Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Environmental Education Outreach Program August 2010 Environmental Education for Native Learners

Presentation Overview My Program – TEEOP My Experience Alaska Native Knowledge Network Dine’ Educational Philosophy Environmental Education Community Based Learning Academic Standards Partnerships with Schools Some EEOP Activities

Mission Statement “The vision and mission of the EEOP staff is to foster life-changing learning experiences in the application of science, mathematics, technology and engineering to local issues that empower American Indian students of all ages to become self-determinate citizens of their sovereign tribal nation.”

Primary Goals –Recruitment and retention of tribal students in science, environmental, engineering, and health careers –Effective science literacy programs in tribal schools –Tribal Environmental Professionals doing effective environmental education and outreach –Better learning environment in all tribal schools (Indoor Air Quality)

My Experience Education BS Chemistry / MS Chemical Engineer Military – Chemist and Chemical Engineer Chemistry Teacher – Environmental Chemistry Science / Engineering Education K-12 Teacher Education Figured out most things the hard way – by experience… Learning later it had a title.

Alaska Native Knowledge Network Supported by NSF Cultural standards And a lot more…

Cultural Standards Curriculum Schools Community Students Educators

Cultural Standards – Curriculum Uses local knowledge system Focuses on contemporary life in Native communities Presents knowledge about “place” Emphasizes inter-relationship between local and global All community members potential teachers

Cultural Standards – Schools Encourage interaction between students and elders Support experiential approaches to education Invite community into school

Cultural Standards – Community Community-wide, family- oriented events Helps with development of curriculum Assists educators with learning about community Actively involved with schools

Cultural Standards – Students Practice their traditional responsibilities to surrounding environment Interact with elders Use local “ways of knowing” Use local knowledge to solve problems

Cultural Standards – Educators Use elders in their teaching Create opportunities for students to apply their cultural knowledge Ground all teaching on a local cultural foundation Become active members of community

Dine’ Educational Philosophy Dine’ College (Navajo Nation) Educational Philosophy And a lot more…

Implementation of Dine’ Philosophy  Harmony with the natural world and the universe (spiritually)  Understanding the nature of the human condition  Life-Long Learning – Learn the skills for self- directed learning  Community involvement  Applications of values – Decision making  Preparation for opportunities in life

North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Supported by EPA Educational Guidelines And a lot more…

Standards Fairness and accuracy Depth Skills building Action orientation Instructional soundness

Fairness and Accuracy Factual accuracy Balanced of differing viewpoints and theories Openness to inquiry Reflection of diversity

Depth Awareness Focus on concepts Concepts in context Attention to different scales

Skills Building Critical and creative thinking Applying skills to issues Action skills

Action Orientation Sense of personal stake and responsibility Self-efficacy (empowerment)

Instructional Soundness Learner-centered instruction Different ways of learning Connection to learners' everyday lives Expanded learning environment Interdisciplinary Appropriateness for specific learning settings Assessment

Community Based Learning All Communities and EPA A Philosophy of Education And a lot more… iscussion_paper.pdf

Community Based Learning actively apply concepts and information, skills or attitudes to local situations. learners become pro-active problem solvers rather than problem study-ers. communication which is the examination of differing opinions and potentially conflicting viewpoints

Community Based Learning includes community-based study and action encourages intergenerational contact provides a context for this learning community members as resources and partners combines real experience with classroom learning promotes citizenship helps schools and communities work together

Academic Standards National and State Educational Standards Emphasis on Reading, Writing, and Math Accountability to test scores

Partnerships with Schools What are the needs and goals of the school? Connecting community and school. Resources for the schools.

Protective Circle (Not currently funded) Provided materials to teachers Partnership with tribal EPA office Composting and Vermiculture

Groundwater Protection 3-D Groundwater Models Greater visual understanding

Hands-On Science The science of trash

Plastic Bags Cattle and Sheep eat plastic bags No nutritional value Block sheep intestines

Mansel A. Nelson Senior Program Coordinator Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP) Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Northern Arizona University (NAU) Voice FAX PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011