Environmental Education: Theory and Practice, 2018
by Anthony J. Sadar
In this month's EM, we consider environmental programs with a focus on air and waste management. We touch on the coursework, field experiences, and internships related to such programs, and consider opportunities in environmental education.
In the first article, Professors Mingming Lu, Margaret Kupferle, and Tim Keener describe a comprehensive undergraduate program that incorporates the theory and practice of environmental engineering in a five-year program at the University of Cincinnati. Students participate in three to five co-op work semesters where they get real-world experience and develop valuable work relationships that can come in handy after graduation.
Inspiration and preparation for environmental practice can be nurtured before college, as exemplified in the second article by Allison Guerette, the Campus Sustainability Coordinator at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA. The author describes how high-performing, green new schools and sustainable renovations promote environmental education.
Last, but not least, I review high-school Advanced Placement Environmental Science course materials and look at somewhat atypical resources for environmental education. Specifically, does the AP coursework, available through the College Board, prepare students for college-level environmental science classes and properly introduce them to real-world practice in the field? And, what are some of the resources and techniques available to expand student understanding and appreciation of the environmental profession?