place-based education science teacher education research
Place-based Education
Education for people, communities and the places where we live
Education empowers citizens to improve the quality of life in their communities. Every citizen can learn how to contribute to the health of human communities and the natural world through engaging in a broad range of learning experiences across the lifespan. The academic work of teaching courses, conducting educational research and sharing knowledge with others provides one pathway to understanding the teaching/learning processes that contribute to healthier human communities and natural places.
The courses described on this page focus on science teacher education, ecological and environmental education, experiential education and place-based education. Current students can find information and resources while prospective students can explore course information.
If you are a public school elementary science teacher, a high school science teacher, a teacher at nature centers, resident outdoor education centers, summer camps, museums or just interested as a parent in resources for teaching science, natural history, ecology, environmental education or education for sustainability then this is the location for many resources such as: lesson plans, activities, materials, and links to web-based resources.
The research projects highlighted here focus on science teacher education, teaching and learning concepts in ecology, and education reform focused on increasing connections between school curriculum and local communities.
Described here are consulting, workshop, and evaluation offerings for schools, organizations, and communities interested in improving community focused educational experiences for youth and citizens.
