The "EE Works for
Wisconsin" campaign is a statewide effort to promote and
support EE in Wisconsin sponsored by five organizations in
Wisconsin: the Wisconsin EE Board, the Wisconsin Association for EE,
the Wisconsin Center for EE, the University of Wisconsin- Extension,
and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Key to the
campaign are the "EE Works for Wisconsin" promotional
materials and the leadership and support of environmental
educators and EE supporters who have joined the campaign.
The
questions are part of the "EE Works for Wisconsin"
brochure.
| Why
do we need EE? |
Turn on the TV. Pick up the newspaper. Environmental
issues are everywhere. How are Wisconsin's students
and citizens going to make informed choices? Wisconsin
citizens, like people everywhere, need to better understand the
concepts and principles that govern nature. They need to
investigate how their personal decisions- now and in the future-
impact the environment.
|
| What
is EE? |
EE programs teach in
and about the natural and built environment. As
environmental educators, one of our goals is to help students
of all ages become environmentally aware. People also
need knowledge and skills to work with others toward solving
environmental issue.
EE works towards that goal, helping
students learn how to think and process difficult
concepts and ideas. EE teaches people of all ages
throughout life. It helps develop citizens who are
committed and able to work for an environment capable of
supporting different needs.
Many people think EE is limited to
science classes. In fact, EE does take place in science
classes, but it is also taught in other subject areas and in a
variety of settings outside of schools.
Educators get excited about EE because it challenges teachers
and students alike to study in and out of the classroom and to
discover solutions to real-world problems. EE is an avenue
for making positive changes in our educational system and helps
to bridge schools and communities.
|
| Who
is providing EE? |
Environmental educators are teachers and
administrators in grades K-12 and post secondary institutions.
We are also naturalists and education specialists in
nature/outdoor skill centers and environmental groups, and in
federal, state and local agencies and park systems. We
also serve scouting, 4-H and other youth groups. To reach
people of all ages, environmental educators work in many
different settings and institutions including business and
industry.
|
| How
is EE part of Wisconsin's heritage? |
Environmental educators are teachers and
administrators in grades K-12 and post secondary institutions.
We are also naturalists and education specialists in
nature/outdoor skill centers and environmental groups, and in
federal, state and local agencies and park systems. We
also serve scouting, 4-H and other youth groups. To reach
people of all ages, environmental educators work in many
different settings and institutions including business and
industry.
State
leaders established academic standards for EE teaching in grades
K-12 in in 1998. We need to build on this heritage to
ensure quality environmental education in the future.
|
| What
can we do? |
We can continue to support Wisconsin's track
record of quality EE. More environmental education is
needed to improve education and ensure a
sustainable future for our state. Wisconsin's
statewide EE organizations invite your involvement in supporting
and strengthening our state's EE program.
Wisconsin's statewide EE organizations invite your
involvement in supporting and strengthening our state's EE
program. You can get involved too!
Suggestions from the "EE
Works for Wisconsin" statewide EE organizations supporters-
- Get involved with your
school and community EE programs. Your school programs
can be guided by the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction's Guide to Curriculum Planning in
Environmental Education and the Model Academic
Standards for Environmental Education.
- Join a school parents'
organization and mobilize support for EE.
- Contact your local and
state leaders to inform them about EE.
- Join the boards or
memberships of nature and outdoor education centers.
- Contact state EE
organizations and find out how you can get informed and
involved.
- Join your state EE
association, the Wisconsin
Association for EE.
- Contribute to the Wisconsin
EE Trust Fund by contacting the Wisconsin
EE Board.
- Find out about the North
American Association for EE.
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