Jon Albee, August 29, 2003
Jon Albee, Edgar, a graduate student in the Master of Science in Natural Resources Program for Teachers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has spent the last two years researching whether integrating environmental citizen action skills and community environmental projects into the fifth grade curriculum has an impact on the environmental attitudes of the students.
Assisting Jon, is his UWSP advisor, Associate Professor Dennis Yockers, in the College of Natural Resources.
Albee, worked with his fifth grade students to implement a Unit on Water.
According to Albee, “My purpose is to heighten the awareness of the students, give them information on the topic of water, and introduce them to what they could do to improve the environment.” Albee did a pre and post survey to measure student feelings toward environmental topics and their actions with respect to recycling and energy use. After the course work, the students did a community project of stenciling storm drains with no dumping signs and building wood duck boxes for the community.
The Parents and Teachers Organization of the school supported the purchase of the materials for painting the sewer drains and building duck boxes. They also provided a list of willing adult helpers to supervise the two community activities.
Principal, Bob Christianson supported Albee in his implementation of the Unit on Water and supported the community involvement. Village of Edgar Superintendent, Dennis Weix also was helpful in answering questions and letting the students paint the storm drains.
On all accounts, the post survey showed a definite shift to the positive in the amount of time the students want to spend in the out-of-doors and in their interest in studying environmental topics.
Based on the post survey results, Albee concluded that student attitudes toward environmental issues not directly addressed in their instruction showed little or no change.
Therefore, Albee knows there is still work to do, so students can apply the knowledge learned in science to all aspects of life, and life choices. He suggests the students should be continually involved in citizen action skills and participation across a variety of environmental topics. His Unit on Water will be taught each year, but the community projects will change as needed. For example, during the 2002-2003 school year, the students built bluebird boxes instead of wood duck boxes. Next year, Albee hopes to involve his students in constructing bat boxes.
Teachers interested in getting more information about the Masters degree program in environmental education at UW Stevens Point can contact Tim Byers, Program Coordinator at (715) 346-4176, tbyers@uwsp.edu
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