Environmental education is essential for protecting and restoring natural water sources. Integrating education with positive environmental experiences can instill values and stewardship in the public, encouraging proactive steps to preserve and enhance water resources. Elementary teachers can incorporate real-world water-related environmental issues into their classrooms, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Place-based education, which involves experiential learning in local settings, effectively builds connections between students and their communities. Authentic water-focused climate science learning should anchor in local phenomena, fostering student inquiry and validating student voices. This study involved a Hispanic elementary teacher with 19 years of experience teaching fifth graders at a rural Title 1 school in the Southeastern United States. The study focused on a climate change unit aligned with state science standards and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), emphasizing interdependence and the impact of human activities on the environment. A key lesson involved assessing water quality and understanding its implications for humans, plants, and animals. The teacher used practical tools like water testing strips and relatable analogies to help students grasp these concepts. The study highlights the importance of curricula grounded in place and environmental issues, motivating students to adopt sustainable lifestyles and develop into informed environmental advocates.
Ibourk, A. & Burns, K. (2025). Local waters, global impact: Inspiring young minds through place-based environmental education. Science and Children, 62(2), 43–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/00368148.2025.2462340