EcoSTARS II
For more information, contact Dr. Linda Distad
lsdistad@stkate.edu
exerpted from an article by Julie Michener
August 20, 2008 - Congratulations to
Education Department faculty members Linda Distad, Lori Maxfield and Ken Vos and Associate Dean of Education Tony Murphy, who have received two grants to expand the successful EcoSTARS program into two Twin Cities inner-city elementary schools. The Jeffers Foundation has awarded the College of St. Catherine a $13,520 grant and the HB Fuller Company Foundation has awarded a two-year $25,000 grant.
The EcoSTARS program is a unique environmental education collaboration with elementary with elementary school teachers, elementary students, and St. Kate's education majors
. The St. Kate's education department and five elementary schools in the Prior Lake-Savage School District have collaborated on the project the past two years. In EcoSTARS II, St. Kate’s will expand the program into two urban elementary schools, Crossroads Science School in St. Paul and Northrop Elementary School in Minneapolis. The project will also continue in the Prior Lake-Savage School District.
EcoSTARS helps teachers develop new techniques to teach science and to integrate environmental education across the curriculum. The unique project trains current teachers and teachers-in-training to use the Global Learnings and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program.
Both St. Kate’s education majors and current elementary school teachers receive extensive training and support in using science in and out of the classroom during the project. In addition, St. Kate’s students receive mentorship and practical student teaching experience.
Since Fall 2006, nearly 1,000 elementary students in the Prior Lake–Savage School District have increased their knowledge in science and environmental stewardship through fun, hands-on, interactive science activities.