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The Value of Nonformal Environmental Education-Based Professional Development in Preservice Science Teacher Preparation

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The Inclusion of Environmental Education in Science Teacher Education

Abstract

In many higher education institutions, Environmental Education (EE) is not satisfactorily integrated into the majority of science teacher preparation curricula. In addition, there is a reluctance for inservice teachers to integrate EE into their classroom instruction. This chapter describes the work of nonformal EE educators and discusses their potential role in science teacher preparation programs. Nonformal EE educators use a wide assortment of teaching methodologies in varying learning environments to encourage an environmentally literate citizenry. EE methodologies and activities that can be integrated into science teacher preparation programs are illustrated. The benefits of collaborative relationships between nonformal EE educators and science teacher educators are discussed. Strategies that can be used to overcome institutional obstacles that science teacher educators are likely to experience when attempting to integrate EE into preservice programs are described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Education, Lehigh University, 120 Center Street, Reading, PA, 19606, USA

    Tamara E. Peffer

  2. College of Education, Lehigh University, A113 Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA

    Alec M. Bodzin

Authors
  1. Tamara E. Peffer
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  2. Alec M. Bodzin
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Correspondence to Tamara E. Peffer .

Editor information

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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Peffer, T.E., Bodzin, A.M. (2010). The Value of Nonformal Environmental Education-Based Professional Development in Preservice 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_18

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