WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION?
Environmental education is a combination of many disciplines that enables people to become more knowledgeable about the environment and/or skilled in some aspect of environmental quality. However, Environmental Education can also be interpreted to apply to many other situations, meeting many other definitions that apply to the process of learning about the connections between science, technology, economics, policy, people, and the environment. It may be most commonly referred to in reference to the education of youth through interpretive programs at elementary and secondary schools, nature centers, park and community programs, and the like.
Although "attainment of knowledge" may meet the strictest definition of Environmental Education, in most cases, the real goal is to develop responsible environmental behavior and improved environmental quality. In terms of higher education, a complete environmental education enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills, and teaches individuals to weigh various sides of an environmental issue to make informed and responsible decisions. Ideally, Environmental Education does not advocate a particular viewpoint or course of action.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Environmental Education students can expect to take basic courses in a wide variety of environmental subjects, depending on the emphasis of the program they choose. Almost any environmental specialty may contain an Environmental Education component which aims to pass on the knowledge of the field to others. A great many EE programs offer the flexibility for students to create their own course of study, tailored to the specialty that they wish to pursue. Most programs include a broad spectrum of environmental coursework and a core of education-related courses designed to offer the skills necessary to effectively teach others about some aspect of the environment. Specific course we've seen include:
- Human Ecology
- Environmental History and Ethics
- Environmental Systems
- American Literature of Nature and Place
- Environmental Interpretation Methods
- Educational Psychology
- Teaching of Science
- Environmental Teaching
- Current Research & Issues in Science Education
- Environmental Education for Teachers
- Design of environmental education programs
- Resources and networks in environmental education
- Environmental measurement and analysis
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Environmental Educators may teach any age group, from small children to senior citizens, and they can work for almost any organization from any sector that has an environmental message to convey. This could mean work in the educational system as a science/environmental teacher, in the nonprofit sector as a naturalist/interpretive guide, or in the private sector educating the public about a company's environmental products. Areas of specialization are just as varied and may involve any environmental specialty. Some specific job titles we've seen include:
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- Director of Environmental Education
- Education Outreach Coordinator
- Exhibit Designer
- Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
- Senior Teacher-Naturalist
- Camp Manager
- Outdoor Skills Coordinator
- Field Studies Manager
- Education Program Specialist
- Outreach Education Programs Supervisor
- Interpretive Park Ranger
- Executive Director
- Environmental Communications Specialist
The field of Environmental Education is so broad that it is difficult to pinpoint an actual salary range without going through the gamut of possible specialties and positions. Suffice to say, though, that environmental educators are not generally in the field for the money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a good place to start when exploring more information about specific career possibilities. Please visit their web site at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ for more specific information.
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