YA Eco Mysteries, Memoirs, Novels & Travel
Alabama Biodiversity in our Hands
20/03/15 15:57 Filed in: Environment
EEAA Annual Conference Alabama’s Biodiversity: It’s in our Hands!
The theme selected for the 2015 EEAA Annual Conference, Alabama's Biodiversity: It's in Our Hands, could not be more stimulating and relevant. The presentations and field trips at the conference highlight our state’s amazing biodiversity. Scot Duncan, author of Southern Wonder, will be the key note speaker. In addition, pre-conference, day-long workshops provide an overflowing cornucopia of resources for teachers, thanks to Shirley Farrell, Gifted Specialist, Alabama Department of Education.
The theme selected for the 2015 EEAA Annual Conference, Alabama's Biodiversity: It's in Our Hands, could not be more stimulating and relevant. The presentations and field trips at the conference highlight our state’s amazing biodiversity. Scot Duncan, author of Southern Wonder, will be the key note speaker. In addition, pre-conference, day-long workshops provide an overflowing cornucopia of resources for teachers, thanks to Shirley Farrell, Gifted Specialist, Alabama Department of Education.
I was honored to be invited to make a presentation to a diverse and dynamic group of environmental educators from across the state.
CLAIRE DATNOW PRESENtING AT EEAA PRECONFERENCE
My presentation, Environmental Project Based Learning (PBL), demonstrates how teachers can inspire students to launch a real world project that will make a difference in their schools and communities. For example in my Eco mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, six determined teens investigate how they can help save a species that includes, the monarch butterfly, a hundred-year-old white oak, and how to conserve the rare Cahaba lily. Through PBL students investigate real problems and then find ways to take action to solve that problem. Environmental education is a perfect match for PBL.
CLAIRE DATNOW AND SOOZI PLINE PROGRAM COORDINATOR HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Using the project-based method students follow the same procedures that scientists follow—hypothesis, research, experimentation, drawing conclusions, and applying what they have learned to solve problems.
During my presentation, I outlined the steps for guiding the students through a project from start to completion.
3) Students Research the Species, using a wide range of tools from the internet to field trips, from interviews to using apps.
4. Students Draw Conclusions, and then Take Action.
5. Students Write and Publish an Eco Mystery to share with the school, the community, and the world. For more information on using iAuthor to create books for the iBooks Store, or to send a book to the Kindle Book Store contact me: cldatnow@me.com
SHRILLY FARRELL LEADING TEACHERS ON A NATURE WALK
As they move through these steps students will be applying the skills listed in the core curriculum. They will improve their creative and technical writing skills. They can also become citizen scientists and help collect data for scientists. For more ideas and inspiration visit these blogs:
Environmental Project Based Learning
* Teacher Handout HOW TO BECOME AN ECO DETECTIVE: An Interdisciplinary Unit for writing Across the Curriculum
* Citizen Scientists
EEAA: The Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) is a non-profit group of educators and professionals teaching about the environment. EEAA is an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Throughout the year, EEAA conducts workshops, hosts an annual conference, and offers members’ trips to various natural sites. EEAA also sponsors an annual awards program, maintains free teaching trunks and offers financial grants to its membership.
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CLAIRE DATNOW PRESENtING AT EEAA PRECONFERENCE
My presentation, Environmental Project Based Learning (PBL), demonstrates how teachers can inspire students to launch a real world project that will make a difference in their schools and communities. For example in my Eco mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, six determined teens investigate how they can help save a species that includes, the monarch butterfly, a hundred-year-old white oak, and how to conserve the rare Cahaba lily. Through PBL students investigate real problems and then find ways to take action to solve that problem. Environmental education is a perfect match for PBL.
CLAIRE DATNOW AND SOOZI PLINE PROGRAM COORDINATOR HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDENS
Using the project-based method students follow the same procedures that scientists follow—hypothesis, research, experimentation, drawing conclusions, and applying what they have learned to solve problems.
During my presentation, I outlined the steps for guiding the students through a project from start to completion.
- 1) Plan a Launch Party to drum up enthusiasm for the project and to stimulate students’ curiosity. How to Become an Eco Detective—an Interdisciplinary Unit for writing Across the Curriculum—gets kids excited, curious and asking questions about endangered species.
3) Students Research the Species, using a wide range of tools from the internet to field trips, from interviews to using apps.
4. Students Draw Conclusions, and then Take Action.
5. Students Write and Publish an Eco Mystery to share with the school, the community, and the world. For more information on using iAuthor to create books for the iBooks Store, or to send a book to the Kindle Book Store contact me: cldatnow@me.com
SHRILLY FARRELL LEADING TEACHERS ON A NATURE WALK
As they move through these steps students will be applying the skills listed in the core curriculum. They will improve their creative and technical writing skills. They can also become citizen scientists and help collect data for scientists. For more ideas and inspiration visit these blogs:
Environmental Project Based Learning
* Teacher Handout HOW TO BECOME AN ECO DETECTIVE: An Interdisciplinary Unit for writing Across the Curriculum
* Citizen Scientists
EEAA: The Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) is a non-profit group of educators and professionals teaching about the environment. EEAA is an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Throughout the year, EEAA conducts workshops, hosts an annual conference, and offers members’ trips to various natural sites. EEAA also sponsors an annual awards program, maintains free teaching trunks and offers financial grants to its membership.
WANT TO SHARE OR COMMENT? Please click on the icons(s) of your favorite social media to share, or to comment.