 |
 |
||||
 |
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
 |
The Ecoversity expands the learning experience beyond the classroom, beyond the institution. Students will have the opportunity to create and participate in inter-institutional courses, independent studies, and field experiences. Faculty will have a greater opportunity to teach courses at, and/or work co-creatively with faculty from, other member institutions. Participating intitutions have discussed various Ecoversity programs:
Student Exchange Program - One of the most popular aspects of NAAGE is the proposed student exchange program that would allow students from member institutions (home) to attend other member institutions (host) for a period of up to one year. Under the current draft exchange agreement students would pay tuition at their home institution and receive a tuition waiver from a host institution. Prior to a pilot program, several issues will need to be discussed among participating institutions: import/export dynamics, admissions criteria and course availability are issues still in discussion. Institutional Feature Courses and Bioregional Exploration Courses - Participating institutions are encouraged to select or develop Feature Courses that highlight their overall curriculum. With the help of the Audubon Expedition Institute we intend to offer multi-institutional travel and expedition courses that will explore a diversity of bioregions. The North American Continent will be our classroom! Adjunct Mentorship Network - Several member institutions already feature adjunct faculty members and offer adult learning programs that extend well beyond the physical campus of the college. Thes programs would be expanded and merged into an international web of self-directed learning. Also see cross-institutional programs of collaboration that reach beyond NAAGE: |
In response to suggestions from NAAGE members, the staff of the National Alliance for Green Education has researched, and highly recommends the following workshops as potential events for NAAGE member institutions. Get in touch with contacts, as specifiedbelow, to discuss event costs and scheduling logistics. Please note that these organizations have demanding schedules and generally require advance scheduling. Enjoy!!
The Natural Step: A Dynamic Framework for Teaching & Practicing Sustainability
The Natural Step (T.N.S.) is a creative new method for addressing environmental challenges based on consensus and systems thinking that was developed in Sweden and is now being implemented by schools, businesses, and communities across the US. Its purpose is to develop and share a common framework comprised of easily understood, scientifically-based principles that can serve as a compass to guide society toward a just and sustainable future. Contact James Pittman - (520)717-9766, jpittman@naage.org.
Environmental Action Camps with Youth for Environmental Sanity (Y.E.S.!)
Y.E.S.! is one of the most successful youth-run organizations in the world working internationally to empower youth as active participants for positive change concerning environmental issues. The camps blend experiential exercises, discussion groups, cooperative games, multi-media presentations as well as guest speakers to explore environmental issues, healthy food choices, building community, connection with nature as well as leadership training. Skills taught include communication, conflict resolution, organizing, fundraising, and public speaking. Contact Brahm Ahmadi - (831)465-1091, camps@yesworld.org.
Ecopsychology for Educators with the Shavano Institute
The Shavano Institute presents the emerging field of ecopsychology is both an integration of ecology and psychology, and an exploration of the psychological, philosophical, cultural and spiritual roots of the human-nature relationship. Ecopsychology offers a positive, inspired vision of how humans beings can create and live together in an ecologically sustainable society. This workshop will present major themes of ecopsychology, teaching methods, experiential activities and course materials as well as strategies for class service projects and social action. Contact Jed Swift - (303)440-4153, ecojed@aol.com.
Campus Sustainability Clinics with Second Nature
Second Nature is an organization dedicated to advancing human and environmental well-being through learning. Their primary goal is to expand individual and institutional capabilities to make environmentally just and sustainable living a central part of the educational experience at colleges and universities. Second Nature's On-site Clinics are full-day workshops designed to add energy and momentum to new or on-going campus activities. Contact Cynthia Staples - (617)292-7771x131, workshops@2NATURE.ORG.
The mission of Living Routes is to develop and support a diverse, yet coherent set of ecovillage-based educational programs that empower participants to help build a sustainable future. Living Routes is working closely with the Global Ecovillage Network (see www.gaia.org for more information) and a consortium of ecovillages, academic institutions, and other organizations to create these globally connected yet regionally developed programs. Our collaboration with Living Routes will allow member institutions to offer these opportunities to their students.
At the core of Living Routes is a growing number of experiential learning programs that support participants to develop know-ledge, skills and values through direct experiences within sustainable communities. Some of these programs will be semester-long residential exper-iences in one or more ecovillages, building on already successful models. In these programs, students will create their own "learning communities" within "living communities" as they help design and build ecological structures, learn effective methods of decision-making and conflict resolution, research sustainable strategies, study and reflect on readings and experiences, support each otherÕs personal and spiritual growth, and work to enhance the health of wider communities and ecosystems.
updated March 2000