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Integrating Environmental Education Field Trip Pedagogy into Science Teacher Preparation

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The Inclusion of Environmental Education in Science Teacher Education

Abstract

Field trips are commonly used methods for teaching about the environment and their potential educational benefits are well documented. However, teachers receive minimal preservice training for how to make use of field trips to enhance environmental education (EE) and improve pedagogy in general. A review of the research on field trips reveals that many learning opportunities are missed. However, this same line of research also leads to a wealth of recommended strategies for optimizing learning on field trips. A summary of these recommendations is provided along with suggestions for how they might be integrated into a science methods course targeting preservice teachers. We make the case that inclusion of field trip pedagogy in the existing science methods courses may be accomplished without restructuring the course objectives and without displacing other important material to be covered. In fact, we assert that introducing field trip strategies in science methods courses will serve many existing course and program goals while simultaneously leading to improved EE instruction at both the secondary and university levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon State University, 2046 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Bryan M. Rebar

  2. Science and Mathematics Education Department, Oregon State University, 237 Weniger Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Larry G. Enochs

Authors
  1. Bryan M. Rebar
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  2. Larry G. Enochs
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Correspondence to Bryan M. Rebar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , College of Education, Lehigh University, Research Drive, A113 Lacocca Hall 111, Bethlehem, 18015, Pennsylvania, USA

    Alec M. Bodzin

  2. SUNY Cortland, Cortland, 13045, New York, USA

    Beth Shiner Klein

  3. Seidel School of Education and Professio, Department of Education Specialties, Salisbury University, Camden Ave. 1101, Salisbury, 21801, Maryland, USA

    Starlin Weaver

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Rebar, B.M., Enochs, L.G. (2010). Integrating Environmental Education Field Trip Pedagogy into Science Teacher Preparation. In: Bodzin, A., Shiner Klein, B., Weaver, S. (eds) The Inclusion of Environmental Education in Science Teacher Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9222-9_8

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