ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM
Our groundbreaking environmental justice curriculum is designed to empower students by weaving together civil rights and environmental issues, in order to fill an existing gap in environmental education programs.Â
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Each class will be structured to include short teacher-led instructional learning, project based learning through hands-on activities, a debrief, and reflection time. Â
Our Modules
Environmental and Climate Justice
Includes an introduction to environmental justice, the history of environmental justice, and introduction to civics, advocacy, and social justice. It provides a definition of key terms and an overview of major environmental justice issues. Through this module, students will also learn about local initiatives and strategize on ways they can organize their communities to create meaningful change.
Public and Climate Health
Provides insight into the effect of the climate and environment on public health with special emphasis on local issue areas. It also includes a case study that emphasizes the health burden on frontline communities and community-oriented solutions. Students will learn about two sustainability areas, effective waste management and green living habits, with regard to carrying out daily personal care whilst understanding the impact on the overall environment and their health.
Sustainable and Equitable Land Use
Covers the intersection of gentrification and climate justice, the history of redlining, structural forms of oppression, land valuation, history segregation, and indigenous land struggles. Students will learn about land use through an interactive mapping activity where they will get to uncover environmental racism. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of how politics and law affect their everyday lives, and how they influence local, state, and national policy.
Global Climate Crisis
Provides an understanding of the inequality between the Global North and Global South, and how local issues are mirrored around the world. It also includes a reflection period where students break down and connect global inequalities to better understand their role within their community, and how they will implement their capstone project. Students will also share insights and have help designing and partnering with outside organizations and/or individuals for their project.
Supplementary Activities
Problem-Solving Community Project
Students will decide upon an issue they want to address and spend time creating steps towards a solution.
Guest Speaker Talk
If there is additional funding for guest speakers and/or the school elects to partner with S:E or help with grants, S:E will be able to source guest speakers. Past speakers have included DoSomething's Head of Camapign, Genisha Metcalf, who spoke to students about using their perspective and story as a strength in fighting for social justice, and Van Cotrlandt Park Alliance's Environemntal Education Manager, Sara Kempton, who spoke to students about the importance of green spaces, conservation, and gardening.
Field Trip
Students will participate in methods and modes of field analysis used by biologists and research ecologists working in urban freshwater and forest ecosystems, and learn about gardening and stormwater management at Van Cortlandt Park.
School Garden
The students will plan, build, maintain a school garden with fresh fruits and vegetables.