Education in Action

Education in Action is a semester-long, problem-based initiative with the mission of fostering in students a sense of community, inspiring critical thinking, and teaching the process of citizen action. Students study a regional environmental issue by assuming a stakeholder position and collaborating on a list of policy recommendations on the issue (which will later be presented to leaders in their community). Issue background knowledge is fostered both in the classroom and through a residential outdoor education experience at Keystone Science School.  Following a community presentation, students participate in a service learning opportunity which is also open to the involved community.

Each program is custom-designed to meet specific school and student needs. Here’s a sample plan:

Part I – Classroom Exercises
Classroom teachers choose from a selection of environmental issues, and Keystone Science School provides them with activities, materials, and training relevant to the chosen issue. Teachers guide students through activities that provide background on the issue and its stakeholders.

Part II – KSS Experience
In order to gain an even deeper understanding of the issue, students travel to the Keystone Science School campus to participate in a student-designed research project and hands-on field based activities led by professional KSS instructors. The experience culminates in a student-led “town hall meeting” at which they draft a list of policy recommendations on their issue.

Part III – Community Presentation
Returning to their classroom, students continue working to develop a summary of their lessons and experiences, as well as their drafted policy recommendations, which are then publicly presented to leaders in their community. Students have the opportunity to be involved in as much or as little of the community presentation as they wish; tasks include designing a community presentation schedule, creating a press releases and invitations, designing a presentation slideshow, or speaking to the public.
   
Part IV - Service Learning
Students can enhance their academic learning while developing citizenship skills by participating in a real-life service learning project. The project can be a student-designed service learning opportunity or a prearranged experience with a local non-profit service organization.

For more information, please contact Dave Miller