Tennessee Brings Outdoors In with Environmental Education

Nashville, TN –Tennessee educators are learning about the role of the outdoors in student learning as the nation celebrates Environmental Education Week April 13-19. Research indicates interaction with nature has a beneficial impact on children’s development. For a list of environmental education activities across the state, visit www.eeintennessee.org.

“A central role of education is to create responsible citizens in our students,” said Susie Bunch, Assistant Commissioner for Teaching and Learning. “Environmental Education teaches students to take pride in and protect their community’s natural beauty.”

Tennessee is hosting an Outdoor Classroom Symposium for educators and parents to share strategies on incorporating the outdoors into student learning. The symposium features sessions on teaching all subjects outdoors; creating and using tools such as weather stations, butterfly gardens, and wetlands; and how to find grant partnerships. “No Child Left Inside,” hosted by the University of Tennessee-Martin, will focus on the importance of unstructured, outdoor play.

“We are pleased to assist in this program to help teachers learn more about the natural world – especially the importance of conservation and pollution prevention,” said Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan. “All of us will reap the benefits as teachers share what they have learned with young people in their classrooms and also with family and friends throughout their communities.”

Information for these two events follows:
• Tennessee Outdoor Classroom Symposium:
Ellington Agricultural Center, Nashville
8:30-4:30 Friday, April 25
• No Child Left Inside:
University of Tennessee-Martin, Boling University Center
8-4 Thursday, April 17

The Environmental Education in Tennessee Web site is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Environmental Education Association in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education and Project CENTS (Conservation Education Now for Tennessee Students).

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.