Fredonia science education professor Michael Jabot spoke at the annual meeting of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI) on Friday, Sept. 26, at McCormick’s Creek State Park, located southwest of Indianapolis. He will also be a featured presenter at the Northern Woodlands Writers’ Conference to be held Oct. 17 to 19 in Fairlee, Vt.
Dr. Jabot’s address at the EEAI, "The Next Generation Science Standards - Aldo Leopold Could Have Been Sitting at the Table," reflected the meeting’s theme of “Land Ethic” by describing the impact of Aldo Leopold and the land ethic in helping to shape national science education reform. Leopold was a scientist and environmentalist at the University of Wisconsin in the 1930s. His work was influential in the development of modern environmental ethics.
The EEAI promotes opportunities that educate, motivate and inspire Indiana residents to conserve natural resources and meet the needs of society while maintaining a healthy environment.
At the Northern Woodlands Writers’ Conference, Dr. Jabot will be delivering an invited talk describing the connections between national education reform documents and the development of science literacy. Additionally, Dr. Jabot will be part of the group's national panel where he will share how deep connections to the natural world can be developed through place-based science initiatives.The conference is designed to give writers, artists and educators the chance to share ideas on experiencing and interacting with the forests of the Northeast.
Dr. Jabot, in addition to his role as professor of Science Education at Fredonia, is Director of the Institute for Research in Science Teaching. He has been involved in science education research across the nation and internationally. Most recently he has served on the Lead Team for the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS). His current research focuses on the use of Big Ideas in the shaping of learning progressions around Education for Sustainability (EfS) and how the curriculum interventions in classrooms help shape student actions. In particular, his focus has been on place-based interventions and the role that geospatial technologies can play in developing students’ understanding of the world around them.
