The Institute of Ecosystem Studies was recently presented with a Green Achievement Award by Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus. The honor, shared with the Millbrook Central School District, recognizes the Institute's collaborative role in developing an ecosystem literacy-based curriculum for K-12 students.

Students excel when lessons are interconnected and developmentally-appropriate. This approach, called a learning progression, is at the cutting edge of education research. By drawing on teachers' expertise on how students learn, and infusing lessons with current ecological findings, a K-12 ecosystem literacy progression is being mapped. Lessons will help students advance toward a mastery of ecosystem concepts.

Ten elementary school teachers are involved in the first phase of the project. Last summer, IES educators Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Ms. Kim Notin, and Ms. Cornelia Tutschka helped participants develop a K-5 learning progression that centered on water. The units draw on the Institute's environmental research and educational expertise to convey standards-based science lessons.

Water provides an excellent pathway for getting students to investigate complex questions. Lessons have been developed exploring how water flows through different ecosystems (forests, cities, schoolyards, and ponds); the relationship between water and living things; states of water (solid, liquid, and gas); human use of water; and the nature of evaporation, precipitation, and transpiration.

Over the next year, curriculum work will progress to include middle and high school instruction. The goal is to have students graduate with an understanding of ecosystems, including the impact that humans have on them. This will empower students to make informed decisions about a range of environmental issues, from sustainable agriculture to energy use.

Learn more about the IES Education Program

Learn more about the Green Achievement Award