An Overview of the Program Jen Dennison Wildlife Education Coordinator ODNR—Division of Wildlife Project WILD is a program of the Council for Environmental Education and is co-sponsored with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Co-sponsor of Science and Civics

an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program from the Council for Environmental Education focused on wildlife and the environment. Since 1983, it has reached over 900,000 K-12 teachers and 48 million students. It is expected to reach its 1 millionth educator this year! Project WILD is...  to engage students in hands-on learning  to teach students how to think, not what to think  to move learners from awareness to action Project WILD’s goal is...

National Wildlife Federation is the country’s largest member- supported conservation education organization. National Wildlife Federation’s mission is to educate, inspire and assist individuals and organizations of diverse cultures to conserve wildlife and other natural resources and to protect the Earth’s environment in order to achieve a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future.

 Incorporate content area and real-life learning experiences  Involve a service component  Include typically underserved audiences  Be consistent with educational trends  Expose students to a variety of careers Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife was designed to meet a recognized need for curriculum to...

Goals of Science and Civics  Involve students in grades 9-12 in an environmental action project that will benefit the local wildlife community.  Involve young adults in decisions affecting people in their community.  Integrate the concept of responsible action into all projects.  Create partnerships in the development and implementation of new programs.

Responsible Behavior/ Conservation Action Understanding Awareness Science and Civics Is Designed to Move Students From...

Teachers/ Students Teachers/ Students State Coordinators NWF Field Educators Facilitators Science and Civics Delivery System National Office (CEE) National Office (CEE) State Agencies NWF Regional Offices

Program Distribution Project WILD State Program Offices NWF Field Offices NWF State Affiliates And You!

Four Components of Science and Civics Habitat Exploration Taking Action Participatory DemocracyAwareness

Looks at changes that are occurring in habitats and the effects this has on the community. “Then and Now”

Glenwood Springs, Colorado 1950 (Aerial photos donated by Colorado Aerial Photo Service, Denver.)

Glenwood Springs, Colorado 1996 (Aerial photos donated by Colorado Aerial Photo Service, Denver.)

Looks at the three branches of the government as well as the roles of non-governmental groups and how they effect environmental laws such as the Endangered Species Act. “What’s Their Difference?”

Looks at Biodiversity, Watersheds and the Community. “Limits to Living Here”

Classes work together to identify their action project, develop it, carry it out, and then report on what they accomplished. “What Did They Do Over There?”

Schoolyard Habitats and WILD School Sites

Sweeny Elementary Santa Fe, NM

Belle Isle Nature Center Detroit, Michigan Before After Community Habitat

Creek Clean Up at Mays High School

Civics and Conservation

Frogwatch USA

Program Flow Awareness Problem Identification “Civics” Participatory Democracy “Science” Habitat Exploration Combined Planning Taking Action Assessment and Reflection

Curriculum Core  Science –math –experimental design –specific knowledge ecological, biological chemical, physical environmental –field methodologies data collection/analysis technology  Social Studies –language skills –critical analysis –specific knowledge geographic economic political –research literature review communication formats

Action Core  Community issue –Identified beneficiaries –Collaboration  Culminating Activity –Student developed –Teacher trained  Reflection –Periodic

Evaluation Components 1. Pre-Assessment 2. In-Class Work (portfolio) 3. Project a. Journal with guided questions b. IRAM (Individual Responsibility Assessment Method) for groups 4. Post-Assessment 5. Reflection

Key to Science and Civics... The Action Project: a culminating activity that demonstrates student synthesis and application of subject matter, knowledge, and skills.

Learn & Serve The National Learn and Serve Initiative  In 1989, President George Bush introduced the “Thousand Points of Light Initiative” to promote volunteer service by citizens of all ages.  In 1990, he signed a bipartisan bill to fund service-learning for K-12 schools as a part of the National and Community Service Trust Act. Learn and Serve Ohio  Provides youth with opportunities to learn and develop by bringing together classroom instruction and community service.  Grants are awarded to local education agencies that engage students K-12 in opportunities to help communities address education, public safety, human, and environmental needs.  Funds are used to create new programs, replicate existing programs and provide training and development to staff, students, and volunteers.

What is Service-Learning? Service-learning integrates community service into the academic curriculum. It is a method by which students learn and develop through active participation in service experiences that:  meet identified community needs and are coordinated in collaboration with the school and the community;  provide structured time for students to reflect on their experiences;  provide opportunities for students to use acquired skills and knowledge in “real life” situations;  enhance what is taught in school by extending student learning beyond the classroom; and  help foster the development of a sense of caring for others.

How Can I Become Involved? Ohio schools can apply for up to seven years of continuous funding, through different types of grants, for a total of $133,000. With continued successful performance, a grantee can initially receive $43,000 over a four-year period. Upon completion of those four years, the grantees have the potential to obtain $90,000 more for three additional years as a model program grant.  Development Grants – Year 1 is a $3,000 grant to involve all stakeholders in the development of a 3-year plan to implement service-learning.  Implementation Grants – Year 2 is a $15,000 grant to begin implementing the 3-year plan.  Implementation/Adult Volunteer Grants – Year 3 is a $15,000 grant to continue implementing the 3 year plan with a focus on involving adult volunteers who participate in the planning and serve side by side with students.  Transition Grants – Year 4 is a $10,000 grant, providing a transition year with reduced funding to focus on identifying funds to support the program locally.  Model Grants – Years 5, 6, 7 are $30,000 grants and schools apply for a model grant after they have completed a cycle of funding. Successful grantees have to provide evidence of quality integration of service-learning into the academic curriculum, expansion of their program, and have the capacity to provide training and technical assistance statewide.

Where Can I Obtain More Information? Charlotte Jones-Ward Learn and Serve Ohio Program Director Ohio Department of Education 25 South Front Street, Mail Stop 403 Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) OHIO’S LEARN AND SERVE RESOURCES  Learn and Serve Ohio Directory  Learn and Serve Ohio Training Manual  Learn and Serve Ohio Website:  Mentor Program

Thank you for your participation in this exciting program! Jen Dennison ODNR—Division of Wildlife Wildlife Education Coordinator 2045 Morse Rd., Bldg G. Columbus, OH Carolyn Watkins- Chief OEPA-OEEF