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What is eii?

  • A process of teaching and learning
  • Experiential teaching and learning
  • A model of thematic instruction
  • Teaching ecological concepts by integrating disciplines
  • An analysis of issues
  • Responsible environmental action
  • Development of teacher/leaders
  • Aligned with the Iowa Core Standards
  • A great example of the Iowa Core’s Characteristics of Effective Instruction
  • Inquiry based

Current Program Information - 2022-2023

Environmental Issues Instruction (eii) and Upper Iowa University presents:

Nourishing Our Water and Soil Through Sustainable Agriculture

This is an interdisciplinary, undergraduate or graduate level college credit course for all teachers PK-14 and other environmental educators.

Receive two college credits for a total cost of $275. This includes the college credit, food, lodging, and teaching materials. This is made possible by grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA), Resources Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program, (REAP-CEP), and Upper Iowa University.

  • A workshop will be held April 14-16, 2023 at the Marshalltown Hampton Inn and Suites, with a Zoom update session, Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Issue: Should water and soil quality be considered when making decisions regarding land usage?

The Eii model utilizes:

  • Next Generation Science Standards
  • STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Project-Based Teaching and Learning
  • Framework for K-12 Science Cross-Cutting Concepts
  • Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning
  • Iowa Core Characteristics of Effective Instruction
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • The Learning Cycle/5E’s

Thematic Integration of:

  • Environmental Education
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Mathematics
  • Reading
  • Social Studies
  • Language Arts
  • Fine Arts
  • Physical Education

Course: EDU 461/561: Environmental Issues Instruction: Nourishing Our Water and Soil Through Sustainable Agriculture

Two hours of undergraduate or graduate credit from Upper Iowa University

Course Expectations:

  • Attend two sessions-initial and update:
  • Modeling of instructional levels
  • Sharing the teaching experience
  • Develop and teach unit between initial and update sessions
  • Give evidence of student action
  • Administer student assessment (pre-post)
  • Prepare written report of experience

Instructional Model:

  • I – Issue Analysis
  • II – Ecological Foundations
  • III – Energy Issues
  • IV – Responsible Environmental Action

Instructional Support:

  • Resource materials for integrating disciplines
  • Provide consultation and materials for action projects
  • E-mail and telephone contacts

Institutional Support:

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • REAP-CEP (Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program)
  • Upper Iowa University-Andres Department of Education
  • Iowa State University Extension Education
  • Iowa Farm Bureau
  • Izaak Walton League

Granting Agencies

Supported by grant funding from:

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Iowa Resource Enhancement and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP)
  • Upper Iowa University.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Barbara Ehlers
Associate Professor of Education (2010)
[email protected]
(563) 425-5322
B.A., Wartburg College
M.A., University of Northern Iowa
Ed. D., University of Northern Iowa

Previous Themes

 

2018-2020

  • Water Connects Us All

2016-17

  • Food, Farming, and Climate Change

2015-16

  • Soil: The Earth Beneath Our Feet

2014-15

  • Energy Systems of the Prairie

2013-14 

  • Preserving and Protecting Our Water Resources

2012-13

  • Wildlife of Prairie Roadsides

2011-12

  • Rain, Runoff, and Rivers: Understanding Watersheds

Prior Years

  • Tropical Rain Forest
  • Global Climate Change
  • Polar Issues
  • Solid Waste Management
  • Feeding the World
  • Ecological Foundations Enhancement
  • Preserving Biodiversity: Endangered Species
  • Valuing Our Wetlands
  • Urban Wetlands
  • Exploring Climate Change
  • Climate Change: Weather, Climate, and Me
  • Feeding the World in a Changing Climate (REDI)
  • Species Loss in a Changing Climate (TEDI)
  • Biomes in a Changing Climate (TEDI+)
  • Forests in a Changing Climate (TEDI III)
  • Iowa’s Tropical Birds
  • Iowa’s Roadside Prairies
  • Iowa’s Roadside Native Communities: Savanna
  • Iowa’s Roadside Native Communities: Wet Prairies
  • Investigating Iowa Prairies

 

eii Teaching Model

Instructional Model:

  • I – Issue Analysis
  • II – Ecological Foundations
  • III – Energy Issues
  • IV – Responsible Environmental Action

Instructional Support:

  • Resource materials for integrating disciplines
  • Provide consultation and materials for action projects
  • E-mail and telephone contacts

Institutional Support:

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • REAP-CEP (Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program)
  • Upper Iowa University-Andres Department of Education

Photo Gallery

Visit our photo gallery on Flickr

Meet the Team

barb-ehlers-21

Dr. Barb Ehlers

Eii Director
Associate Professor of Education, Upper Iowa University

563-425-5322

Jeff-Monteith

Jeff Monteith

Eii Associate Director
K-12 Extended Learning Program Teacher
New Hampton Schools, New Hampton, Iowa

Cathryn-Carney

Cathryn Carney

Eii Associate Director
Education Program Manager - Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation

Kata-McCarville

Dr. Kata McCarville

Eii Instructor
Professor of Geosciences, Upper Iowa University

Paul Skrade_Cropped

Dr. Paul Skrade

Eii Instructor
Professor of Biology, Upper Iowa University