EEI: An Unprecedented Initiative to Increase Environmental Literacy
With the California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI), the vision of increasing environmental literacy is becoming a reality. The EEI Curriculum was created to serve the primary and secondary classrooms of more than 1,000 school districts serving over 6 million students throughout California. The EEI resulted from an
unprecedented 2003 California law, [AB 1548 (Pavley, Chapter 665, Statutes of 2003-PDF) and AB 1721 (Pavley, Chapter 581, Statutes of 2005-PDF)], which mandated the creation of a K-12 curriculum that teaches students about their relationship with the environment — while teaching select academic standards in Science, History-Social Science, and English Language Arts. Features of the EEI Curriculum
• State Board of Education approved
• Increases environmental literacy
• Comprised of 85 curriculum units for students in K-12
• Standards-based, environment-based lessons
• Teaches Science, History-Social Science, and English Language Arts
• Tested by teachers, reviewed by experts
• Teaches academic standards through an environmental lens
• California-specific content makes the academic standard relevant to topics that students can relate to
• Lessons align to adopted instructional materials commonly in use in California schools — it’s easy to know where to use the EEI lessons as replacement instruction
• Includes visually stunning photos and maps designed for the EEI Curriculum by the National Geographic Society
• Learning extension sections link teachers to other resources to explore topics further
With 85 content-rich curriculum units providing lessons for kindergarten through 12th grade students, the EEI Curriculum is easy for teachers to incorporate in their classrooms. They can use the EEI instead of portions of their current textbooks. It was approved by the California State Board of Education in 2010, so educators know that, in addition to engaging students, the EEI Curriculum is academically sound. Uses Unique Environmental Principles and Concepts to Teach Standards to Mastery
The EEI Curriculum is based on a unique set of Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs) that were developed by more than 100 scientists and technical experts to help students understand how they influence the environment and the environment influences them. The EP&Cs examine the interactions and interdependence of human societies and natural systems. The EP&Cs include:
1. People depend on natural systems.
2. People influence natural systems.
3. Natural systems change in ways that people can benefit from and can influence.
4. There are no permanent or impermeable boundaries that prevent matter from flowing between systems.
5. Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are complex and involve many factors. Building 21st Century Workforce Skills
Leaning individually and in teams, with California-specific examples and case studies throughout the grade levels, students and teachers benefit from valuable connections to local resources, which are included in the design of every EEI Curriculum unit. The EEI also helps students build essential 21st Century workforce skills, including critical thinking, sound decision making, effective problem solving, collaboration, and communication. EEI Focuses on 15 Environmental Topics
Lessons throughout the 85 curriculum units focus on a wide range of today’s important environmental topics, which spiral throughout the grades:
Air
Climate change
Energy
Environmental justice
Environmental sustainability
Fish and wildlife resources
Forestry
Integrated pest management
Integrated waste management
Oceans
Pollution prevention
Public health and the environment
Resource conservation and recycling
Toxics and hazardous waste
Water
These environmental topics cover information that affects the daily lives of students, their families, and all residents of California. The EEI Curriculum lessons help students answer the “why should I care?” question because they foster understanding of topics of broad concern, such as global climate change and resource conservation. Another example includes students learning about the complicated decision-making process related to the distribution of California’s water — not just that it’s wise to turn off the tap. The EEI materials help students better understand how they influence the environment and how the environment influences them. As a result of experiencing EEI, students are better informed when they make choices that affect their own health and the future of a healthy environment. More importantly, the EEI Curriculum encourages critical thinking that lets students reach their own conclusions, rather than advocating a particular agenda. Partners Making the EEI Curriculum Possible
The California EEI Curriculum is made possible by an active public/private partnership managed by the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). The California Department of Education, a long-term partner in the development of the EEI, continues to support the implementation of the curriculum throughout California schools. The EEI has received developmental support from well-respected organizations, such as the National Geographic Society and Heal the Bay of Santa Monica, California, and continues to receive support for implementation from corporations, individuals, and foundations, including the Annenberg Foundation/Annenberg Learner and the Sempra Energy Foundation. Today Forward
Having completed several years of development, extensive field testing in schools throughout California, and approval by the State Board of Education, the EEI Curriculum is now in use in many California classrooms. Teachers and school administrators are united in their excitement about the EEI Curriculum, which is available online to more than 150,000 teachers in the state, serving 6.2 million California students. (See the units on our website at www.CaliforniaEEI.org.) However, educators and students are not the only ones impressed with this new standards-based, environment-based curriculum. The EEI has also generated tremendous interest from parents and businesses who see the curriculum as a useful tool for preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders. These businesses and industries recognize that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive, but most go hand-in-hand. The EEI Curriculum meets the challenge to prepare students to make informed decisions about California’s future. Help Bring the EEI Curriculum into California Classrooms
If you are interested in supporting this exciting curriculum, here are ways to get involved:
• Like us on Facebook.
• Support your local schools — tell teachers and administrators about the EEI Curriculum and encourage them to use it in their classrooms.
• Partner with Cal/EPA to provide financial support for EEI implementation.
• Learn how you can invest in the EEI and build awareness in your local community by visiting us online at www.CaliforniaEEI.org.
