Knowing and Transforming Environments with Children and Youth

Co-taught with Myrna Breitbart - SS

How do young people make sense of their environments and how can environmental exploration create opportunities for children and youth to become critical learners and actors? Important learning occurs both inside and outside classrooms and schools, yet there is often little coordination of activities that take place in these different venues. With thoughtful consideration, one can build learning opportunities for youth that encourage their active participation in local research and the creation of more vibrant, healthy and just communities. This course explores the theory and practice of engaging young people in community-based projects that provide opportunities to assess and improve their natural and built environments, address social justice issues, and better understand themselves and their worlds. The course includes theoretical and practical components that are integrated in a course project that requires a commitment of time outside the classroom, work in small groups and collaboration with community organizations.