Online Resources
Listed below are a number of valuable online environmental educational resources:
Malama `Aina Foundation
The Malama `Aina Foundation is a curriculum development organization supported by the Consortium for Hawai`i Ecological Education (CHEE). The consotrium has brought together various institutions to develop educational, project-based programs at all levels (K-12 and college-level) that would train Native Hawaiian and other students in the ecological sciences to become better stewards of Hawai`i’s unique environment. Read about projects that have been highly successful in encouraging students to study mathematical and scientific principles embedded in traditional Hawaiian environmental practices at http://www.malamaaina.org
Navigating Change
The Navigating Change Teacher’s Guide is a five part, Hawai’i DOE Standards (HCPS 3) aligned curriculum for grades 4-5. The teacher’s guide includes five units that are designed to help students explore their relationships to the environment and ways that they can “navigate change” in their own communities. Navigating Change was envisioned by the Polynesian Voyaging Society to motivate people to better care for their land and sea looking at the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) as a catalyst for change to occur in the main Hawaiian Islands. For more information, go to http://www.malamahawaii.org/navchange.html
Moanalua Gardens Foundation
Moanalua Gardens Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve the native culture and environment of Hawaii through education. Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), along with Bishop Museum and the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE), developed and disseminated the Ohia Project curriculum from 1986-1989. The goal of the `Ohi`a Project is to assist Hawaii schools in implementing effective environmental education curricula to aid teachers and students in making informed choices for our island environment. Although most of the curriculum is out-of-print, MGF has a few popular `Ohi`a Project lessons available for download. The MGF is currently working with local agencies to update and align sections of the `Ohi`a Project to Hawai`i DOE Standards (HCPS 3). Check out the `Ohi`a Project water lessons. and the `Ohi`a Project invasive species lessons.
Hawaii’s Living Reef Ecosystem
This website has a great list of resources for teachers about coral reef systems and a fun game for students: http://www.hawaiireef.net/teachers/teachers.shtml
The Green Schools Initiative
Our current school systems are threats to our children’s health, models of unsustainability, and significant contributors to society’s broader environmental and health problems. Learn about ways to make your school a model of a healthy and sustainable environment at http://www.greenschools.net/report/index.html Be sure to check out their resource page which has a comprehensive listing of valuable websites.
Sustainable Food in Schools
Sustainable Table is a consumer campaign created in 2003 by the GrassRoots Action Center for the Environment (GRACE). They work to educate consumers and increase demand for sustainable food through awareness campaigns, promotional events and by offering viable solutions to the factory farm problem. They have brought their campaign to schools! A growing number of parents, students and school administrators are working to bring farm fresh, local food back to the cafeteria or dining hall. Various efforts are underway to expose children to nutritious food, including gardening programs where children grow and then prepare the food they harvest. Check out http://www.sustainabletable.org/schools and see what’s being done around the country to make school lunches sustainable.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Offers background information on a variety of topics, lesson plans, and activities that will assist you in your educational goals whether you teach in a traditional classroom setting, an outdoor classroom, a community center or in your home: http://www.epa.gov/teachers/
Classroom Earth
ClassroomEarth.org is a veritable “best of the best�? collection of environmental education programs and resources for K-12 teachers, parents, and students. This new site will help educators, after-school providers and home-schooling parents to get started or improve their skills in environmental education. It provides up-to-date information on the most successful, well-tested and effective national environmental education programs today. http://www.classroomearth.org/
MacGillivray Freeman’s Coral Reef Adventure
MacGillivray Freeman Films make IMAX®-Theatre films that show how more than half of the world’s remaining coral reefs are being threatened by overfishing, coastal development, pollution, ocean warming and other acts of human carelessness. Learn more about this fragile ecosystem on their website through pictures, facts, games, and links to other web resources. Also, check out their site for a teacher’s guide and more information about their newest project, Coral Reef Adventure: http://coralfilm.com/edu.html
The Earth & Sky Radio Series
EarthCare is featured in The Earth & Sky radio series website. Learn about many environmental topics, specifically for students or teachers, through featured stories about conservation and Earth Stewardship. Each story page enables you to either read or listen to the radio show, or select a “More Information” page for a wealth of related web links and other material. Many stories correspond to Project Learning Tree activities. http://www.earthsky.org/shows/earthcare/