Learning Media, and you have recommended it to others. Does anyone have plans to use their resources for Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22nd?
Please let us know what you are doing!
Susan,
Thanks for this reminder. We did go onto the PBS site and explored the videos related to climate change, such as the one on garbage and food waste. We also looked at the one on ethanol use. Then we explored the Earth Revealed videos and we went onto the Global Footprint Network site and took the survey to see what our personal global footprints were and discussed what changes each of us could make to lower this. Then we explored different countries to see how they compared to the U.S. One student told me he did not want to start this climate change unit and did not care about the issue before. Now that we have started exploring many sites and discussing this, he has become very interested in it and wants to know what he can do to make changes. It was a very productive day and generated a lot of interest in learning more about science in general.
Hi, Deb,
Thanks for telling us about the ways in which you have used these resources. It is fascinating to hear about the attitude change on the part of one student in his willingness to investigate climate change and his wish to make changes!
I have noted that you have used videos to great advantage in your science classes. Could you tell us a little more about why you think your use of videos is so successful? Why do they appeal to learners in your programs?
Susan