Outdoor Education Commons^™

Review Of The Elegant Universe, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

While a theory of everything (TOE) still eludes physicists, Greene shares in understandable, and at times entertaining, terms how superstring theory may bridge the gap "between the laws of the large - general relativity - and the laws of the small - quantum mechanics." As they now stand, both cannot be correct. General relativity is very accurate in explaining the behavior of the universe at large and quantum mechanics in describing behavior of subatomic particles. However, they "collide horribly" when physicists try to explain such things as black holes and the early conditions of the big bang.

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

Professional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included "Creating Ripples: Education, Environment and Culture" and "Teaching OUTSIDE the Box - Creative Uses of Nature in Education".

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education. Some items include: "Environmentalist Named Recipient 2004 Nobel Peace Prize" and "Endangered Parks".

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This issue of Taproot is dedicated to encouraging a reacquaintance with the evening sky. Our lead article by Joseph Flanagan describes efforts being made to "restore the night sky" to our national parks. In it Flanagan argues, "the night sky is a primal element of our human heritage ... " and " is the eternal backdrop to human history, inspiration of thought and belief, source of the deepest questions human beings have posed about themselves and their place in the world." Readers will be encouraged about the progress being made to protect this aspect of national parks.

The Night Sky, Joseph Flanagan

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Losing the night sky might seem the least of our worries in today's world. And yet a growing chorus of voices, many in the preservation community, is making a case for action: The night sky is a primal element of our human heritage, perhaps the ultimate cultural entity. It is the eternal backdrop to human history, inspiration of thought and belief, source of some of the deepest questions human beings have posed about themselves and their place in the world.

Review Of There Once Was A Sky Full Of Stars, Beth Bojarski

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

There Once Was A Sky Full of Stars is a beautifully written and poignantly illustrated children's book looking at the past, present and future status of light pollution. It is an ideal read for helping children and adults understand the issues of light pollution and to begin opening their eyes to the harm that is done to the environment and to future generations in innocent ways. "Some children won't care to look up in the air, Those stars are just stories, they'll say."

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "TheEEWorks.org" and the "International Dark Sky Association".

Astronomy For Your Whole Family, Larry Klaes

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

We live in an amazing Universe. W At this very moment, we sit on a spinning ball of rock eight thousand miles across. This oversized boulder, our planet Earth, revolves around a yellow star at over one thousand miles per hour. This star, our Sun, is just one of billions in a vast spiral island of suns we call the Milky Way galaxy. Our seemingly huge star island floats among billions of other similar realms in a Universe almost fourteen billion years old in both space and time.

Feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps even a bit small and lost in all that …

Practitioner's Corner- Please Touch, Anita Sanchez

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

I wish I had a nickel for every environmental education activity that involves index cards. Students drown in a sea of paper. My kindergartener brings home worksheets, pictures, notes, every day. By the end of the year, the pile is as high as he is. Are you doing activities with pictures of animals cut out from magazines and laminated onto index cards? You know who you are. Forget the index cards! Use real stuff.

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education including GLIN (Great Lakes Information Network) and NAAEE (North America Association for Environmental Education).

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

Review Of Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories, Storytelling And Activities For Peace, Justice And The Environment, Kerry A. Masarik-Pryor

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, five professional storytellers realized they had something in common. Their commonality was telling stories that would promote a greater good in the world; soon the five storytellers became The Stories for World Change Network. These individuals believed that telling stories would aid in the development of values, emotions, and academic and life skills. On the basis of this belief, Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope was created. This book became a well-known compilation of stories from around the world that addressed issues of difference, conflict resolution, trust, justice, and peace.

Toward A Living Literacy: Environmental Education And The Story Of Place, Patrick Howard

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Undoubtedly, science has its place in environmental education, but the creation of an environmentally conscious citizenry is more than it alone can bear. The truth it offers is not the truth of which we are in need. Our children learn about things, yet there is little investiture of who they are or an exploration of their fundamental connection to their place.

Tinkling Cymbals And Sounding Brass: Hearing The Different Drum, Michael L. Umphrey

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

After researching a hundred-year environmental history of what seemed to be nonstop economic troubles, the kids concluded this way: "We looked to Libby's past for answers to our current troubles. But we didn't find answers. What we found was that life had always been difficult, but that our grandparents and great-grandparents had always found a way to help each other and get along. And so will we."

Review Of Born With A Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story, & From Lava To Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story, Dodi Hathazi

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Born with a Bang and From Lava to Life, books one and two of a three part series (the third will be available in 2005), artistically tell the story of the beginning of the universe, the creation of Earth, and the development of its diverse life forms. Morgan and Anderson incorporate Western science, art, and poetry with a tone of spiritual connectedness that emphasizes our place as humans within the creation process and the universal web of existence. The visually delightful artistry and simplistic writing style contrast markedly with the complicated scientific content making their intended audience unclear. However, infusing …

Storytelling - An Interview With Joseph Cornell, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Storytelling has been an integral part of outdoor education since humans first began to try to explain their earthly experience and the mysteries of the natural world surrounding them. Currently, there is a resurgence of interest in storytelling as a method of motivating students and enhancing instructional endeavors. Taproot Editor Charles Yaple interviewed one of the leading storytellers in the world: Joseph Cornell, author, nature educator, and creator of the Sharing Nature Foundation in Nevada City, California. Cornell discusses his experiences with storytelling.

Review Of The Passionate Fact: Storytelling In Natural History And Cultural Interpretation, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The phrase, "a must read" aptly fits this book if one is going to be an interpreter of natural or cultural history, an environmental educator, outdoor educator, or a teacher of any sort. Storytelling is an art, and Susan Strauss has mastered it to the point that she can explain the intricacies of orchestrating a good story. Recognized as one of the finest storytellers in the country, Strauss shows readers how to make ordinary information and scientific facts come alive. Professional performances, during a twenty year career, at institutions such as the National Geographic Society and the Smithsonian Museum lend …

The Environment Of Education: Identifying Effects Of The Hidden Curriculum On Students' Environmental Perceptions, Values, And Attitudes, Amy Duckert

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Our relationship with our environment is a function of culture and personal experience. Environmental perceptions, values, and attitudes are therefore linked to cultural standards. As Saul (2000) has stated, "Environmental problems result from environmental practices, and environmental practices are cultural activities" (p. 5). The link between environmental issues and cultural practices is clear, but the question of how to change cultural norms is a difficult one. Some environmental theorists claim the environmental movement has not paid enough attention to culture and has therefore failed to address problems at their true cause (Saul, 2000; Bowers, 1997).

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education including NRPA (National Recreation Parks Association) and NSEE (National Society for Experiential Education).

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Because story does have such significant potential, your Taproot editors have adopted it as the theme for this issue. We proudly begin with an interview of one of the world's most renowned contemporary storytellers, Joseph Cornell. Readers of Taproot will undoubtedly be familiar with Joseph's work (e.g. Sharing Nature with Children) to one degree or another. Now they can read first-hand his thoughts about the importance of story and what his many years of experience suggest leads to effective storytelling.

Review Of John Muir: My Life With Nature, Rob Andrejewski

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

More than 100 years ago, John Muir began speaking in defense of wilderness, captivating audiences with his unconventional style and complete absorption in the wonder and joy of the land. Though Muir spoke esoterically about transcendent "spirit beams" and the beauty of Yosemite's "range of light," his sincerity and emotion shook something deep within the national consciousness. His books and speaking tours energized the wilderness movement, invigorating supporters of the natural preservation system that would help define the country. Never before or since has the United States, possibly the world, had such a charismatic and enthusiastic champion of the wild …

Profesional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included the "Southern African Journal Of Environmental Education, Ethics and Action" and the "Wetland Youth Leadership Program".

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education. Some titles include: "Car Free Possibilities" and "Privatization Does Not Pay".

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "The Chiji Pocket Processor" and "Storytelling Treasury: Live from the 20th National Storytelling Festival".

The Role Of The Environment In Adventure And Outdoor Education, Todd Miner

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Outdoor education is all about the outdoors, the natural environment, right? That certainly used to be the case, as students were immersed in the out of doors and spent time learning about natural history, ecology, or environmental issues.

Today, however, that common sense assumption has been changing to the point that some now consider "outdoor education" an outdated or imprecise label. Increasingly, we see programs identify themselves either as adventure education or environmental education. Even those programs that still use the term outdoor education or recreation in their titles are focusing more on leadership, teambuilding, and personal growth, as opposed …

Resources, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains a listing of teaching resources of all types for those who work in the outdoor education field at the time of publication. Some items highlighted include: "Amazing Animal Activity Program" (an animal tracking kit) and "From the Folks at Outward Bound" (The Outward Bound Earthbook is a field guide to environmental concerns).

Review Of Consider The Earth: Environmental Activities For Grades 4-8, Second Edition, Kerry A. Masarik-Pryor

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Consider the Earth is an environmental guide that provides educators with background information on ecological issues, natural history and a variety of hands-on activities. Each lesson includes activity objectives, preparation requirements, materials, and vocabulary words. Friendly to use, this book is divided into ten themes focusing on soil, plants, water, wildlife, weather, environmental problems, oceans, ecosystems, and bibliographic information.

News Briefs, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section contains multiple brief news items related to conservation, environment or outdoor education.

Professional Opportunities, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section included numerous opportunities for professional development related to outdoor education and environmental or conservation education. Some of the options included the "New England Journal of Environmental Education - Call for Submissions" and "Leave No Trace Master Educator and Trainer Courses".