Grueling hours spent writing lesson plans, arranging schedules and logistics, and purchasing materials鈥攖eaching isn鈥檛 always the most glamorous job. Jaime Bunting, education manager at Pickering Creek 约炮视频 Center in Easton, Maryland, has six years of experience as an environmental educator and expects the hard work associated with the job. She never anticipated, though, that her work would bring her to President Obama鈥檚 home. Earlier this year, she was invited to join about 200 climate change stewards, environmental educators, and students from all over the country at the . The event centered on the role of climate education in a rapidly changing world and featured a panel of high school and college students fighting climate change.
Bunting and fellow Pickering Creek educator Krysta Hougen were invited in recognition of their climate education work, including a curriculum they created and launched in 2014: 鈥淐arbon Footprints, Carbon Sinks and Carbon Stewardship.鈥 The program鈥攄eveloped as part of the yearlong NOAA Climate Stewards Education Project鈥攖aught fifth-graders at Easton Elementary School how climate change affects local wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay area, specifically waterfowl.
The students researched global warming鈥檚 effects on waterfowl habitats; crafted models of Great Egrets, Wood Ducks, and other animals from discarded materials such as milk jugs, juice cartons, and Styrofoam; and created exhibits explaining the importance of native plants as carbon sinks. The class shared their projects at Easton鈥檚 Waterfowl Festival, which draws tens of thousands of visitors.
The curriculum also encourages young people to take action. Students calculate their classroom鈥檚 carbon footprint at the beginning and end of the lessons鈥攊n 2014, every class鈥檚 footprint decreased, says Bunting. Students then sign a pledge to continue reducing their footprint in the classroom as well as at home with their families. Because of the program鈥檚 success, Pickering Creek is planning to implement it in other schools across the county.
Pickering Creek staff has also been working with teachers in Talbot County to incorporate climate change workshops and labs into the sixth grade science curriculum, focusing on wetlands and their role in a healthy environment. The program culminates with a spring field trip to Pickering Creek, where students don rubber boots and plant native species such as sedges, marsh hibiscus, and monkey flower in the center鈥檚 restored freshwater wetlands.
Bunting says she was honored to represent 约炮视频 among the diverse group of advocates and educators who attended the White House event. 鈥淚t is so easy to get wrapped up with what you are doing in your specific community, center, or school,鈥 says Bunting. 鈥淪o it was great to hear about all the wonderful things that are happening across the country.鈥