A Curriculum Project for Estuary Education: Strengthening Connections to Place

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to develop curriculum that fills gaps in high school education materials through the creation of experiential science education lessons that teach estuarine ecology intended to foster a sense of place and nature connectedness with students. The objective for this curriculum was to develop two units that can be utilized in various wetlands and estuary ecosystems as well as be adjusted for the experience level of participants in addition to the educator’s level of knowledge on the local environment. These units incorporate experiential and project-based learning methods that center learning in the participants local wetland or estuary environment. The goal of incorporating these two concepts was to deepen participants understanding of wetland ecology, strengthen their connections to place, and develop their sense of identity as it relates to the environment.