Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Foundation Environmental Challenge
Students from the 2011 Environmental Challenge set up for their final presentation
This environmentally focused service-learning program helps teachers work with local community partners to develop student-directed initiatives to support safe, clean water in the Neuse River basin. Through our work together, we teach kids to create real and positive change in their own lives and communities.
The program was created in partnership with the Environmental Educators of NC. Other supporters of the program include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative.
Check out these videos created by students of the Neuse RIVERKEEPER Foundation Environmental Challenge in 2011!
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About the Program
The Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Foundation Environmental Challenge is designed to be a model program that promotes meaningful classroom-based service learning in communities through community partnerships, teacher enrichment, and student engagement.
Participating teachers are trained in the Earth Force service-learning model which provides tools to guide students as they assess environmental issues in their watershed and design action projects to address those issues.
This curriculum is an established 6-Step process that builds educators' capacity to enable youth to identify and research an environmental issue in the community and then develop and implement a sustainable action plan to address that issue.
In addition to creating real change in their communities, students will also gain academically. Through project research, development, and execution, students will deepen their understanding of core science concepts and strengthen their language arts, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
Student action projects can take shape in many forms such as public education campaigns, environmental preservation projects, or curriculum development for school and environmental programming. These students created a plan to ask the City of Raleigh to "Preserve and Protect Wetlands" through the new development code they were writing.
Projects are carried out during regular classroom instruction, elective classes, or after school clubs over the course of the school year.
Community partner organizations will play an important role in helping students identify and understand important water-related issues. These organizations will include non-profits and local government agencies. The organizations will benefit as student work enhances and highlights the valuable work that each organization does to protect watershed resources.
The ultimate goal of student work is to create real change in communities in terms of behaviors, rules, or policies related to the local watershed.
Apply Now: teachers of grades 4-12 are invited to apply. Please click on one of the links below to download registration and application materials: PDF Application Doc Application
You can send your materials by mail or email to: Matthew Starr Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Foundation 612 West Lane Street Raleigh, NC 27603 matthew@neuseriver.org
Important Dates for 2012
May 18-19: Earth Force training in Raleigh for participating teachers
May-July: Teachers make contact with community partner organizations and make initial preparations
August: Students begin project work
December: Students complete project work
January: Final project work showcased at the Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Film Festival
The Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Foundation Environmental Challenge has been created through a partnership between the Neuse RIVERKEEPER® Foundation (NRF) and Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC). EENC is in its 21st year of promoting excellence in professional development to inspire educators to build an environmentally literate citizenry. EENC is the professional organization for environmental educators in the state of North Carolina and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity run entirely by volunteers. Learn more about EENC at www.eenc.org.
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Learn how to start an Environmental Challenge in your river basin!
Check out the document library below and contact alissa@neuseriver.org for additional information and support. You can help create the next generation of environmental stewards too!
