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Choosing a Course: Education

 

EARTHKEEPERS PROGRAM WORKSHOP

 

This one-day workshop includes an overview of the Earthkeepers program for 10-11 year olds, participation in outdoor activities from the program, and strategies for implementation and integration into the school curriculum or youth group. Most of the workshop is held outdoors. Short indoor sessions focus on introducing the program, processing outdoor activities, and reviewing the implementation of the program back at home and school. eartkeepersEarthkeepersis an internationally acclaimed program developed by The Institute for Earth Education. Its goal is to turn out youngsters who possess basic ecological understandings and good feelings about this planet and its life. The time spent learning the concepts and developing the feelings is only the beginning or “springboard” experience. There are specially designed activities to be completed back at school and home which are integral to becoming an Earthkeeper. At each crucial step throughout the program the participants earn keys that unlock special boxes revealing the secrets to becoming an Earthkeeper. This, along with a special organizing pattern, helps to reinforce and encourage continued learning. Earthkeepers is an intense experience for both leaders and learners, but it is an experience that has a lasting influence on all who participate.

 

During the workshop participants:

  • Learn earth education methods
  • Participate in several adventuresome, fun-filled learning experiences
  • Discover two of the secrets to becoming an Earthkeeper
  • Earn two of their own keys for becoming an Earthkeeper personally
  • Examine some of the props used in the program
  • Review the steps in setting up an Earthkeepers Training Center

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Choosing a Course: Education

 

EARTHKEEPERS LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

 

This workshop is a three-day analysis of the entire Earthkeepers program. We go through the initial Earthkeepers training program, participating in each activity just as the youngsters do, but we stop and process what we are doing as we go. For each program component, such as the opening in “E.M.’s Lab” and activities such as the “Conceptual Encounters,” we look at the physical set-up, props, sequence, important details, etc.

 

EKFor “Connection Inspection,” as an example, we head to the activity site and look first at the physical set-up. We then process the introduction (connection web and scopes) as it is done with participants, followed by processing what we did, looking at important aspects to making it work well, the props, etc. Then we proceed with the activity, but once again, stopping to process the hows and whys. In addition, there are indoor sessions that provide input on important aspects of the program, including sessions on adjustments and modifications, leadership, and props.

This workshop focuses on the details of leading the program. It is designed as professional development for those who have a great deal of experience with the program, and as staff training for those who have little or no experience but will be leading the program.

It is very important that those attending already be familiar with the Earthkeepers program. At a minimum, they must have read the Earthkeepers book.

During the workshop participants:

  •  Learn details not available in the program book and other materials
  •  Find out why program components are included, and why they are conducted in a certain way
  •  Examine props and discuss options
  •  Review strategies for helping the participants earn all their keys
  •  Meet others who are leading or have led the program in other locations and situations

Note: This workshop is NOT intended to introduce you to Earthkeepers or to earth education. It is for those who already lead the Earthkeepers program or are serious about doing so. It is also not a time to bring ideas for changes in the program. We appreciate getting those ideas, but they should be sent to the international program coordinator (programcoordinator@ieetree.org) so they can be passed along to the Earthkeepers Development Team.