United States Environmental Protection Agency 903\M-91\001 October 1991 RoQJoti 3 Office of External Affa;rs (3EAOO) <&EPA Education for Environmental Action Annual Report FY 1991 ------- Contents Regional Administrator's Message Environmental Education Program Goals 2 External Action 3 Internal Development 4 Capability Building for EPA Programs in Outreach and Education 5 Recognition for Adult Leaders 6 Regional Networks 7 State Networks 8 Bringing EPA to Youth and Educators 9 Bringing Youth and Educators to EPA 10 Partnerships 11,12 International Programs 13 Deputy Regional Administrator's Message 14 ------- ------- Message from the Regional Administrator In 1987, the Center for Environmental Learning (GEL) was established at the Region 3 Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. GEL, as part of our Office of External Affairs, focuses on promoting environmental education, improving the public understanding of current and emerging policy issues, and increasing opportunities for communication with the academic community and other segments of the public. Public interest in understanding and solving environmental problems is continually increasing. Education is the key to understanding and also the key to the inclusion of the public in achieving solutions to environmental problems. EPA, therefore, has an important role to play in promoting education. On November 16, 1990, President Bush signed into law the National Environmental Education Act (PL 101-619). This Act authorizes the funding of grants and internships and the establishment of a national environmental education training center. These new programs will be additional tools we will have available in this important job. Regionally, we are building on a well-established base. We plan to continue our leadership and expand our partnerships in environmental education. Edwin B. Erickson Regional Administrator ------- ------- Environmental Education Program Goals "Environmental education heightens public sensitivity to the consequences of individual and collective actions, while also preparing future environmental management professionals." President George Bush "Only through cooperative efforts and partnerships mil we be able to accelerate the development and implementation of environmental education programs, individual awareness, and the development of a more scientifically and technically literate workforce." EPA Administrator William K. Reilly People make decisions based on more than what they have learned in a classroom. Region 3's environmental education efforts are not limited to classroom learning or teaching. Partners in continuing environmental education beyond the classroom include: business associations, civic associations, environmental organizations, city, state and federal agencies, and academic institutions. ------- ------- External Action The Center for Environmental Learning actively participates in environmental coalitions, planning committees and conferences. Several examples include: • Philadelphia's Urban Environmental Coalition in developing agency, business, and schools partnerships with the seventh grade classes of various schools resulting in community action projects. • Baltimore's consortium of federal, state, and city agencies presenting a teacher training workshop for urban teachers on pollution prevention in the Bay. • Washington, D.C. working to form a strong network of agencies and organizations to increase environmental education in the D. C. area. • A Virginia state-wide conference - The Second Annual Conference on Environmental Literacy. • The National conference on Environmental Labeling held in Baltimore. • The Sixth International Conference on Solid Waste Management and Secondary Materials. ------- ------- Internal Development A database of mailing lists for regional programs, which can be sorted to 41 specific audiences in each state, (approximately 5,000 entries) A monthly in-house speaker series: Environmental Consumerism Series o A Regional Report on Participation in an International Conference on Environmental Labeling o Good Housekeeping and the Environmental "Seal of Approval" New EPA initiatives o 33/50 Program o Pollution Prevention CEL/Federal Womens Program Series o "Science Education in the '90s: Teach Our Children Well" ------- ------- Capability Building for EPA Programs in Outreach and Education The Center for Environmental Learning, the Environmental Services Division and Women In Science and Engineering members, developed Educational Speakers Kits for the Region 3 Speakers' Bureau. These kits are available to all EPA staff to make presentations to youths and adults focusing on hands-on learning. Kits developed so far are: Pollution Prevention & the Industrial Process Household Hazardous Waste Watershed and Non-Point Source Pollution Public Participation in Environmental Decisions Solid Waste and Recycling Environmental Laws and the Legislative Process Environmental Careers CEL sponsored a workshop for the Regional Adopt-a- School coordinators to "compare workplans" and share experiences. This has increased the visibility of the Adopt-A-School Programs throughout the region while also increasing the spirit of cooperation. CEL and the Non-Point Source Program worked together in defining the communications goals, to move ahead with the states in a similar process. CEL works in conjunction with numerous Region III program staff on multi-media projects. ------- ------- Recognition for Adult Leaders In five years, twenty-seven Regional Administrator's Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education have been presented. Their fine examples are as an inspiration to others. The 1991 award winners are: Media Society of Environmental Journalists: educated journalists on environmental issues. Business Law Firm of Manko, Gold & Katcher: developed an environmental problem- solving exercise that has been incorporated into a major law school's curriculum to teach future attorneys. Academia Alta S. Leary Elementary School: has shown that hands-on activities integrated into all subject areas increase environmental understanding and action. Non-profit The Alliance for Acid Rain Monitoring: has students and citizens monitoring for acid deposition throughout Pennsylvania. Government Virginia State Parks...Your Backyard Classrooms: a unique program with forty multi-disciplinary lessons which teaches educators how to incorporate parks into their curriculum. ------- OUR REGION ri EPA REGIONS V o^a?. Wheeling EPA Region Office Locations WEST VIRGINIA DELA- WARE Richmond DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ------- Regional Networks Advisors: The Center for Environmental Learning Board has been a strong resource and important forum for exchange. New members will be added to the board to keep interest and participation vital. CEL Board Air & Waste Management Association comprises Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay leaders Delaware Nature Education Society from: Franklin Institute Science Museum League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania League of Women Voters of West Virginia Pennsylvania Environmental Council Pennsylvania Resources Council University of Pittsburgh Virginia Council on the Environment Regional EPA Directors and Managers The board members meet formally twice a year to discuss direction for the regional environmental education program. They also make themselves available on an as-needed basis. Each provides information from his own perspective. Their contributions have been important in the development of environmental education programs throughout Region 3. The CEL Board members also reviews the nominations for the annual Excellence in Environmental Education Awards. ------- ------- State Networks Networks Environmental education managers from State Departments of Education, Environment, and Natural Resources from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Focus The network meets twice a year to exchange ideas and to provide updates on legislation and new developments. Featured speakers have discussed EPA's new grants and potential sources of funding from the United States Department of Education. ------- ------- Bringing EPA to Youth and Educators As part of the Presidential Youth Awards Program,information was distributed describing the student award program to 3,000 schools in five states. This year, 1,253 personalized Presidential Certificates were sent to recognize student's projects. At South Philadelphia High School, 15 EPA volunteers sponsored professional staff development workshops for the entire faculty and provided information on EPA issues for a four year curriculum project. Over 100 teachers attended. To encourage quality competition, Women in Science and Engineering and other regional employees volunteered as regional judges at the Delaware Valley Science Fairs. Fair organizers appreciated EPA's expertise and participation. • In August, 1990 a teachers' environmental background kit was created. It has been sent to over 500 classrooms. The contents included EPA materials and references to additional teaching tools. ------- ------- Bringing Youth and Educators to EPA After a presentation by the Center for Environmental Learning Explorer Post #850 was established under the sponsorship of the Black Employment Program Advisory Council, (BEPAC) with Post Advisors. Employees from Region 3 work directly as role models and mentors with high school students. The first year for the Explorer Post was 1990. Students learned first-hand about environmental careers and issues. They created environmental videos by kids- for-kids, planned a camping trip, and created a presentation on recycling. Many of the Explorers returned this year and brought their friends. One of the most memorable activities of the work with our Adopted Schools was Shadow-Day-at-EPA. Forty-five Abraham Lincoln High School juniors spent the day with regional attorneys, secretaries, division directors, cartographers, emergency responders, planners, and many others. Both students and staff ended the day's activities smiling broadly. All involved wish to make it an annual event. 10 ------- ------- Partnerships When groups from the academic community or the general public request EPA's assistance in developing new programs, the Center for Environmental Learning is often able to help. If the proposed project would advance the mission of the Agency, CEL looks for "partners" within the EPA programs whose work has goals and objectives in common with the project. If there are no partners within EPA, we make suggestions to other organizations or agencies that might find the initiative of interest. The Center for Environmental Learning accepts the responsibility for encouraging opportunities where EPA's contributions can make a difference. 11 ------- ------- Franklin Institute Partnership The Center for Environmental Learning has an exciting partnership with The Franklin Institute Science Museum. Regional EPA staff and management: provided ideas that were incorporated into an exhibit which has been seen by a million people introduced the Franklin Institute Future Earth exhibit designer to contacts in EPA Labs for input and photographs commented on a script that was produced and shown as a video at the Futures Center on air pollution solutions participated as role models in the Black Scientists Program advised several Institute projects displayed program exhibits, such as the Radon Program banners attended a "back-stage" briefing and tour of the Futures Center Franklin Institute Staff and Management: provided speakers for the annual Women In Science and Engineering Luncheon, a recent Senior management meeting, and other forums assisted EPA to expand its network served on the Center for Environmental Learning Board This is just the beginning... 12 ------- ------- International Programs The Center for Environmental Learning has acted as host for numerous groups of international visitors. The agendas for these visits generally include technical presentations from Region 3 staff, local non- profit organizations and city agencies as well as visits highlighting Philadelphia historical spots of interest. International guests have given briefings for regional staff. The visitors then have the opportunity to exchange and receive information. Also, interviews with local journalists are arranged, to share our "international links." CEL participated in the Central European Environmental Seminar, and an environmental education conference attended by over 400 students and professionals in Czechoslovakia and recruited a regional expert to advise the Pennsylvania Institute for Service Learning in establishing an environmental study center in Novgorod, USSR. Visitors from countries hosted in fiscal year 1991 included representatives from: People's Republic of China U.S.S.R. Germany Italy EPA Region 3 has developed an International Visitor's Guide to provide orientation to international visitors. 13 ------- ------- Message from the Deputy Regional Administrator No matter how well EPA does its job, we will never be able to maintain clean air, clean water, and the safe disposal of waste without an active and informed citizenry. There are a variety of organizations working to increase understanding and appreciation of our man-made and natural environment. EPA plans to work with these institutions to enable them to understand, communicate, and solve some of the present and future environmental challenges. It is mutually beneficial to work together. No government agency or institution can do the job alone. In 1987, the Center for Environmental Learning was instituted to take an active role with leaders in environmental education, to promote, support, and encourage others to increase environmental understanding. We encourage you to join us. Stanley Laskowski Deputy Regional Administrator ------- ------- Region 3 Center for Environmental Learning 841 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 215/597-9076 Bonnie J. Smith, Director FY 1991 Region 3 Contributors Danielle Algazi Brenda Robinson Joyce Baker Lorna Rosenberg Antoinette Bender Kathy Shelton Elinor Elishewitz Janet Viniski Kimberly Jefferson Donald Welsh Evelyn MacKnight Elaine Wright Region 3 Women In Science and Engineering IN MEMORIUM Robert N. Williams 1933 - 1990 15 ------- ------- |