The Development and Implementation of a Continuing Education Curriculum in Environmental Education

Abstract
Interdisciplinary, hands-on, investigative learning opportunities are central to environmental education. While many instructional methods are useful, there are some that are particularly well suited to environmental education content. In preparing my series of adult education seminars, I was guided by the essential approaches to environmental education instruction described by the North American Association for Environmental Education. These include hands-on observation and discovery in the environment, inquiry, cooperative learning, community-based action research and problem solving, investigating environmental issues, and project-based learning. For my senior project, I developed and taught four classes to members of the New London community: 1) Landscape design: Creation of the ever-blooming garden, 2) Trees and shrubs of south-eastern Connecticut, 3) Spring has sprung: Edible plants in your backyard, and 4) Natural crafts. Environmental education should begin close to home, encouraging learners to explore and understand their immediate surroundings. I started each class with a lecture on the selected topic, emphasizing environmental conservation, and then we went outside to actively engage the learners in projects and activities. The classes concluded with an overview of available opportunities and resources to further their education.