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Education
Education can clarify the importance of good solid waste management to community members and to your tribal leadership, ensuring that your solid waste program will be supported as a high priority. Environmental curricula which incorporate Native American cultural themes help sensitize students to environmental issues and may inspire greater participation in community pollution prevention activities.
- College Curriculum
- Primary and Secondary Education (K-12) Curricula
- Other Education Links
- EPA Education Links
- Outside EPA Education Links
- Tribe to Tribe
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College Curriculum
Pollution Prevention and Cultural Preservation in Native American Communities: An Educational Tool Kit for Tribal Colleges (Non-EPA Publication)
Montana State University Extension Service produced this curriculum under a grant from EPA. It includes a student handbook, an educational guide, transparencies, worksheets, a test, and evaluations. Its eight lessons cover different aspects of pollution prevention (P2) and are intended to fit into the academic curricula of tribal community colleges. The educational guide illustrates the importance of P2 and how it can help protect tribal lands and enhance pride in Native American culture. The program’s goal is to inspire students to apply concepts they learn in the classroom to their communities and in their everyday lives.
For more information or to order a copy of the curriculum, contact:
Montana Pollution Prevention Program
Montana State University Extension Service
Taylor Hall
Bozeman, MT 59717
Phone: 888 MSU-MTP2 (687-6872--toll-free in Montana) or 406 994-3451
Primary and Secondary Education (K-12) Curricula
Environmental Protection Native American Lands: A Cultural Approach to Integrated Environmental Studies. Grades 1-12, Second Edition (Non-EPA Publication)
The Center for Indian Community Development at Humboldt State University produced this 52-lesson curriculum for grades 1 through 12 under a grant from EPA. Tribal leaders, educators, and the public identified the goals of the project. The curriculum adapts elements from other waste management instructional materials, but adds several original activities specifically to meet the needs of rural Native American children. It is designed to be empowering and emphasizes cultural themes.
For more information or to order a copy of the curriculum, contact:
The Center for Indian Community Development Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA 95521
Phone: 707 826-3711
Changing Waste in Changing Times: Solid Waste and Natural Resource Issues in Rural Alaska—A Teacher’s Guide (Non-EPA Publication)
The Northwest Renewable Resources Center produced this eight-unit curriculum under a grant from EPA Region 10. Its lessons foster an understanding of solid waste management problems in Alaska native villages. The lessons are designed to sensitize school children to environmental problems and inspire grassroots programs to reduce solid waste and litter in villages. The curriculum is written specifically for small and rural Alaska native villages, and emphasizes involvement of community resources, elders, and health organizations.
For more information or to order a copy of the curriculum, contact:
Northwest Renewable Resources Center
2021 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: 206 269-2357
Other Education Related Links
Here are links to educational information to help you explain the importance of good solid waste management to community members and to tribal leadership.
EPA’s Office of Environmental Education advances and supports education efforts that develop an environmentally conscious and responsible public and inspire personal responsibility in caring for the environment. Contains contacts, resources, and grant information.
Clearinghouse for Environmental Education and Information connects those who have educational materials, information and resources with classroom teachers and informal educators. The Clearinghouse operator assists callers in locating information regarding training opportunities, grants, curricula, speakers, technical assistance, field study sites, publications, teaching kits and existing programs. To contact the Clearinghouse, call 1-800-424-4372.
EPA Education Links
Tribal Waste Journal’s Kids section (PDF) (2 pp, 820K) has some good resources for kids.
Planet Protectors Club page has educational activities and games for elementary school students that make learning about solid waste fun.
Educational Resources about Waste for Teachers provides numerous references, resources, and teaching aids for teachers.
Recycle City is a project of EPA Region 9. This website for children features a complete “virtual community” with gaming simulation to demonstrate home and community solid waste management decisions. The site tells the story of how reducing, reusing, and recycling solid waste; collecting household hazardous waste; and replacing an open dump with a landfill transformed Dumptown into Recycle City. It holds the attention of young readers using colorful illustrations and easily accessible environmentally conscious characters.
EPA Region 5’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Toolbox helps teachers integrate P2 concepts in the classroom. The toolbox contains a series of lesson plans on various pollution prevention concepts in schools. Each fact sheet is designed to provide information on how students and teachers can prevent pollution. Topics include energy conservation, household hazardous waste reduction, and pesticides reduction.
Household Waste Management 
is a resource created by EPA Region 5 and Purdue University. This program is aimed at the individual citizen and consumer. It offers reliable information to help readers greatly reduce the amount of solid and hazardous waste generated in the home; security through sensible use and reuse of household products. There is a section for K-12 educational use.
Region 7’s Education and Kids page includes children’s materials, teacher resources, and environmental education for consumers.
Outside EPA Education Links
Computers for Learning is a program designed to donate surplus federal computer equipment to schools and educational nonprofits. You can register online to request surplus federal computer equipment or call 1-888-362-7870.
EELinked works to support, enhance and extend effective environmental education in grades K-12 through Internet resources. This website provides training workshops and promotes networking. There are large collections of specialized links for teachers, students, and professionals. Also online is the EE Toolbox, a set of resources for those who provide continuing education for teachers. The audience for the Toolbox includes resource management agency staff, university professors, nature center staff, and representatives of professional educational associations.
Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP) is part of the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) at Northern Arizona University. The purpose of EEOP is to interest Native American students in environmental careers and to assist schools in improving environmental science literacy.
