Abstract
Can environmental education goals be incorporated into the National Science Education Standards?
Highlights
In 1996, the National Research Council published a document entitled the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council, 1996)
While use of this document is not mandated for high school teachers or school curriculum coordinators, it is arguably the most comprehensive and integrative document about how and what we teach in science
While the science standards have a significant degree of acceptance in the K-12 schools, environmental education (EE) has had significant opposition to its inclusion in traditional education
Summary
In 1996, the National Research Council published a document entitled the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council, 1996). This document was the end product of years of work by representatives from all major disciplines in the teaching and learning of science. One look at a sampling of environmental education focused curriculum will show students engaged in all major science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics. Sanera claims educators should be teaching students scientific facts about human impact on resources rather than generalizations based on incomplete research and evidence. Some energy-based companies claim that EE is showing just one side of the story regarding environmental problems and have started to create and implement their own EE school curriculum. As a teacher or curriculum coordinator where environmental education is a part of the existing curricula, it will be important to understand what EE is and where the components of environmental education can be found in the national science standards. A series of questions will be used to help guide the review of the standards with regards to EE including: Is EE found in the standards? What teaching processes are consistent between both standards? What content is common between both standards? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the standards with regard to EE?
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