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An Alaskan Environmental Literacy Plan is Underway
04/27/2010
| Marilyn Sigman, Alaska SeaGrant/MAP
Tags: Ocean and Climate Literacy, Culturally-relevant Science Education, Alaska K-12 Science Education
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COSEE Alaska is promoting ocean and climate change literacy through a planning effort to develop an Alaskan Environmental Literacy Plan (AKELP). The plan is being designed to connect youth with the natural world and the communities within which they live. The plan will promote learning and physical activity in outdoor settings. It is a framework to guide schools (PreK-12) in integrating place-based learning that is supported by community partners and will ensure that all students graduate as environmentally-literate citizens.
COSEE Alaska is a member of a working group that includes members from the Alaska Natural Resources and Outdoor Educators (ANROE) organization, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Alaska Department of Education & Early Development, Alaska Native Knowledge Network, Borough of Land Management, Discovery Southeast, Friends of Creamer’s Field, North Slope Borough School District, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Public Lands Information Center (NPS).
Join in the Planning Effort
ANROE is organizing the effort and looking for more community leaders (yes, that’s you!) involved or interested in helping connect learners to the world around us to work with them on the development of this environmental literacy plan. It is important for the value and strength of the plan that many diverse perspectives are involved. ANROE invites you to visit the AKELP website and get involved in one of these ways:
- Become a Working Group Member: Join the core group who are committed to the completion of the project. Criteria for selection: ability to make the Plan a priority, geographic representation, professional background in formal education, an understanding of the goals of environmental education, environmental literacy and the Alaska Education Plan and Alaska Content and Performance Standards.
- Become an Advisor: If you cannot attend regular meetings, but want to receive meeting notes or comment on major aspects of the program (e.g. standards for environmental science content, graduation requirements, standards connections, assessment).
- Share your ideas: If you don’t want to formally commit to being a part of this process, you may express concerns, ask questions, or share a great idea.
- Donate: If you would like to contribute to the sustainability of this project, ANROE will be looking for donations for website support and outreach printing to keep communities informed.
- Become a fan of the Alaska Environmental Literacy Plan on Facebook! Stay informed and help us spread the word.
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