Review

The author has introduced thoroughly about an environmental learning and service-learning lesson, the course curriculum will be based on the application of forest ecology concepts to K–12 en... See More

The author has introduced thoroughly about an environmental learning and service-learning lesson, the course curriculum will be based on the application of forest ecology concepts to K–12 environmental education. There are three workshops in this course, the first one is the introduction of the forest, students are going to learn the definition and location of the forest and the characteristics of soil, precipitation, and temperature; and seasonality. The second workshop is rain forest fragmentation, and the theme for the third workshop is environmental education and conservation. Students in this course will also experience hours of field studies and observation, the majority of the studies would be processed in the local rural areas. When it comes to the assessment part, students will be evaluated through their participation, daily reflections, a comprehensive exam, and a unit plan covering forest ecology/tropical ecology content. The article also provides a unit plan format in the end.

Service Learning makes impact in science teaching

The author provided information concerning a service learning course where students went to Costa Rica. The instruction was provided by both local persons and the author. Based on representa... See More

The author provided information concerning a service learning course where students went to Costa Rica. The instruction was provided by both local persons and the author. Based on representative samples provided, the course made a significant impact on students understanding of science and the relationship between science and society in Costa Rica. The article provides significant information that would help to design a similar course and assessment information. I would have liked to have seen students provide application of the learning to situations in the local, US community and a requirement for inquiry lesson plans, rather than old-fashioned vague lesson plans, but the author makes very good points about the benefits of this mode of instruction.