Environmental Science Literacy Project

Alan R. Berkowitz
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Overview:

The Cary Institute is one of several institutions involved in a new project supported by a 5-year grant from the National Science Foundation's Math Science Partnership (MSP) program. The Environmental Science Literacy (ESL) project focuses on the critical education juncture of middle through high school (grades 6-12). Universities and research centers associated with four Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) programs across the nation are collaborating with school districts to a) define essential pathways for achieving environmental science literacy, and b) to develop and test teacher professional development programs that help accomplish this ambitious goal through innovative instruction in the sciences in middle and high schools. The changes needed within institutions of higher education and the schools to sustain effective environmental science teaching will be explored and implemented. Key components of the project revolve around goals for research, professional development and systemic change.

Research Goals:
   1. Define and elaborate environmental science literacy learning progressions and assessments.
   2. Explore variation in students' and teachers' environmental science thinking and learning.
   3. Develop and test innovative environmental science teaching resources.
Professional Development Goals:
   4. Develop and implement innovative and effect professional develop (PD) models for teachers.
   5. Enhance environmental science instruction in partnership schools.
Systemic Change Goals:
   6. Integrate culturally relevant, environmental content-based, PD models for K-12 teachers into district in service-learning tracks.
   7. Develop and sustain university programs for outreach, graduate training and degrees

Principal Investigator:
       o Dr. John C. Moore, Colorado State University and Short Grass Steppe LTER

Co-Investigators:
       o Dr. Charles Anderson, Michigan State University, Kellogg Biological Station LTER
       o Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Baltimore Ecosystem Study LTER
       o Raymond Tschillard, Poudre Learning Center, Greeley-Evans School District
       o Dr. Allison Whitmer, Georgetown University, Santa Barbara Coastal LTER
       o Dr. Robert L. Mayes, University of Wyoming
       o Dr. William Hoyt, University of Northern Colorado
       o Dr. Laurel Hartley, University of Colorado Denver
       o Dr. Sarah Haines, Towson University
       o Dr. Andrew Warnock, Colorado State University

Project Evaluator:
       o Dr. Rose Shaw, Metrica, Inc.

ESL Project Framework and Working Groups (March 2009)

For more information about the project or the 6 Working Groups, contact:

• Project-Wide: John Moore, jcmoore@nrel.colostate.edu, or Kimberly Melville-Smith, Kimberly.Melville-Smith@ColoState.edu


• Carbon Working Group: Andy Anderson, andya@msu.edu
  
• Water Working Group: Andrew Warnock, andrew.warnock@colostate.edu
  
• Biodiversity Working Group: Laurel Hartley, Laurel.Hartley@ucdenver.edu; or Brooke Wilke, wilkebro@msu.edu
  
• Quantitative Dimensions Working Group: Robert L. Mayes, rmayes2@uwyo.edu
  
• Citizenship Working Group: Alan Berkowitz, berkowitza@caryinstitute.org
  
• Professional Development Working Group: Raymond Tschillard, RTSCHILLARD@greeleyschools.org, or Rose Shaw, roseshaw@cybox.com

Back