California Integrated Waste Management Board

Board Meeting Agenda Item 21

• Overview of the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)

• Latest Accomplishments• Heal the Bay Role and Participation• Overview of the Model Curriculum Plan• Agenda Item 21• National Geographic Society• Closing Remarks & Q/A

Established a partnership of California’s : Environmental Protection Agency Integrated Waste Management Board Office of the Secretary for Education State Board of Education Department of Education Resources Agency

To implement what is called the

Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)

Assembly Bills 1548 and 1721

(Statutes of 2003 and 2005)

Develop Education Principles and Concepts for the Environment (EP&Cs).

Incorporate these EP&Cs into textbook adoption criteria in the four, core subject- matter areas.

Ensure that the EP&Cs align with, and not duplicate or conflict with, any academic content standards.

Develop a model curriculum for K-12.

Align the state’s programs with the EP&C

Mandates

The ultimate goal of EEI is to bring a Model Curriculum, incorporating California's Environmental Principles and Concepts, to every school district in the state.

Goal of the EEI

What is the EEI based on?

Latest Accomplishments

Science Instructional Materials

Reading/Language Arts Framework

Office of Education and the Environment Staffing

Writers, Editors, and Graphic Designers

EEI Team

ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES & CONCEPTS

Environmental Principles and Concepts

The environmental principles examine the interactions and interdependence of human societies and natural systems.

HumanSocial

Systems

NaturalSystems

Interactio

ns

Environmental Principles and Concepts

I. People depend on natural systems – food, forest products and the water purification that occurs in wetlands.

II. People influence natural systems – dams that control water flow.

III. Natural systems change in ways that people benefit from and can influence – nutrients deposited on farmlands by rivers during flooding.

IV. There are no permanent or impermeable boundaries that prevent matter from flowing between systems – fertilizers and pesticides used on lawns can enter the groundwater and affect drinking water.

V. Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are complex and involve many factors – numerous stakeholders as well as economic, legal and political factors must be considered in making decisions.

Principle I — People depend on natural systems

The continuation and health of individual human lives and of human communities and societies depend on the health of the natural systems that provide essential goods and ecosystem services.

As a basis for understanding this principle:Concept a. Students need to know that the goods produced by natural

systems are essential to human life and to the functioning of our economies and cultures.

Concept b. Students need to know that the ecosystem services provided by natural systems are essential to human life and to the functioning of our economies and cultures.

Concept c. Students need to know that the quality, quantity and reliability of the goods and services provided by natural systems are directly affected by the health of those systems.

Environmental Principles and Concepts

MODEL CURRICULUM PLAN

Goal and Purpose of theEEI Model Curriculum

GoalThe EEI Model Curriculum will provide a K-12th grade instructional continuum that helps students master California’s academic content standards and California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts.

PurposeThe EEI Model Curriculum is intended to provide:– an SBE-approved, standards-based curricular materials, that

can be used to teach the EP&C– a K-12 learning continuum aligned to California’s academic

content standards and targeted at helping students achieve mastery of those standards at each grade level.

Quality of theEEI Model Curriculum

The quality of the Model Curriculum must meet or exceed the quality of content, presentation and design represented in the instructional materials that are adopted by the State Board of Education.

Agenda Item 21

National Geographic SocietyScope of Work

• Participation in Model Curriculum development, creative input, and provision of templates and photographs for the Model Curriculum.

• Development and field testing of printed support materials (e.g. maps, posters) for the Model Curriculum.

• Development and field testing of video support materials for the Model Curriculum.

• Promotion of the Model Curriculum.• Internal management participation.• Work plan and timeline development.

Role and Participation

Questions/Answers

Closing Comments

Environmental Principles and Concepts

I. The continuation and health of individual human lives and of human communities and societies depend on the health of the natural systems that provide essential goods and ecosystem services.

II. The long-term functioning and health of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems are influenced by their relationships with human societies.

III. Natural systems proceed through cycles that humans depend upon, benefit from and can alter.

IV. The exchange of matter between natural systems and human societies affects the long-term functioning of both.

V. Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are based on a wide range of considerations and decision-making processes.