Education

Deschooling

Every day young people leave school because for some reason it doesn't work for them. Some people leave school because school makes them feel like a failure. They become convinced they are inherently stupid and don't think that more years in school will help them to become more intelligent citizens. Other people leave school because they don't like it and think they can find better, more creative...

Do It Green! Minnesota Resource Center

As the green living movement is growing in Minnesota, so is the need to obtain resources, information, expert advice and to have a space to network and connect with community members.

Eco Day Camp

In an effort to raise awareness about waste reduction issues, the Carver County Historical Society (CCHS), offers eco-history day camps to train students in grades 3-5 to educate their peers regarding environmental issues. Students discover what they can do to keep the environment healthy, learn about eco-history through trips, speakers, and hands-on activities, explore the past through oral...

Eco History: The Life Cycle of Recycle

Reduce, reuse, recycle. We have known the old adage since grade-school, seen the triangular-shaped symbol on the bottom of plastic containers, and have even crushed soda cans and brought them to our local supermarket’s parking lot. A century ago, however, waste not, want not was the mindset. How much do we really know about environmentalism today, and how do our efforts compare to those of the...

Educate Is an Active Verb

Education: my high school Latin reminds me that at the root it means to "draw out," to "bring forth." Much of American education has been, until recently, the near opposite: to "pour in," to "fill up." Whether we consider students to be empty or full is a critical decision for every teacher to make, for it affects our approach dramatically. If we regard students as essentially empty, or in need...

Environmental Education in the City

In the heart of the sprawling Twin Cities metro area, there exist many well-hidden green spaces where you can join other area residents on a full moon canoeing excursion, feed wildlife, help biologists with animal field studies, take a class on Giant Cecropia Moths, or learn about gardening with native plants. These activities comprise just a brief sample of the environmental education events...

Fighting Commercialism in Schools

The commercialization of public education is the manipulation of education to make a profit. It sounds pretty messed up, and believe me, it is, but you don't have to take my word for it - look around your school. Do you see soda machines lining the hallway? Channel one monitors looming over every classroom? Proud Nike executives slapping their logo on every talented soccer/football/basketball/...

Green Educational Materials

Here are some resources for teachers or presenters that are looking for materials on environmentalism or sustainability. Consider enhancing your curriculum on these important issues.

Healthy Schools Projects

Three Minnesota schools reduce pollution and save energy and money. Houston Public Schools in southeastern Minnesota, Pine Point Elementary on the White Earth Reservation, and Hutchinson High School took part in a recently finished pilot project to develop a healthier, more sustainable work and study environment in schools. These schools were part of a grant to the Minnesota Pollution Control...

Other Resources to Get Your Hands On

The Twin Cities Green Guide covers many issues dealing with "green" living, sustainability and healthy communities. We feel we have covered all the important topics that are connected with these issues.

Radical Librarians

The idea of a radical librarian, or the library as a radical place, may seem odd to some. People often think of librarians as nice, helpful people or as middle aged women with reading glasses and tight hair buns who shush noisy patrons. But the idea of a librarian or a library as a radical person or place is not usually brought to mind. Yet the modern public library came into existence as the...

Take the Next Step: Higher Education

With resource conservation, sustainability and green living on many people's radar, it is no surprise that colleges are offering degrees and classes in these areas. Here is just a local sampling. Whether you are fresh out of high school looking to learn how to create a more sustainable society or you are ready to change careers or further your knowledge in these areas, there is a school or class...

The Info on Minneapolis Infoshops

As Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon.com and the like swell rapidly in size and domination of the book world, independent booksellers and infoshops grow in importance to the health of our community. In the past few years, mega-chains like as those listed above have tightened their stranglehold on the book-buying market by offering internet convenience and bottom-line prices.

Who Is Teaching Your Child?

Do parents in Minnesota want their children learning about climate change from the American Petroleum Institute (a powerful coalition of oil, gas and energy interests who favor increased fossil fuel use) or getting information about forest issues from Project Learning Tree (funded by the most notorious “clear cutters” on planet Earth)? If the answer is no, they should read on with great interest!
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