Research Lab & Professional Service
A small sample of national and state service for environmental education & civics education
Professional Service:
Research Lab:
Role: Co-Founder/Creator and Director
Lab Website: https://www.ecoblitz.education/
EcoBlitz is an environmental education & community science program created by a team of California-based National Geographic Explorers and National Geographic Certified Educators in 2018. The spirit of multidisciplinary collaboration encourages students to collect real environmental data and:
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Explore and discover plant and animal biodiversity like a biologist.
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Examine trash and plastics like an anthropologist.
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Analyze real environmental data and human-environmental impact like a geographer.
Our primary focus is on building capacity for K-12 teachers to:
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Increase their competency and confidence in using GIS app-based technology community science tools like iNaturalist and Marine Debris Tracker
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Infuse and integrate environmental history and civics, community science, and geography into their curriculum and connect to existing content standards.
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Develop pathways for teacher leadership and "teacher-to-teacher" training at local school sites, district offices, county offices of education, and community centers.
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Receive professional development through an online microcredential course with Professional Learning Units.
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Collaborate and build community with other teachers, students, and scientists around a common goal.
We started in California as an in-person program. Since 2018, we've reached over 3,500 K-12 teachers and students nationwide, due to an online teacher professional development course. We're proud to have collaborated with students and teachers from Indigenous Nations, as well as students, teachers, and scientists in Olongapo, Philippines.
National Professional Service:
2024-2027: Book Awards Committee Member--Carter G. Woodson Book Award (National Council for the Social Studies & Children's Book Council)
First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to ethnic minorities and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Carter G. Woodson Awards, NCSS gives wide recognition to and encourages these authors and publishers.
Website: https://www.socialstudies.org/get-involved/carter-g-woodson-book-award-and-honor-winners
2021-2024: Selection Committee Member--Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People (National Council for the Social Studies & Children's Book Council)
Books selected for this bibliography are written primarily for children in grades K-12. The selection committee looks for books that emphasize human relations, represent a diversity of groups and are sensitive to a broad range of cultural experiences, present an original theme or a fresh slant on a traditional topic, are easily readable and of high literary quality, and have a pleasing format and, when appropriate, illustrations that enrich the text. Each book is read by several reviewers, and books are included on the annotated list by committee assent.
State Service:
Roles: Steering Committee Member, In-Service Sub-Committee Member, Contributing Author on the 2019 Statewide Recommendations Report & Strategic Summary.
UC-CSU Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Projects (ECCLPs). Advancing PK-12 climate and environmental literacy, justice and action through an innovative partnership between the UC-CSU systems.
The UC and CSU university systems are joining key partners to support the urgent need to advance PK-12 climate and environmental justice literacy by preparing current and future teachers to respond to these urgent issues.
Website: https://www.ecclps.net/