Environmental Education and
The Show-Me Standards

Graphic of a farm with farmland in the spring.Environmental Education Approach

Environmental education involves a multidisciplinary process that focuses on critical analysis of environmental issues by gathering information; organizing information; interpreting information to draw conclusions and make inferences; and making a personal commitment to responsible action. Students need to understand that decisions made with regard to controversial issues often have profound ramifications for their lives and the lives of future generations. Environmental education provides students with skills on how to think, not what to think. Teacher training is the key in meeting objectives for environmental education.

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Available Environmental Education Videos New icon.

Environmental Education Workshops

Big River Workshops

The department in partnership with Living Lands and Waters offers a series of educational workshops for teachers and interested citizens focusing on the function and importance of the big river systems in America. The workshops will provide information on watersheds, human activity's impact on the rivers and river history, as well as providing details of some of the unique activities and uses of the large river systems of our nation. The workshops are also designed to augment the growing stewardship efforts that are developing on our big river systems.

Project WET

Serving as the state sponsor of Project WET (Water Education for Teachers).

Igniting Creative Energy Student Challenge

The second annual Igniting Creative Energy Student Challenge sponsored by Johnson Controls and administered by the National Energy Foundation. Last year's Challenge was a huge success. This year the grand prize will be an all expense paid educational trip of a lifetime for three outstanding students and a teacher. Check out the Web site for more Igniting Creative Energy Student Challenge details. Applications postmarked no later than March 15, 2003.

Environmental Education and the Show-Me Standards

Through pre- or in-service training, teachers gain competencies in environmental concepts, in facilitating higher order thinking skills (critical thinking, problem solving and decision making) and in performance-based assessment. The environment can provide real issues for developing higher order thinking skills in students when facilitated by trained teachers. Teachers trained with this environmental education approach will be able to make a smoothe transition to the instructional methods change mandated by the Show-Me Standards.

Environmental education staff focus on assisting teachers to enhance their students' proficiency in the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the Show-Me Standards. The department's environmental education activities are correlated with the following standards:

Performance (Process) Standards

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.10 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7

Knowledge (Content) Standards

SC1, SC3, SC4, SC5, SC7, SC8 SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS7, MA1, MA2, MA3, CA3, CA4, CA6, HP6, FA4

The environment is a recurring theme in Missouri's Frameworks for Curriculum Development. Environmental topics are included on 30 percent of the pages of the major strands for Science and Social Studies Frameworks and 21 percent for Communication Arts.

In addition, a 1997 Roper Survey found that 95 percent of adults in the United States and 96 percent of parents support environmental education being taught in schools. The same survey revealed that the public supports environmental protection. Although Americans are seeking balance between environmental protection and economic growth, citizens are willing to pay more for products and services to protect the environment. This concerned public must acquire knowledge and skills in responsible action to maintain a high level of environmental quality.

Teachers trained with this environmental education approach can lead their students to take better care of our environment in the future than adults do now. Thus, objectives are met for both environmental education and the Show-Me Standards.

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