Missouri Environmental Education News: October 2024
Welcome to the lastest edition of MEEA's Newsletter
Table of Contents
- Feature Article
- Lesson Resources
- Annual Conference & Professional Development
- Featured Events, Grants, Workshops & Webinars
- JEDIA: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
- Missouri Nature Phenomena
- Green Schools Corner
- News from the Field
Happy October everyone…my birth-month!
October used to be my favorite month because of my birthday (and fall in the Ozarks is still amazing to me!), but now I struggle with the decreasing light and the colder weather. That being said, I’m watching the leaves turn color and fall, hearing the migrating birds as they head south, and looking forward to fall events, all of which are special to experience.
Speaking of fall events! REMINDER, the MEEA Annual conference is so close–November 1st and 2nd in Springfield! More information can be found in this newsletter. And, registration is still open:
Register HERE!
The other big news I’d like to feature this month is that our online eeCourses are now being launched on a regular basis! The next course that will be offered at the end of this month is: Foundations for Teaching Environmental Education. This course is designed to provide educators with the background knowledge and skills necessary to ground future professional learning experiences in the best practices of environmental education (see more details in the PD portion of this newsletter).
Also very exciting, we just finished piloting a brand new course (in collaboration with the Nebraska EE State Affiliate) entitled: Nature & Human Wellness. This course is a deep-dive into the connection with nature that drives our mental and physical health and nature’s impact on the development of the whole person–from child to adult. This course resonates with World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th every year to promote mental well-being, educate the public, and advocate for better mental health services (see the following feature article by Stacey Parker). Research and so many observed experiences show that our connection with nature, even if that just means getting outside more, is good for us. So, let’s go outside and take a deep breath…Nature is calling!
Jamin Bray, MEEA Co-Director
Feature Article: World Mental Health Day
Article submitted by:
Stacey Parker, MEEA Board Member
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10 each year, is a pivotal opportunity to raise global awareness about mental health issues. Established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, this day aims to promote mental well-being, educate the public, and advocate for better mental health services.
Each year, World Mental Health Day has a different theme, highlighting specific issues within the realm of mental health. These themes guide campaigns and discussions, focusing on various aspects, such as the importance of mental health in schools, workplaces, and communities. Recent themes have included mental health in the workplace and the impact of climate change on mental health, emphasizing that mental health is intricately linked to a wide range of social and environmental factors. This year’s theme is “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace”.
See: wmhdofficial.com/theme-briefing-2024
The significance of World Mental Health Day has only grown over the years, especially as mental health has become an increasingly pressing public health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in four people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. Despite this high prevalence, stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental health continue to hinder open conversations and access to care.
Awareness campaigns on this day often include educational workshops, community events, and online discussions, engaging individuals across various platforms. Social media plays a crucial role in spreading awareness, with hashtags like #WorldMentalHealthDay allowing people to share personal stories and resources. This digital dialogue not only fosters connection but also encourages those struggling with mental health issues to seek help, reminding them they are not alone.
Moreover, World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder of the systemic changes needed to improve mental health care worldwide. Many regions still lack adequate mental health resources, with a shortage of trained professionals and limited access to treatment. Advocacy on this day focuses on the need for increased funding, better integration of mental health services within healthcare systems, and policies that promote mental well-being.
In addition to awareness and advocacy, this day is also a call to action for individuals to prioritize their mental health. Simple practices such as mindfulness, physical activity, and connecting with loved ones can significantly enhance mental well-being. World Mental Health Day encourages everyone to take steps, however small, toward better mental health, fostering a culture of care and support.
World Mental Health Day is more than just a day of observance; it is a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggle for mental health awareness and support worldwide. By engaging in conversations, sharing resources, and advocating for change, we can create a more inclusive environment that values mental well-being. Ultimately, this day is an opportunity to promote understanding, reduce stigma, and foster a society where mental health is prioritized alongside physical health, paving the way for healthier communities and a brighter future for all.
Lesson Resources
Annual Conference & Professional Development
MEEA Annual Conference 2024
Join us in Springfield/Southwest Missouri
Conference Theme:
Growing a New Era of Education for Water, Soil and Human Health through Regenerative Practices
Saturday Venue: Darr Agricultural Center, Springfield, MO
- Registration open!! go ahead and Register HERE.
- Mark your calendars–it’s the First Weekend of November (Friday & Saturday Nov 1-2).
- Several exciting pre-conference field trips and workshops are confirmed for Friday during the day.
- Friday evening will include a social with networking opportunities at Wonders of Wildlife.
- The conference planning committee is meeting regularly to plan your event.
Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) from across the state will be super involved throughout the entire event!
for more details, go to the conference webpage: meea.org/professional-development/annual-conference
email us with questions, comments and feedback.
Saturday Schedule is Posted!
Wow, check out the variety of presentations using this link:
moeeaconference2024.sched.com
Launching our next online”eeCourse” this month!
**Watch for more details (fees, registrations, time line, etc) soon via our email “blasts” from MEEA.**
This course is designed to provide educators with the background knowledge and skills in the sound principles of environmental education.
Objectives and Expectations
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain what environmental education is and delineate the five objectives of environmental education.
- List and describe five important factors in creating an appropriate, safe EE learning environment.
- Create recommendations for EE programming that facilitate broad accessibility and are designed to be developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and culturally appropriate for diverse audiences.
- Select and implement appropriate environmental education instructional strategies including relevant assessments.
- Select, adapt, and/or develop effective educational materials based on established principles for EE materials.
**If you are interested in taking this course this time around, feel free to go ahead and contact Jamin Bray at bray@meea.org and we can add you to our list of folks to register.
AND take a look at our course platform and all of the eeCourses : eecourses.meea.org
Featured…
Events
Featured Event Opportunity:
2024 MEEA Annual Conference – Springfield, MO
Growing a New Era of Education for Water, Soil and Human Health through Regenerative Practices
November 1-2, 2024
Grants
Featured Grant:
MEEA Fall Mini-Grants
Fall 2024 Grant Timeline (2 $250 awards STILL available!)
Proposal Deadline EXTENDED!: October 22, 2024
Grant applications may be found at the following link: MEEA Fall Mini-Grants Apply Here
Workshops & Webinars
Featured Workshops:
MDC “Discover Nature Schools” Workshops
Statewide Calendar for upcoming workshops:
JEDIA: Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility
How to make sure Youth are included in MEEA’s mission to
Care, Understand and Act for the Environment?
Here’s one way Teachers can help! Participate in the Youth-led Call-to-Action at MEEA’s Fall Conference!
**Email template:
Subject: Participate in the Youth-led Call-to-Action at MEEA’s Fall Conference!
Dear Students and Environmental Educators,
This year’s Missouri Environmental Education Association Conference will be held at the Darr Agricultural Center on Saturday, November 2. We have set aside 30 minutes to hear from students about your environmental concerns, needs, and priorities. We want to support you!
Please read all the way to the end of this message. You will find a Google Form that needs to be included with your Padlet video submission.
**Making your Padlet video is easy for students of all ages to make! All you need to do is click the link above, follow steps 1-3 in the picture below, then look into your device’s camera and hit “record”!
Students are invited to submit a Padlet video letting us know:
1. The school or city where you are based (no student names, please, as these videos will be made public.)
2. an overview of your program (is it a class?, a club?, a personal project?)
3. Your environmental concern
4. How the adults at the conference can help you:
a. Do you want a change in behavior?
b. Ideas or mentors?
c. Donations of time or resources?
5. Your timeframe, if any.
There is a sample video in the Padlet.
Actual videos should be made by students!
BE SURE TO MAKE A REQUEST. This is a call to action for our attendees!
After your video has been shown, adults will be asked to provide:
- Their Name and email address.
- A list of the projects they wish to support.
Your adult sponsor will be given the names and email addresses of people who would like to help with or receive more information about your project. It will be up to you to reach out and follow up within 2 weeks.
A Google Form (<-that’s the link) must be completed and your Padlet video submitted
by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2024.
ONE FINAL NOTE: If your students can be at the Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield, MO at 4pm on Nov. 2, they can make their presentation in person. Please email Lesli Moylan at moylan@meea.org if you would like to learn more.
Any questions? Reach out to Lesli Moylan at moylan@meea.org
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Participate in our “Call To Action” from students via Padlet and Google Forms. We’ve set aside 30 minutes in the 2024 MEEA Conference schedule for a youth-led Call to Action!, a segment where your young people can present their needs and concerns directly to our attendees in person or via a Padlet video.
PROCESS:
- Identify a current concern or need that could use community support.
- Create a brief video using Padlet. Padlet is super easy to use! (Click the link for submission ideas and a sample video.)
- Submit a Google Form so that we have your contact and project information.
- During and immediately after our “Call to Action”:
- Conference participants will watch our student presentations
- They will use a Google form to denote which projects they are able to support.
- You will be sent the names and email addresses of people who selected your project.
- You will contact them within two weeks (the faster the better) to provide additional information including logistics. This will allow you control over where and how resources are delivered to you
ONE FINAL NOTE: If your students can travel to the Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield, MO at 4pm on Nov. 2, they can make their presentation in person. Please email Lesli Moylan at moylan@meea.org if you would like to learn more.
Nature Phenomena This Month
Green Schools Corner
Oct. 7, 2024
Contact:
Lesli Moylan, moylan@meea.org, 314-368-0500 or
Deborah Rogers Curtis, Ed.D., drogers@mobot.org, 314-577-0225
Photo credit: Forsyth School
Missouri Green Schools Honors 16 Schools for Sustainability Strides
Missouri Green Schools (MGS) today announced its 2024 honorees, recognizing 16 schools for their commitment to improving the health and wellness of students and staff, lowering their environmental impact, and providing place-based education.
“Missouri Green Schools is the newest program in the Show-Me Green Schools suite of programs, and is designed to bridge our entry-level, project-based program with the national recognition program for schools who are green and healthy exemplars. Schools in MGS work on holistic changes that encompass educational programming as well as facilities management. It’s exciting to see schools in all five recognition levels this year, from those that have made an initial commitment to health and sustainability to those that have demonstrated incredible impact over years”, said Lesli Moylan, MGS co-manager.
MGS is a state level recognition and support program co-managed by the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and the Missouri Environmental Education Association. MGS annually recognizes schools for initiatives ranging from designing accessible gardens to establishing diverse Green Teams which foster Whole-School Sustainability.
MGS 2024 Honorees
Seed
- Parkway North High School (Parkway School District)
- The Summit Preparatory School (Independent, Springfield)
Sprout
- Normandy Early Childhood Center (Normandy Schools Collaborative)
- Northeast Middle School (Kansas City Public Schools)
Seedling
- Bridgeway Elementary School (Pattonville School District)
- Chaminade College Preparatory School (Independent, St. Louis)
- Crestwood Elementary School (Lindbergh School District)
- Flance Early Learning Center (Independent, St. Louis)
- Hixson Middle School (Webster Groves School District)
- Patrick Henry Downtown Academy (St. Louis Public Schools)
- Principia School (Independent, St. Louis)
- St. Francis of Assisi School (Independent, St. Louis)
- Saint Teresa’s Academy (Independent, Kansas City)
- Villa di Maria Montessori (Independent, St. Louis)
Sapling
- Nerinx Hall High School (Independent, St. Louis)
Flowering Dogwood
- Forsyth School (Independent, St. Louis)
Seed schools are honored for making a commitment to green and healthy practices, identifying one goal, and completing a baseline self-assessment. Sprout schools are honored for involving school administration, beginning to benchmark and track improvement, and setting goals towards further advancement of green and healthy practices. Seedling schools additionally document the inclusion of nature-based education. Sapling schools additionally document their long term impacts, such as reduction of energy or water usage over a 1 to 3 year period. Flowering Dogwood schools measure consumption of and demonstrate reduction of energy, waste, and water for the entire school and commit to mentoring other schools on their green journey.
Missouri Green Schools will continue to support these 16 schools as they track achievements, set new goals, and strive to make a difference in the lives of their students and staff and in their communities. Interested in learning more about becoming a Missouri Green School or assisting schools in the program? Visit showmegreenschools.org.
News from the Field
12 climate books for teachers and educators
Having lived through the hottest summer on record, students and teachers are back in school for the start of the new academic year. And there, increasingly, the changing climate is a factor in course curricula, classroom pedagogy, and campus operations.
Yale Climate Connections has featured books and reports for educators several times in the past. (See these bookshelves from 2023, 2022, and 2019.) This month’s bookshelf updates those efforts and highlights, in particular, how climate change is reshaping the arts and humanities.
The list starts with the Higher Ed Climate Action Plan released last month by a special task force of the Aspen Institute. Three very different takes on the challenge of teaching climate change follow.
That challenge is then reframed in more general terms by the next two books. The senior director of programs for the National Academy of Engineering addresses climate change as one of several “wicked problems” we must engage if we are to “engineer a better world.” But tackling wicked problems, those deeply entangled with the systems on which we depend, requires abilities that must taught and practiced.
Read the entire article at: 12-climate-books-for-teachers-and-educators
