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SHARING THE ENVIRONMENT (STE): CONNECTING CLASSROOMS ACROSS BORDERS Nadine McHenry, Ed.D. Erika Scarborough, M.Ed. Widener University John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge

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Where would you go? What would you show? Name Email Organization Website Describe the jewel that you would like to share with others in a different place?

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The Story Behind STE SERENDIPITY Sabbatical semester: Research what are the necessary conditions for effective professional development in inquiry-based environmental education? WPCS and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Former student trained in Schoolyard Lab returns to her homeland in Trinidad and is employed by SMCH; linked to AEI

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Project Description Teachers and nature center personnel are trained in inquiry-based pedagogy and technology Participants include: Atwells Educational Institute (Trinidad) St. Marys Childrens Home (Trinidad) Asa Wright Nature Centre (Trinidad) Widener Partnership Charter School (US) John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge (US)

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Objectives Teachers apply inquiry-based strategies to teach environmental principles and facts Teachers apply 5E model of inquiry in the context of digital technology Elementary school children in both countries learn environmental principles in their school yards and on field trips to local nature centers Children use digital technology and share their learning to teach environmental principles to their counterparts in the other country Researchers develop a model for collaborative environmental education based in inquiry-based teaching and digital technology

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Rationale/Impacts Cross cultural collaboration highlights similarities and differences Technology and local resources improve EE Digital methods can be used as motivators Access levels the playing field Teacher preparation in EE is lacking in both settings Critical thinking skills are improved via the 5E model Positive dispositions are developed locally and globally Technological skills are improved Inquiry-based teaching strategies can be used now and in the future Teachers around the world have access to a state of the art model for implementing inquiry-based strategies across international boundaries.

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Implementation: Costs/Digital Needs Connectivity Hardware Expertise Travel Materials

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Questions/Comments Contact information: ncmchenry@widener.edu ncmchenry@widener.edu Erika_scarborough@FWS.gov Erika_scarborough@FWS.gov http://ste.educator.edu http://ste.educator.edu