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Earth Force IllinoisThe Environmental Education Association of Illinois is excited to be launching a new network for learning in Illinois – Earth Force Illinois. In partnership with Earth Force, EEAI is working to increase access to the resources and learning opportunities provided by Earth Force.
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SITE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION! STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!!!
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Earth Force has developed an educational framework that excels at developing the civic skills that young people need while at the same time deepening students understanding of STEM concepts that is essential for them to be successful in their careers and their communities. All of our programs are designed around this award-winning Community Action and Problem-Solving Process.
Community Action and Problem-Solving Process The Community Action and Problem-Solving Process combines the best of civic engagement, environmental education, and STEM. Youth work together through educator facilitation to design and implement a project to explore root causes and address a policy or practice related to the environmental issue that they identify in their community. Earth Force’s focus on civic engagement helps learners to become active participants in their communities by conducting balanced research, building strong community partnerships, and making decisions as a democratic group. The Process takes students through six steps: Step 1: Discover Community Environmental Inventory Step 2: Decide Issue Selection Step 3: Discover Policy & Practice Research Step 4: Decide Goal & Strategy Selection Step 5: Act Planning & Taking Civic Action Step 6: Conclude Review & Share Educators across the country use the Process to teach science, engineering, math, and humanities to their students. Earth Force Illinois will prepare educators through a blended learning professional development program designed to train and support educators as they help students master science concepts by applying what they learn in the classroom to the problems they find in their communities. EEAI will assist educators in connecting to other local organizations, scientists and environmental experts to assist with issue investigation, project development and project implementation to ensure appropriate connection to local environmental issues. |
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Watch the following video to hear what educators say about the Community Action and Problem Solving Process:
Earth Force has worked with Brandeis University’s Center for Youth & Communities for 17 years to evaluate this educational model. This evaluation allows for consistent high-quality programming that creates considerable value for communities. Over the last several years Earth Force programming has consistently shown impact on students and educators including:
Value to Students: Through the program young people design and implement their own project to address a local environmental issue, gaining hands-on experience in applying what they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations: 91% of students show an increase in 21st Century Skills 84% of students show an increase in understanding of environmental issues 77% of students show an increased interest in science Value to Educators: At EEAI we pride ourselves on providing top quality professional development to educators, the Earth Force Illinois program will be no different, with programs that can fundamentally change how they approach education: 72% of educators say they become more confident in their ability to teach through authentic experiences 88% of educators say they improved their teaching by being aware of community resources 90% of educators say student decision-making and problem-solving skills improved |
Program Evaluation |
Earth Force Illinois will be supported by the national Earth Force team to evaluate local programs and professional development to ensure implementation in Illinois remains at the high level of standards happening in other locations throughout the country.
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The first step to becoming a part of Earth Force Illinois is to participate in an Introduction to Earth Force Illinois professional development course. These courses are offered both virtual and in-person, throughout the year and at different locations throughout the state. Watch this page for updated information on dates, times and registration information for upcoming workshops.
Earth Force Illinois will maintain a network of facilitators that can host a workshop in your area! Check out our Facilitator Page to find someone in your area that could bring this program to your school, organization or community. |