WCEE Frameworks and Publications

Conceptual Frameworks

Conceptual frameworks are not a curriculum. They are a skeleton that provides the foundation for a curriculum. Just as the bones of a skeleton provide strength and structure to a body, the concepts that make up the framework provide the basis for a strong, organized, and comprehensive curriculum.

KEEP Enrichment Pilot: Activity summary and results

Performed by the Energy Center of Wisconsin in 2014, this report describes pilot efforts to test the infusion of more near-term energy savings efforts alongside KEEP’s energy education mission; presents the results of those efforts and makes suggestions for future activities. In order to acknowledge KEEP’s long-term energy education effects, the report also contains a brief discussion of KEEP’s role in enhancing Wisconsin students’ energy literacy.

Click here to download this report.

Findings: Small Programs Analysis – School to Home program

KEEP partnered with Wisconsin Public Service, Focus on Energy, and the Citizens Utility Board to offer the iCanConserve School to Home program for three communities in the Wisconsin Public Service territory from 2010-2013. Energy literacy is crucial to Wisconsin’s economic and environmental future. The School to Home program offered teachers in Allouez, Brillion, and Plover a fun, hands-on way to educate their students about energy production, use and conservation. This memo documents successes and provides a summary of recommendations for improvements. Overall, teachers highly valued the School to Home program, which led to increased participation in other iCC offers, and KEEP’s relationship building with schools overall was crucial to program adoption and success.

Download the full memo.

K-12 Energy Education Program Baseline Study

Performed by the Energy Center of Wisconsin in 1999, this report summarizes the results of the first phase of a KEEP evaluation: the collection of baseline data on the status of energy education in Wisconsin’s public schools before the KEEP program was implemented. The findings of the baseline study measure (1) how teachers are currently teaching energy in Wisconsin schools, and (2) students’ and parents’ knowledge of the four KEEP energy themes and their attitudes/practices regarding energy usage.

Scheduled for the 2001-2002 fiscal year was the second phase of the evaluation: the collection of baseline data on the current status of energy education in Wisconsin’s public schools as a result of the KEEP program implementation.

Click here for the PDF of the Baseline Study.

Publications

Staff and Graduate Student Research & Publications

2020 –

Phelps, H. (May 2026). Hands-on Learning for the Planet. Wisconsin School News
Smith, G. (Fall 2024). Forest History Did Not Start in 1850. Great Lakes Social Studies Journal – Volume 4 – Issue 2
Phelps, H. (October 2023). Mini Grants. Big Impact: KEEP spotlights students stepping up. Wisconsin School News
Hamzé, S. (October 2022). Student Science Takes Flight. Wisconsin School News
Hamzé, S. and Nadeau, E.G. (September 2022). Coming Clean: Six steps to your district’s clean energy transition. Wisconsin School News

2010 – 2019

Gharis, L, Franzen R.L., Liddicoat, K., and Remington, TL. How do Wisconsin environmental educators perceive a potential, professional certification for individual environmental educators?, Applied Environmental Education & Communication, Sept. 2018, pp. 1–18., doi:10.1080/1533015x.2018.1491811.
King, J.A. and Franzen, R.L. (2017) Environmental Literacy in Environmentally Themed Higher Education Courses, Journal of Sustainability Education, Vol. 13, ISSN: 2151-7452
Kacoroski, J., Kendra R. Liddicoat & Steve Kerlin (2016) Children’s use of iPads in outdoor environmental education programs, Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 15:4, 301-311, DOI: 10.1080/1533015X.2016.1237903
Christopher, J.L. (2016). Group Feedback in the Classroom Promotes Home Energy Conservation. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Hougham, J., Kerlin, S., Liddicoat, K., Ellis, K., & Crampe, E. (2017). Status and Needs of Environmental Education Related Organizations in Wisconsin: Results from the 2015 state-wide survey. Madison, Wisconsin.
Kerlin, S., Kacoroski, J., Liddicoat, K. (2015). Status and Needs of Environmental Education Related Organizations in Wisconsin: Results from the 2014 state-wide survey. Madison, Wisconsin.
Kacoroski, J. (2015) Children’s Attitudes, Behaviors, and Comprehension While Using iPads in Outdoor Environmental Education Programs. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Moore, J.C. (2015) A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Assessing Drawing as a Learning Tool in Science. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Lane, J.F., Baker, A., Franzen, B., Kerlin, S., & Schuller, S. (2015) “Designing Resilient Energy Education Programs for a Sustainable Future”. The Journal of Sustainability Education. Vol. 8.
Tomaszewski, J. (2013). Examining Environmental Education Knowledge and Skills gained in the Master’s for K-12 Teachers Program. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Haney, J. (2011). Development of a Statewide Strategic Plan for Advancing Student Environmental Literacy in Wisconsin’s Prekindergarten through Twelfth Grade Schools. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Leatherbury, M. (2011). Connecting Field Trip and Classroom Learning: Evaluating the Utility of a Museum-Based Framework in and Environmental Education Context. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point.
Rickert, M. L. (2011). School Energy Policy and Education Plans: A Case Study of Plan Development in Three Wisconsin School Communities. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

2000 – 2009

Miller, S. (2009). Creation and Evaluation of Supplementary DVD Teaching Tools for the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point.
Ford, T. (2009). Energy Education Professional Development: Assessment of Teacher Satisfaction. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Wang, X. (2008).A Plan for Creating a National Bird Watching Society in Mainland China for Bird Conservation and Education. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Webster, J. (2008). The Creation and Evaluation of a Natural History Website Entitled the CWES Nature Navigator, as a Resource for University Practicum Students at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Buchholz, S. (2007).Digital Resource Recommendations for the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program (LEAF). Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Wang, Y. (2007). The development, pilot-test, evaluation, and recommendations for an online course titled Environmental Studies of China. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Ziolkowski, C. B. (2007).The Development and Evaluation of a Biomass Activity Guide for the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Lane, J. (2006). Environmental Education Implementation in Wisconsin: Conceptualizations and Practices. PhD Dissertation. University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ermer, S. (2006).Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Overseas Program on Environmental Education for Teachers. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Gilbert, S. (2006).The Development of a Conceptual Guide for the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program (LEAF) Urban Forest Supplement. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Huxmann, J. (2006).Website Development Recommendations for Midwest State Wildlife Areas. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Lane, J. (2006).Environmental Education Implementation in Wisconsin: Conceptualizations and Practices. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. University of Wisconsin–Madison
Lockman, K. (2006).Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Herrewig, G. (2005). The feasibility of a student volunteer plan at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Jacobs, E. (2004). A Case Study on Attitudinal Changes of Teachers at an Environmental Charter School. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
McDonald, J. (2004). A Study of the Process of Developing Competency-based Environmental Education Certification Programs for Non-formal Environmental Educators. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Pardee, M. (2004). Using Artistic Expression in the Study of Watersheds: Creation of Wisconsin River of Words. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Estes, C. (2003). Developing, Evaluating, and Disseminating an Energy Education Resource Trunk. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Kane, S. (2003). The Development, Evaluation, and Application of a Conceptual Framework for K-12 Renewable Energy Education. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Kerkman, M. (2003). The Development and Evaluation of a Forestry Education Unit Taught by Trained Environmental Educators for Selected Fifth Grade Classrooms in Central Wisconsin. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Dixon, C. (2001). Research and Identification of Appropriate Environmental Education Resources for Schools. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
McIntyre, S. G. (2001). The Development of a Test Bank for the Wisconsin Envirothon Competition Program. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Zbleski-Kubish, B. (2001). The Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a One-credit, Undergraduate on-line course entitled Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Solin, J. (2000). Guidelines to Guide the Facilitator in Planning and Implementing Community Sustainable Forestry Education. Master’s Thesis. University of Minnesota, Duluth.

1987 – 1999

Carmichael, C. (1999). Creation, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Outdoor School Site Teacher Training Program at Rosholt School District. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Ciffone, E. (1999). An Evaluation of the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board’s Grants Program. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Koop, B (1999). Developing and Disseminating “Promising Energy Education Practices in Wisconsin: Developing a Network of Energy Educators” and Evaluation It’s Use by K-12 Educators. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Ardoin, N. (1998). An Environmental Education Needs Assessment Study in the Carazo Department of Nicaragua.Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Cassandra C. (1998). Creation, Implementation and Evaluation of an Outdoor School Site Curriculum and Teacher Training Program. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Davenport, L. (1998). The Development of Action Plans and Implementation Strategies for the Wisconsin Environmental Education Strategic Plan. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Hilgers, S. (1998). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the UW-SP National Science Foundation Teacher Training Program in Environmental Education. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Grossman, I. (1997). The development of the Wisconsin Supplement to National Project WET: A Water Resources Guide for Educators. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Meredith, K. (1996). The National Envirothon Environmental Literacy Evaluation. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Fleming, A. (1996). The Development of an Instrument for Evaluating World Wildlife Fund’s “Windows of the Wild” Biodiversity Program. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Peri, P. (1996). The Development of an Instrument to Assess Environmental Literacy of Eleventh Grade Students in Wisconsin. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Carlton, G. (1995). An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point’s Environmental Education Teacher Inservice Training Programs’ Ability to Enhance the Classroom Instructional Practices and School-Wide Leadership of Select Educators. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Cunningham, C. (1994).An Assessment of School Administrators Knowledge of, Attitudes Towards, and Degree of Support for Environmental Education in Wisconsin Public Schools. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Lane, J. (1993). An Assessment of Wisconsin Teachers’ Perceived Competencies in, Attitudes Toward, and Amount of Class Time Devoted to Teaching about the Environment. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Quale, A. (1993). The Development of an Instrument to Assess the Environmental Literacy of Fifth Grade Students in Wisconsin. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Strathe, S. (1991). Directing the Future Through Outdoor Skills—An Operational Master Plan for the Sheboygan County Outdoor Skills Center. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Byers, T. (1990). A Comprehensive Review of the Ridges Sanctuary with Recommendations for Management. Master’s Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Sivek, D. J. (1987). An Analysis of Selected Predictors of Environmental Behavior of Three Conservation Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Yockers, D. H. (1979).Selected Michigan Public School Teachers’ Perceptions About Factors Influencing the Utilization of Outdoor Sites and Resources for Outdoor/Environmental Education. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Michigan State University.

Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education • 1108 Fremont St. SSC 201, Stevens Point, WI 54481 • 715-346-4854 • wcee@uwsp.edu

Join Our Mailing List