Reconnecting with Nature One Classroom at a Time

Author(s)

Bianca ApuzzoFollow

Major

Plant Sciences

Advisor

Olagundoye, Tolani

Advisor Department

Natural Resources Science

Date

5-2024

Keywords

Environmental Science; Environmental Science Education; Secondary Science Education

Abstract

Environmental science is more important to today’s society than it has ever been, and developing basic ecoliteracy is the easiest way we can work towards a more sustainable future. Ecoliteracy allows us to connect deeper to nature and provides us with the information needed to protect and restore our beautiful planet. We are rolling downhill, picking up speed as we go, through a silent mass extinction. The scariest part of it all: nobody seems to care.

In response to the lack of environmental education provided to today’s students, I have created a syllabus for a high school level science course dedicated to the development of ecoliteracy. Most importantly, this course will provide students with a chance to reconnect with nature. Deciding what to include in the syllabus was much more difficult than I thought, however, I decided that environmental science would be best taught with intertwining units. Intertwining units will allow students to apply their knowledge more frequently, ensuring that they are truly understanding the material rather than learning the material for a test and then forgetting all about it. My overall goal is to be able to provide students with proper environmental science education that is beneficial, engaging, and fun. I decided that labs were necessary, however, I created labs that are less meticulous and more experiential. I find that the more meticulous the lab is, the less fun and engaging it is. This course will provide students with the essential tools to make a difference.

Throughout this process I learned that in order to learn about nature you must fully immerse yourself into it. After teaching a mock lesson to my peers about the importance of plants, and giving them the opportunity to plant sunflowers afterwards, I realized just how important it is to practice what you are learning. It was delightful to see such excitement about plants and the environment from people who never really thought about what it meant to help save the planet.