Innovative Environmental Education Curriculum Launched for Local Students
Friday August 30, 2024
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The California Coastal Commission Whale Tail Grant Program has funded the development of a new environmental sustainability curriculum that will be implemented this fall at Camp KEEP’s Ocean and By the Sea campuses. Developed in collaboration with KCSOS’s STEAM department, with additional support from state-wide environmental education leader Ten Strands, the initiative introduces a completely updated curriculum that focuses on local student environmental experiences, environmental justice, and climate change. Lessons are aligned with California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), while integrating key ELA and math standards.
By empowering teachers with a curriculum accessible and responsive to student needs, we can ensure that students are prepared for their week at KEEP and can apply what they have learned back in their communities.
— KEEP Ocean Naturalist Meghan Michel
KEEP Ocean Naturalist Meghan Michel, who secured the grant, says this initiative is a significant step towards fostering environmental stewardship and sustainability among students, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental challenges.
Free environmental and climate literacy online trainings for teachers to support the curriculum will be offered on the following dates
- Thursday, September 5, 2024, 3 – 4:30pm
- Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 3 – 4:30pm
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 3 – 4:30pm
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 3 – 4:30pm
To register, visit https://kern.k12oms.org/.
Teachers may also reach out to memichel@kern.org for more information.
By Robert Meszaros
Rob Meszaros is Director of Communications for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, where he has served since 2012. In his role, Meszaros oversees media relations, internal and external communication strategies, publications, Marcom, branding, and multi-media content creation. Before joining KCSOS, Meszaros was the PIO for CSU Bakersfield and earlier worked for seven years at The Bakersfield Californian.