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Environmental Education – An Earth Day Perspective

Emma, 1997.
photo by her proud mum

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  • Earth Day began as a teaching exercise, and environmental education is still a main goal of the day.

    Here are a few earth science programs perfect for introducing an Earth Day theme to the classroom:

    • Project Wet: Water Education for Teachers. And we mean “teachers” in the broadest sense of the word. Our curriculum materials are designed for educators of all kinds—from classroom teachers and informal educators like scout troop leaders and nature center interpreters to parents and other family members. Free digital lessons have been added.
    • Project WILD: Project WILD’s mission is to help students learn how to think, not what to think, about wildlife and the environment. All curriculum materials are backed by sound educational practices and theory, and represent the work of many professionals within the fields of education and natural resource management from across the country.
    • Project Learning Tree: Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
    • A collaboration among all THREE of these award-winning resources is Teaching About Climate Change: Water, Trees and Wildlife.

    The COVID-19 pandemic the kibosh on our big plans for a 50th anniversary of Earth Day back in 2020, but it did offer a couple of educational opportunities we might otherwise have missed.

    • Do you REALLY know how to wash your hands thoroughly? Not just singing a song for 30 seconds but really getting them clean? Watch this YouTube video and find out just how wrong you’ve been!
    • The North American Association for Environmental Education has gathered a comprehensive list of “virtual field trips” for everything from zoos, to museums, to national parks.
    • Keep PA Beautiful has prepared a five-volume activity resource called “Open Your Eyes to Litter” in both Spanish and English about the dangers and cost of litter.

    Finally, check out the YouTube channel Five-Minded and their short animated history of Earth Day.

    ferncliff exhibit book

    If you’re looking for some good reading to share with your children or to learn a little yourself, visit our ever-expanding reading list page.

    Create Natural Play Areas

    Playgrounds that feel more like the natural world in which they are located? What fun!
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    704 Lisburn Road, Suite 102 | Camp Hill, PA 17011
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    P: 717-236-7644 | F: 717-236-0972

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    Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. PPFF’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.