GRANT COUNTY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMTeaching respect for nature, while building mental and moral development

Abstract

Problem recognized: Teaching our youth to be concerned for natural resources is a priority of the Arkansas State Department of Education as well as the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Goal established: Rebecca Thomas pursued and received an Innovative grant to teach natural resources in Science classes at Sheridan Intermediate School. Project Wet and Project Wild curriculum was utilized. The “hands on” labs were the teaching method of choice for this project. Our target audience consisted of 600 students attending SIS. Measurable results,

Third grade participants were able to differentiate among complete metamorphosis, incomplete metamorphosis, and embryonic development.

Fourth grade students are able to generalize that people and other animals share a basic need to have

a home and evaluate the effects on wildlife and the environment as a result of their own energy-use practices. Fifth grade students learned

(1) to identify various factors involved in a wildlife management issue and (2) evaluate alternative in a complex issue involving wildlife components of habitat that are essential for most aquatic animals to survive. Each students involved was encouraged to enroll in the Grant County 4-H Program. To date 239 of the students are enrolled in the Grant County 4-H Program.

Educational Needs

Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in the past decade has required states to create content standards to which their assessments must be aligned in order for states to receives Title I funds. In many cases, the content components of the states curriculum frameworks or guides satisfy this requirement. Contact was made with Sheridan Intermediate School Principal and Assistant Principal to utilize the Cooperative Extension Programming to teach the needed “hands on” labs to meet the guidelines and components of the curriculum frameworks.

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Thomas, R. Extension Agent, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Grant

County, Sheridan , Arkansas, 72150

United States Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, and County Governments CooperatingThe Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Goal 1.To provide “ hands on” labs mandated by Arkansas State Department of

Education 2.Improve ACTAP scores in students at Sheridan Intermediate School.

Objectives

Teach Third grade students to:Classify animals as vertebrates and invertebrates

according to their structure• Differentiate among complete metamorphosis,

incomplete metamorphosis, and embryonic development.

Teach Fourth grade students to: • Classify vertebrates into major subgroup• Classify some invertebrates according to their

structure• Classify electrical conductors and electrical

insulators

Teach Fifth grade students to:• Design food webs in specific habitats• Evaluate food webs under stress conditions• Create ecosystems in which plants can exist without

animals• Compare and contrast potential energy and kenetic

energy to motion

Results

This project is educating 24 classes, including 564 students in the Third, Fourth, and Fifth

grades. The contacts with these 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders have had a multiplier effect on our

county program. This project is educating 24 classes, including 564 students in the Third,

Fourth, and Fifth grades. The contacts with these 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders have had a multiplier

effect on our county program. .

Impacts

We have had students in our school clubs join community and project clubs. Many of these students have recruited siblings to join community clubs, having a positive growth in 4-H Membership. We have reached the proposed goal of a 7% membership of our potential audience.

Embryology Bird houses

Butterfly gardenPollution Education

HabitatsButterfly garden