What does it mean to you to be environmentally literate?
To become environmentally literate a person must “Climb the Environmental Literacy Ladder” (What is Environmental Literacy, 2007). First s/he must be connected to nature; not just knowing about it, but also putting themselves in nature and being aware that they are a part of it. Once that connection is made one becomes more aware of all the aspects that are interconnected throughout the environment locally and globally. The more time someone spends outside s/he starts to make more thorough observations, and begin to understand how biotic and abiotic factors interact. However at the same time, one may see themselves as not really being a big part of the ecosystem until s/he begins to …show more content…
In turn, this becomes the basis for scientific inquiry which develops the students’ knowledge and understanding of the environment and how everything is connected. Not only scientifically, but it is important to understand world geography and the politics and laws associated with each country, state, and county. Choosing leaders, voting on bills, and changing laws can decide the fate of our environment. For example, Governor Dayton pushed for the buffer law that enforces a 50ft. buffer for every waterway, including, ditches by November of 2017 (Buffer Mapping Project: Minnesota DNR, 2016). This is a very good law, considering the majority of contaminants in the Mississippi River that make it to the Gulf of Mexico originate from Minnesota and …show more content…
Is it informed by research, rules/policies associated with your place of employment, and/or something else?
Currently, I work at an alternative high school and teach physical science and biology. Many of the students have little experience being in nature. They do spend time outside, but they do not always spend it in the areas considered “places in the middle of nowhere”. These are places where we become most connected with nature, in total isolation away from all the distractions of our busy world. As a teacher, I want to get my students out of the classroom and teach them about the life and elements just outside the door of their school. It is my duty to prepare students to be engaged and thoughtful about the environment within their communities as active citizens. Originally, I set my focus on teaching life science, and Earth and space science. I believe these two fields in the sciences are very important for future students. Geologically and astronomically, the Earth and its processes will affect how we live and decide where we live. Further understanding of the biological processes can help us make decisions in regards to life
To become environmentally literate a person must “Climb the Environmental Literacy Ladder” (What is Environmental Literacy, 2007). First s/he must be connected to nature; not just knowing about it, but also putting themselves in nature and being aware that they are a part of it. Once that connection is made one becomes more aware of all the aspects that are interconnected throughout the environment locally and globally. The more time someone spends outside s/he starts to make more thorough observations, and begin to understand how biotic and abiotic factors interact. However at the same time, one may see themselves as not really being a big part of the ecosystem until s/he begins to …show more content…
In turn, this becomes the basis for scientific inquiry which develops the students’ knowledge and understanding of the environment and how everything is connected. Not only scientifically, but it is important to understand world geography and the politics and laws associated with each country, state, and county. Choosing leaders, voting on bills, and changing laws can decide the fate of our environment. For example, Governor Dayton pushed for the buffer law that enforces a 50ft. buffer for every waterway, including, ditches by November of 2017 (Buffer Mapping Project: Minnesota DNR, 2016). This is a very good law, considering the majority of contaminants in the Mississippi River that make it to the Gulf of Mexico originate from Minnesota and …show more content…
Is it informed by research, rules/policies associated with your place of employment, and/or something else?
Currently, I work at an alternative high school and teach physical science and biology. Many of the students have little experience being in nature. They do spend time outside, but they do not always spend it in the areas considered “places in the middle of nowhere”. These are places where we become most connected with nature, in total isolation away from all the distractions of our busy world. As a teacher, I want to get my students out of the classroom and teach them about the life and elements just outside the door of their school. It is my duty to prepare students to be engaged and thoughtful about the environment within their communities as active citizens. Originally, I set my focus on teaching life science, and Earth and space science. I believe these two fields in the sciences are very important for future students. Geologically and astronomically, the Earth and its processes will affect how we live and decide where we live. Further understanding of the biological processes can help us make decisions in regards to life