Environmental Education Saves the Day

by: Sarah Haines and Cynthia Kilpatrick

At the start of each school year at Oil City Elementary Magnet School in Oil City, Louisiana, eager students ask, “What’s our theme this year?” This curiosity comes from their expectations that they will study a different environmental concept each year. Kindergarten classes learn to “Be a Friend to the Earth,” followed by life cycles in the first grade, and continuing through forestry, aquaculture, horticulture, meteorology, and finally habitats in sixth grade. This environmental science focus has not only increased enrollment and produced dramatic increases in test scores but also brought national recognition to the school and staff.

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Type Journal ArticlePub Date 4/1/2007Stock # sc07_044_08_42Volume 044Issue 08

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