 Environmental
Studies Overview -
A Journey of Discovery
The mission
of EEARRTH is to educate and empower our community of learners
and to encourage
appreciation, respect, and personal
responsibility to help the natural environment. “Falling
in love” with special places and animals at High Meadows
and the nearby community, relating nature and environmental issues
to our lives in positive ways, and using discovery learning across
the curriculum and service projects that include Character Education,
are all a part of our journey.
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Discovery learning
is encouraged by some of the “ hands-on” learning
experiences listed below.
Educational activities include: measuring Grandfather Tree after
a forest walk, hunting for insects on a meadow safari, peering
into a microscope by the bog or creek, and digging up fresh produce
from the garden that the children grew from seeds. Children also
sing songs, visit our domesticated animals, write in their journals,
complete art projects, and learn through games.
Service projects have included: solving problems such as erosion
control on the forest path by mulching it and creating wildlife
habitats and a self-guided walking trail map of our beloved Enchanted
Forest. Our Adopt-a-Spot program encourages classes, staff and
families to take ownership and pride in our campus by planting
and caring for a piece of our campus grounds. Our 40-acre campus
has been recognized as a National Schoolyard Habitat.
 Students are involved in the worldwide G.L.O.B.E. (Global
Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) program.
Using our
two weather stations, the younger children volunteer to record
atmospheric data such as rainfall, cloud cover and temperature
and then report it to scientists on the Internet. Middle year students
perform stream testing that is also reported for the Adopt-a-Stream
program.
All students and staff are encouraged to recycle, reduce, and reuse
to save our natural resources. Paper, glass, plastics, metals,
and cardboard are recycled from all buildings. The community is
encouraged to drop off newspaper and household batteries for recycling
at our Recycling Station. Reusable dishes, purchased by SHARE and
ESC (Environmental Studies Committee) are used for many events.
We compost certain food scraps into our organic gardens.
High Meadows is a member of the EverGreen Schools Program. Through
these local and other organizations, High Meadows has been recognized
as a leader in environmental programs. In 2000 we were awarded
Green School of the Year. State and local grants have been obtained
to support our programs. S.H.A.R.E., made up largely of parents,
the Outdoor Education Program and a faculty based ESC (Environmental
Studies Committee) are also important support groups. The ESC conducts
special Arbor and Earth Day events, telephone book recycling, and
is involved in environmental policy recommendations. Parents are
involved in all aspects of the EEARRTH program from volunteering
in the classroom to generous donations of time and funds.
Children come to EEARRTH class once a week Kindergarten - 5th grade.
Middle Years students take Environmental Science mini-courses.
The classroom teachers are seen as the most important environmental
educators. As the Environmental Coordinator, a very important part
of my job is to be a resource to all staff members.
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