Innovating for the Planet Through Environmental Education

(NAPSI)—Here’s something students, parents and teachers in New York and New Jersey may be glad to learn: A group of experts has come up with a way to make environmental education easier for students to understand—and to act on.

This first-of-its-kind effort, called the Environmental Education Initiative (EEI), helps students engage in environment science, and make informed decisions that support healthy environments .

Powered by worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education, the Environmental Education Initiative supports civic engagement with standards-aligned resources that explore contemporary topics in environmental studies.  

Who is Involved?

Experts at Stanford University carefully reviewed a body of academic literature over 20 years to measure the effect of environmental education for K-12 students. Then the National Environmental Education Foundation, Nucor, Honeywell, Itron, LyondellBasell, Subaru of America, Inc., and Niagara Cares all helped create the Environmental Education Initiative alongside Discovery Education.

Why Environmental Education? 

Research by the North American Association of Environmental Education reveals that environmental education helps students: 

•improve overall academic performance 

•enhance critical thinking skills 

•develop personal growth and life-building skills 

What Do the Students Learn?

Topics include energy, forestry, clean water and region-specific content  through Excursion Across America, a series of five animated videos and ready-to-use activities introducing students to regional facts and environmental topics. The accompanying educator resources and activities showcase how students can have a positive effect on the planet. 

Why NY and NJ?

The New York Board of Regents has made education on the environment a requirement for high school graduation. The Environmental Education Initiative  curriculum, which can be integrated into existing courses or be a stand-alone course, teaches students about an array of topics related to the environment.

New Jersey integrates environmental education into K-12 across all subjects (Science, ELA, Math, Arts, etc.) through mandated standards (NJSLS) and resources from the NJDOE and the NJ Climate Education Hub. The state offers professional development workshops and webinars to help teachers integrate concepts including greenhouse effects, sea-level rise, and local effects, sample lessons, and support for districts, aiming to build climate literacy and resilience, preparing students for a clean economy, with initiatives also from groups such as This Is Planet Ed. 

It all leads to a roadmap that helps schools take action, adapt, and educate on climate change. 

How it Works:

Standards-Based: Resources align with NJ Student Learning Standards (NJSLS).

Teacher-Focused: Provides tools (guides, activities, supply kits) for teachers in elementary, middle, and high school.

Community & Resilience: Aims to connect learning to local impacts (like flooding) and build school sustainability. 

How To Get It

All the standards-aligned resources are available to K-12 educators and students at environmentaleducationinitiative.com.

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 "Environmental education helps students: improve overall academic performance, enhance critical thinking skills and develop personal growth and life-building skills."