Explore & Contribute: Collaboration Between Washington University & Henry Elementary School

3 units

A major goal is to have elementary school students explore sustainable ways to live during the 21st. century. To this end, we will offer students curriculum ideas which will emphasize ecological sustainability, environmental health, personal responsibility, leadership, and a high-quality academic program. We will place emphasis on the environmental sciences, energy alternatives and conservation, recycling, organic gardening and the food sciences, and the emerging green economy. We will work to help the students improve their math, science, writing, and hands-on skills - using the range of topics about sustainable living as the vehicle. This course invites both undergraduate and graduate students from different fields of study to apply their discipline to the goal of designing and teaching hands-on problem -solving projects for elementary students. Gay Lorberbaum, with advising from administrators at the elementary school, will work individually with each WU student and each WU team to develop the right fit between the creative contribution each WU student will offer and the range of emotional and intellectual needs of the elementary school students. WU students enrolled in this course will work on-site at the elementary school during the scheduled weekly meeting times.