Public Issues Youth Development and Engagement Project Reports FY08 UMass Envirothon Collaboration
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Project Reports -2008UMass Envirothon CollaborativeProject Leader: Will Snyder The project addressed the following UMass Extension Critical Issues:
DescriptionUMass – Envirothon contributes to the work of promoting informed public participation in land conservation and management in Massachusetts communities. To be effective over the long term, such efforts must include educational efforts, such as Envirothon, aimed at preparing the youth who will be the citizens and volunteer board members in their communities in the decades to come. Another important target audience for Envirothon is the school teachers who work with these youth. With our help, these teachers can offer a multiplier effect in reaching youth, and they may also choose to serve as volunteers on local boards. Envirothon helps young people to grow into competent, caring, capable, engaged, and well-informed citizens who are prepared to contribute to their communities in the 21st century. The project offers well-designed challenges for youth teams and provides adult coaches with background information and community connections that will help them be effective in their work with youth on community issues. The project addresses the following priorities in youth development:
Results SummaryThe collaboration between UMass Amherst and the Massachusetts Envirothon produces several notable educational, strategic, and management outcomes for UMass Extension. Educational Outcomes Community Research. UMass Extension develops the Massachusetts Envirothon Current Issue Curriculum, which challenges youth teams to research community issues thoroughly before engaging in community service projects. This research step provides a solid foundation for how citizens can take effective action, but is too often neglected in community service learning. Each year, teams investigate a different environmental issue in their communities, including how their communities make decisions on these issues, and the most effective ways to address the issue at the local level. Teacher Professional Development. The Massachusetts Envirothon is a resource for teachers who seek to learn about natural resource management and environmental issues, and who want to learn strategies for encouraging self-directed learning in their teams. UMass Extension provides leadership to significant pieces of Massachusetts Envirothon’s work with teachers, including developing background information on the Current Issue and providing workshop opportunities for teachers to interact with natural resource professionals. UMass Extension’s Current Issue Curriculum also encourages positive youth/adult partnerships by focusing teachers’ attention on opportunities for student-led learning. Strategic Outcomes Internal Partnerships. UMass Extension partners with the College of Natural Resources & Environment in sponsoring the annual fall Envirothon team workshop. This event draws more than 200 high school students and teachers to the Amherst campus and provides and opportunity to showcase UMass resources in natural resources education. The University’s Admissions office has had a strong interest in the event, as well. We also look for opportunities to make strategic connections between Massachusetts Envirothon and the UMass Office of Community Service Learning at Commonwealth College. External Partnerships. UMass Extension partners with several agencies of the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs through our membership on the Massachusetts Envirothon Committee. Our leadership of the Envirothon Current Issue and the Envirothon Community Awards extends our visibility as a resource for youth development and science education beyond these agencies to other organizations involved with the current issue each year, and also to local officials and state legislators. Management Outcomes
Planned outcomes and observed or measured progress
Activities, delivery mode and participants reachedMassachusetts Envirothon Current Issue Resources for Teams (curriculum) Massachusetts Envirothon Community Awards Information (curriculum) Fall Envirothon Coaches Workshop Fall Envirothon team workshop at UMass Massachusetts Envirothon winter workshop Judges training for Envirothon Current Issue Massachusetts Envirothon Field Competition Days Massachusetts Envirothon Final Competition
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