|
Project Learning Tree: Critical Thinking for Students, Critical Resource for Science Teachers By PLT Staff
Project Learning Tree (PLT), the award-winning environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, has created a series of modules for secondary school students that address some of the most important environmental issues that Americans are facing. The curriculum is aligned to most state standards, and individual activities and lessons can easily be integrated into specific science courses, including general and Advanced Placement biology, environmental science, and earth science.
Since it began more than 30 years ago, PLT has provided students with opportunities to investigate environmental issues and encourages them to make informed, responsible decisions. PLT’s elementary school curriculum presents content in one handbook, but an extensive survey of middle and high school teachers showed the upper grades needed a different approach. Thus, PLT’s secondary-level materials are divided into seven topic-area modules. Teachers, curriculum specialists, environmental and natural resource professionals are involved throughout the development of each module, from the initial concepts to pretesting and revisions. The modules include background information about each topic and tips to teach it effectively, as well as eight to 10 student activities that strengthen critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Each activity also covers such practical information as the materials and time required, skills targeted, and opportunities for student assessment. Teachers can get copies of the materials, as well as learn the most effective ways to use them, through free or low-cost workshops held locally in your state or at professional development conferences. Newest Modules: Biotechnology and Global Forests The newest modules relate to two hot topics: biotechnology and global forests. Here’s what teachers will find in them: • Biotechnology: A new Biotechnology Supplement has been created for an expansion of our existing module, Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk. It increases students’ awareness, understanding, skills, and motivation to objectively explore this multifaceted (and often controversial) topic. Classroom activities and case studies cover biotechnology and its relationship to pollution, human health, and other issues.
• Global Forests: Global Connections: Forests of the World was released in summer 2008 in partnership with the World Forestry Center in Oregon. Its nine activities provide students with the opportunity to do research and apply critical thinking skills to consider the social, economic, and environmental implications that underlie decisions about forest management worldwide. Global issues addressed in the module include deforestation, forest certification, biodiversity, and climate change, among others. Other Topics, from Biodiversity to Waste Management The existing modules are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant and up-to-date. They cover the following topics: • Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk: As noted above, Biotechnology was designed as a supplement to this module, in which students explore health and environmental risks that affect their everyday lives. Students learn the rationale for and the mechanics of risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. • Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity: Developed in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, this module uses biodiversity as a window to investigate the environment. Students learn that decisions about growth and development, energy use, water quality, and health rest to some extent on perspectives about biodiversity. This module is available online. • Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live: This module deals with a particularly relevant topic in communities across the country: change and development. It provides educators with a useful tool for place-based education to help create a bond between youths and their communities. Students explore current and future community environmental issues, enabling them to make informed decisions about those issues. • Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste: Students explore the interrelationships among waste generation, natural resource use, and waste disposal. The activities guide students through waste management strategies and solutions while providing the necessary tools to make informed decisions and choices on waste management issues. • Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests: Focusing on forests helps students better understand the complexity of many environmental issues. In this module, they examine issues objectively, collect and analyze data, and become involved in decision-making experiences.
• The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology: Students examine ecological systems of a forest; analyze interdependencies within a forest ecosystem; and explore factors, like fire, that shape the development of forests. In addition, they develop critical-thinking skills and discover the importance of scientific analysis when making decisions about forest issues. To Learn More |
