Education for Sustainability
The Alliance for Sustainable Communities offers this unique opportunity for students at colleges and universities in the Lehigh Valley. The overall goal is to increase teachers’ awareness of and ability to integrate sustainability into the curriculum, and interns will gain a strong understanding of the multiple elements of sustainability and how it can be integrated into elementary and secondary schools. Qualified interns may work directly with secondary students on an independent, self-directed project
Interns will be involved in some or all of the following activities:
- Research existing educational practice with regard to sustainability issues such as sustainable energy, relocalization, global warming, food & nutrition, food production, and transportation and identify ways to improve students’ understanding of these issues
- Make presentations to local teachers, administrators, and school boards;
- Other possibilities, especially for students in teacher-preparation programs, include focusing on one or two areas of special interest to you or developing or assisting with sample lesson plans and teacher aids
- Assist teachers with implementation
Requirements: A strong interest in sustainability and in elementary or secondary education, and improving education in local public schools; strong interpersonal, writing, and problem-solving skills.
Note: There are a number of related topics that would be suitable for independent study, and the Alliance can serve as a resource and support for such efforts.