July 2008 — News
Print this article | Email this articleClick here to receive your FREE subscription to T.H.E. Journal
Environmental Initiative Challenges K-12 Students To Develop Green Solutions
|
|
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has teamed up with Discovery and the Siemens Foundation to launch a new initiative called the "Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge." The initiative calls on K-12 students to develop green solutions for their schools, homes, and communities.
The initiative comprises several components, including introducing students to concepts in sustainability, educating students on environmental issues, building up STEM skills, and, eventually, connecting students with scientists to tackle environmental challenges through real-world projects.
"The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will engage science teachers and allow students the opportunity to think like scientists, learn more about key environmental issues, and to develop critical-thinking skills that will help them to make informed decisions regarding stewardship of the planet," said Gerry Wheeler, executive director of NSTA, in a statement released this week.
Different strategies and components are introduced at each grade level as follows:
- My Classroom for grades K-2, in which students are introduced to basic concepts;
- My School for grades 3-5, in which students employ STEM skills to make their schools more green;
- My Community for grades 6-8, in which students are asked to tackle green issues on the community level; and
- My World for grades 9-12, in which students are given the chance to connect with scientists to tackle green issues on a global scale.
The We Can Change the World Challenge will launch in September. It will kick off with a middle school competition that challenges students to identify, explore, and research an environmental issue in their community and come up with recommendations for addressing the issue. For the challenge, the middle school students will work in teams and compete with other students across the United States.
The challenge will expand to the elementary and kindergarten levels in 2009 and to high schools in 2010. Organizers are providing state-aligned learning materials for the initiative. The exact nature of awarded to be offered has not been announced.
