- Maine Environmental Education Association Offers Workshops to Teaching Community

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Maine Environmental Education Association Offers Workshops to Teaching Community

Alliance Presents Case Study in How Development and the Environment Can Co-Exist

April 29, 2003

WISCASSET, Maine – Teachers, administrators, state officials and environmentalists met last week at he 16th Annual Maine Environmental Education Association’s spring conference.

The conference affords these groups an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience about the best practices and methods of teaching awareness and concern for our environment. The conference, held at the Chewonki Center for Environmental Education in Wiscasset, included over 25 teacher workshops and focused on the challenges and opportunities of teaching to today’s audiences. One of the featured workshops was presented by the Cathance River Educational Alliance (CREA) and detailed their story about how education and development can co-exist and also offered attendees details about how three area teachers have successfully integrating hands-on environmental studies and science into their curriculum.

“Our organization emerged as part of a compromise between Highland Green owner John Wasileski and a group of local environmentalists called Topsham’s Future,” said CREA’s educational director and Brunswick High School teacher Rick Wilson. “I’m proud that we can serve as an example of how development and the environment can co-exist. CREA now has representatives in twelve area schools and by giving students an opportunity to participate in hands-on learning activities we are helping make learning fun. The students, teachers and parents are all excited about this project.”

Topsham and Brunswick students perform their learning activities on a 250-acre nature preserve within walking distance of Mt. Ararat middle and high schools in Topsham. Highland Green owner John Wasileski has created the permanent conservation easement for use by the schools and general public.

During the workshop Mt. Ararat Middle School teacher Gretchen Feiss explained to workshop attendees how she uses a stream field study to observe geological processes. Students in her class learn important science skills like data gathering, developing hypotheses, lab reporting and scientific analysis. “We are very fortunate to have access to this living laboratory. The students are very engaged in the process and are learning important skills,” said Feiss.

Presenter Jeff Davison, director of Alternative Education for Mt. Ararat High School, explained how the water monitoring exercises performed by his students give them a meaningful project and teach them important science skills. Davison’s students are also working with Bowdoin College on water monitoring project.

Mt. Ararat High School science teacher Glenn Evans also presented at the workshop. Part of Evans’ presentation included a description of how he uses the real-life scenario and negotiations between environmentalists, Highland Green developers and recreational enthusiasts as a case study in land management. Evans’ students participate by assuming a role of one of the stakeholders and negotiating with the other students on behalf of their group’s best interest.

“Providing students with an opportunity to perform stewardship – instead of simply studying stewardship – has been the goal of our project. I think we’ve achieved that goal,” said Davison.

To learn more about the Cathance River Educational Alliance or become a member visit www.creamaine.org. For more information about the Maine Environmental Educational Association, go to www.meeassociation.org.

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