Environmental Stewardship

Part of the mission of Conserve School is to “Inspire Environmental Stewardship” through exploring stewardship ethics, writing reflectively, and learning how to be an environmental advocate. The purpose of this course is to equip you with practical skills such as critical thinking, communication, and knowledge so that you can live as an environmental steward: now and in the future.

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This course explores environmental problems and solutions at the local, national, and global level. In this course you will:

• Explore topics related to environmental ethics, environmental justice, advocacy, sense of place, youth in action and more

• Learn how to be a steward of your future by exploring a variety of environmental colleges and careers through visiting guest speakers.

• Demonstrate your commitment to community by being a steward of our school environment through your participation in Stewardship Seminars and Campus Stewardship Projects.

• Have the opportunity to acquire practical skills in a variety of areas, which may include: trail maintenance, gardening, beekeeping, invasive species removal, maple sugaring and more.

• Develop a “Taking Action Project,” to promote/enhance environmental stewardship in your home community, connecting what you learn here with your future work as an environmental steward.

 

Essential Questions:

• What does it mean to be an environmental steward?

• How can you be an environmental advocate?

• How can you take what you’ve learned here about stewardship and apply it in the future?

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Course Objectives:

After completing the Stewardship course, you will be able to . . .

1. Define basic vocabulary around environmental stewardship.

2. Apply concepts of environmental stewardship to your daily life.

3. Articulate how you will be environmental stewards after you leave Lowenwood.

4. Understand educational and professional opportunities the realm of environmental stewardship.

5. Learn about and practice reflection.

6. Participate in community stewardship activities, demonstrating a commitment and responsibility to community and an interest in serving others.

7. Plan an environmental project to implement in your home community.

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Grading Guidelines:

 

This course is graded using a weighted category grading system. The categories for grading include:

 

Individual Taking Action Project 35%

• Workbook

• In-Class presentation

• Symposium

 

Class Taking Action Project 10%

• Participation

• Reflection

 

Heroes Presentation 5%

 

E-Portfolio 20%

• Home Page

• Middle Assignment

• Final Thoughts

 

Discussion/Class Participation/Homework       20%

 

Campus Stewardship Projects (7) 5%

 

Stewardship Seminars (7) 5%

 

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Grading Category Definitions:

 

• Individual Taking Action Project (35% of final grade): The Taking Action Project is a keystone experience of your time in the Conserve School program.  For your Taking Action Project you will research environmental issues in your home community, then develop, plan and implement a project that furthers environmental stewardship in your home community.  Some examples of past projects include: implementing a garden education program at school, starting a composting system at home, petitioning the city for the installation of bike lanes, advocating for cleaner water, and creating a school-wide initiative for the use of reusable water bottles.

 

• Class Taking Action Project (10% of final grade): The Class TAP is an opportunity for our class to define and address a need of Conserve School and work together on a project that will benefit the community.  It’s an opportunity to collaborate with your classmates to plan a project, identify and contact key players, create a budget, plan your time, implement your plans, and present your work.  This project will mirror the structure of your individual TAP and (hopefully) prepare you for some of the challenges you may face planning and implementing your personal project.

 

• E-portfolio (20% of final grade): E-portfolios are a means for you to reflect on your journey at Conserve School as an environmental steward, an opportunity for you to reflect on the importance of stewardship and how you can be an environmental advocate now and in the future. In addition to promoting personal growth, creating e-portfolios will help you as you prepare for college and/or your careers.  You can use your e-portfolios as material for your college applications, and outstanding e-portfolios are recognized with college scholarships.

 

• Heroes Presentation (5% of final grade): An effective way to develop ambition for the future is to look to the past. In order to gain a clearer vision for your goals in environmental stewardship, you will present on the work of a past environmental advocate. This presentation will include background information, an overview of the advocate’s work, and an outline of how this advocate’s work can be applied to your own Taking Action Project.

• Campus Stewardship Projects (5% of final grade): Campus stewardship includes work-based service projects done on Conserve School’s campus that support our community and have an environmental stewardship focus. These are considered an extension of the Stewardship class. The Campus Stewardship Projects are led by the Stewardship teachers and involve projects such as: beekeeping, gardening, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and more. You are expected to participate in at least  7 Stewardship Projects throughout the semester.

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• Stewardship Seminars (5% of final grade): Stewardship Seminars are educational opportunities to further enhance topics studied in the Stewardship course. These are considered an extension of the Stewardship class. The seminars are led by the Stewardship teachers and involve activities such as: watching an environmental documentary, learning to make green cleaning products, a discussion on an environmental writing, and more.  You are expected to participate in at least  7 Stewardship Seminars throughout the semester.

 

• Discussion/Class Participation/Homework (20% of final grade): This is NOT a lecture course. This is a small group / workshop / laboratory / playgroup. Reflection is an integral part of your experience in the Stewardship class and the semester program overall. Our class time will be devoted to discussions, writing exercises, small group collaboration, and peer response. Your active participation in all of these activities is essential to your growth and the growth of our classroom community.   

COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

 

General Expectations

1. We all treat each other with respect.

2. Ask questions when they arise; as others might also have questions!

3. If you feel something is unfair, tell me!  It's important to me to be a resource for whatever concerns may arise during this course.

4. When you are working on the computer, it is expected that you will be on task and working on the current assignment, with no other distractions.

5. I strive to create a friendly, engaging, and fun learning environment for students. Therefore, you are invited to participate actively in class. Participation should take the form of respectful, on-topic interactions with both peers and teachers. During class time, you are expected to stay on topic, and on task.

6. Please come to class prepared and be ready to participate actively on a regular basis. You are always expected to make your best effort. You are expected to take and demonstrate responsibility for your own learning. You are strongly encouraged to ask questions and to seek my help should you ever feel confused or uncertain or are concerned about the material or your grade. You are also encouraged to provide me with constructive feedback and suggestions. This is your class and we here to help this be a rewarding experience!

 

Guest Speakers

1. Speakers volunteer their time and expertise. Please be attentive and respectful.

2. We expect and encourage you to ask thoughtful questions during the presentation.