Aquatic WildJust Keep Swimming….

http://projectwild.org/projectwildwebsite/

HistoryCouncil For Environmental Education

Wildlife In Learning Design

1983

Roots with Western regional Environmental Education Council, Inc. and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (since 1970)

Last updated in 2013

1.3 Million educators strong

Back in Illinois

Illinois Sate Coordinator: Jennifer Day Tariq

Importance of Environmental Education

1. Young people spend ? Hours using electronic media in a typical day .

2. ? % of children ages 6-9 are overweight.

3. ? % Of schools have cut recess.

4. Children are ? Times more likely to play video games than ride a bike.

5. ? Of pediatricians believe that unstructured play helps build children’s social skills and confidence.

6. ? % of pediatricians believe that unstructured play helps kids from becoming overweight.

7. ? % of pediatricians believe that unstructured play helps kids improve problem-solving skills

The truth is…the nature of childhood has changed.

There’s not much nature in it.

Environmental Education Philosophy

ExperienceUnderstandAppreciate

Ecophobia“Beyond Ecophobia”

By David Sobel

56 % worry that the planet will be…. a very unpleasant place to live.1

Step 1: Ages 4-7Appreciation

Cultivate empathy between child & natural world

Focus on what’s around them

Explore relationships & emotions

Step # 2: Ages 8-11Exploration

Child’s world expands beyond their home

More daring, shall we say?

Step # 3: Ages 12+Social Action

Child’s social interest changes

Local, obtainable projects make the greatest impact

“What’s important is that Children have an opportunity to,

Bond with the natural world, To learn to love it and feel comfortable in it,

Before being asked to heal its wounds." - David Sobel

Help students how to think, not what to think.

Sample Activity

In Step with STEM

Procedure

Wild Work

Activity Sidebar

BackgroundObjectives

Sample Activity

Extensions

Evaluation

Student Pages

Activity 1:

Activity 2:

Activity 3:Field Investigation!

Breakout SessionsDragonfly Pond (pg. 282)

Water Works (pg. 216)

How Wet Is Our Planet (pg. 180)

Marsh Munchers (pg. 75)

Aquatic Wild

Resources