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PLT Secondary Modules

PLT's secondary environmental education modules meet common components of national education reform by using the constructivist approach to learning, whole language teaching, cooperative learning, problem solving, and authentic assessments. The modules are intended for grades 9-12 but can be adapted for other audiences such as entry-level college courses and adult community groups. PLT's secondary modules include:


Available on-line:
  • Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity
  • Introductory Handbook for the Secondary Modules


    Modules in print:
    Modules in development:
    • Biotechnology - Supplement to Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk

    Module order form (pdf 112 KB)


    Module Descriptions:

    Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests

    Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests module uses forest related examples to help students better understand the complexity of environmental issues. Students examine issues objectively, collect and analyze data, and become involved in decision-making experiences. They learn how to present arguments clearly and how citizens can play a role in forest management decisions.


    The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology

    In The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology module, students examine ecological systems of a forest, analyze interdependencies within a forest ecosystem, and explore factors that shape the development of forests. In addition, they develop critical thinking skills and discover the importance of scientific analysis when making decisions about forest issues. This module includes a special section on fire ecology.


    Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste

    Through the Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste module, students begin understanding waste management issues and options. The module uses hands-on experiences to show the interrelationships among waste generation, natural resource use, and disposal. The activities guide students through waste management strategies and solutions while providing the necessary tools to make informed decisions and choices on waste management issues.

    Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk

    Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk module helps students explore the different aspects of environmental and human health risks that affect their everyday lives. It incorporates science, social studies, math, geography, and language arts. The module is designed to be infused into existing curriculum and is correlated to the national science standards. Students analyze, explore, discover, and learn about risk assessment, risk communication, risk perception, and risk management. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are stressed throughout the activities.


    Global Connections: Forests of the World

    Global Connections: Forests of the World provides formal and nonformal educators with a series of activities to help students and educators gain an increased understanding and appreciation of the diversity of world forest environments, with an emphasis on the human interaction with and dependence on those environments. The module activities provide students with opportunities to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills while investigating world forestry issues and conducting service learning action projects.

    The Places We Live

    The Places We Live provides educators with a useful tool for placed based education to help create a bond between young citizens and their communities. Students will explore current and future community environmental issues, enabling them to make informed decisions about those issues.



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