In Rhode Island in 2004, Save The Bay, Norman Bird Sanctuary and Roger Williams Park Zoo formed the Ocean State Environmental Education Collaborative (OSEEC) to implement an AmeriCorps Program to improve science proficiency and environmental literacy among students in urban core cities, teaching them about the natural environment and cultivating environmentally-literate, active citizens.  In 2010, The Audubon Society of Rhode Island joined OSEEC.

In January 2011, OSEEC began a standards-based, twelve-week environmental education program for third graders in the Central Falls School District.  In this urban school district 77% of the children are eligible for subsidized school meals and 27% of the students are English Language Learners.  OSEEC developed this innovative model for hands-on, inquiry-based science programming for the district’s third graders to meet science grade span expectations. The goal is to help third graders develop an interest in local biodiversity, landscapes, the wider environment, and an understanding of basic ecological, social and conservation principles using interactive classroom lessons and outdoor exploration. 

The program has two components: an eight-week in-school series of environmental education lessons, followed by four field study programs. AmeriCorps members from each of the four partner agencies taught two of eight lessons in the series. Central Falls has 10 third grade classrooms totaling 239 students. AmeriCorps teams from partner sites each delivered 20 lessons totaling 80 programs.

Following the eight-week in-school program, every third grade class participated in four field study programs. Each site hosted the third grade each week (two classes a day) for four weeks. AmeriCorps teams from partner sites delivered 10 field study programs totaling 40 programs.

All four partners provided hands-on environmental-based science programs supporting state education standards.  Program topics included: habitats, biological adaptations, birds of prey and biodiversity. Field studies included a trip to observe harbor seals in Narragansett Bay and the exploration of field, forest and pond ecosystems at Audubon’s Caratunk Wildlife Refuge. 

OSEEC’s unique collaborative AmeriCorps program valued at $9,100 was offered to the Central Falls School District free of charge. The school administration saw the value of this program and raised transportation funds the four field study programs. Each partner site also helped with transportation grants to reduce per-student fees allowing every third grader to participate. 

During the 12 weeks, OSEEC administered pre and post-assessments designed to measure students’ knowledge about local wildlife, understanding of basic science concepts, such as adaptations, interest in the natural world, and whether they practice environmentally-conscious behavior at home or in school. Post-assessments are currently being conducted with third-grade teachers and school administrators.   While the assessment is not yet complete, the school administration, teachers and students have been enthusiastic about the program.  Teachers are interested in discussing integrating the 12-week program into the 2012 science curriculum.  The 12-week environmental education program would become a substitute for their science kits, offering a more engaging learning experience for third-grade students.