Environmental education

Pennsylvania Resources Council
Pennsylvania Resources Council's mission is to promote conservation of our natural resources and protection of scenic beauty through public education and outreach in a collaborative effort with government agencies, business, charitable foundations and other nonprofit organizations. PRC's web site, www.prc.org, features energy conservation tips, student conservation tips and an environmental resource guide. PRC offers teacher workshops, classroom programs and assembly programs in schools. Program topics include anti-litter, water monitoring, recycling and energy.

National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society provides educational materials designed for students in all grades at www.nationalgeographic.com. Topics include earth, physical, and environmental sciences. A free catalogue lists related materials, including videos, books, atlases, globes, software, maps, posters, Wonders of Learning kits, Picture Pack transparency sets, interactive videodiscs and CD-ROMs.

Envirothon
Envirothon is an annual outdoor program involving teams of high school students in local, regional and national competitions relating to knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and environmental issues. It is funded by grants and donations from businesses. Contact Nelson Strong, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 4383 Fountain Square Drive B-3, Columbus OH 43224-1385. You can visit the national Envirothon Web site at www.envirothon.org/.

Ohio EPA Environmental Education Best Practices
The Ohio EE 2000 collaborative has produced "Best Practices for Environmental Education: Guidelines for Success," a strategic plan for environmental education in Ohio. The report includes guidelines for program content, program development and implementation, evaluation and assessment, and professional development, and is available online from www.eeco-online.org. Printed copies are available from the Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education (see contact information above). Or, you can view the report online at www.environmentaleducationohio.org/eeohio/education/beyond.html.

Ohio EPA CD-ROM - Protecting Your Environment
An interactive CD-ROM, "Protecting Your Environment," is available at no cost to teachers and environmental educators through the Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education, P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049, phone (614) 644-2873 or e-mail to oeef@epa.state.oh.us. The CD-ROM has downloadable photos, video clips and interactive windows on steps that students can take to reduce environmental health risks, along with an environmental literacy quiz and games to test understanding of the issues presented. For more information on the CD-ROM, visit www.epa.state.oh.us/oeef/OCRPPG1.htm.

Ohio State University Extension Curriculum Available
The Ohio State University Extension has developed a five-lesson curriculum, "Go Plants!" for grades 3-4. This inquiry-based, five-week course covers seeds, roots, stems, leaves and flowers. For information, contact your county Extension office, call (614) 292-1607, or visit www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~plants.

Alliance to Save Energy Free Lesson Plans
Free multi-disciplinary lesson plans in PDF format can be downloaded from the web site of the Alliance to Save Energy, www.ase.org/educators/index.htm. Subjects include energy sources, conservation, and studies on conducting a home energy audit.

Green Schools Web Site
The Green Schools program helps schools use energy efficiently through building retrofits, changes in operational and maintenance routines, and changes in the behavior of building users. The program encourages students, teachers, custodians, administrators and community partners to work together toward a common goal - saving energy and money. For more information, visit the Green Schools Web site at www.ase.org/greenschools.

(06/20/08)