Urban Fifth-Grade Students’ Ideas About the Local Environment, Environmental Stewardship, and Science-Related Careers

• In Event: Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Environmental Learning, Knowing, and Action-Competence in Children and Youth

Abstract

This NOAA-funded study examines urban fifth grade students’ ideas about the environment, environmental stewardship, and careers in science after the implementation of an environmental education curriculum. The study population is 89% African American and consists of 1277 students from a large urban school division located near the Chesapeake Bay. A literacy activity involving students’ written responses to a writing prompt on five different posters was administered. Major findings include: scientists working together for altruistic reasons, ideas of varied ways science will be involved in non-traditional science-related careers and current jobs (i.e. chores), a strong focus on the individual as opposed to corporations, and almost equally frequent reporting of influences from environmental education curriculum and non-formal sources.

Authors

• Daniel L. Dickerson, Old Dominion University

• Stephanie J. Hathcock, Old Dominion University

• Eileen Hofmann, Old Dominion University

• Craig O. Stewart, The University of Memphis

• Sueanne Elizabeth Mckinney, Old Dominion University

• Petros Katsioloudis, Old Dominion University

• Laura Nelson, Portsmouth Public Schools