Katelyn N. Miller
Graphic Designer | Photographer | Nature Enthusiast
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM MATERIALS
Part of my job at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities was to plan programs for our students that taught valuable skills and concepts. During the 2021-2022 school year, all of my programs had an environmental science/nature theme since I was completing my Master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Some of the program materials and email advertisements I designed are below.
This program explained what a park/interpretative naturalist, what type of education is needed, and why I would like to become one in the future. A lot of the students knew I was finishing my Master's degree and they were interested about my future career goals. I also provided online sources the students could look at if they were interested in the field.
This program explained how birds are important to the world's ecosystems, what bird conservation is, and what we can do to protect all bird species. I presented the information via PowerPoint and then the students participated in a bird call activity, where they needed to write down the bird they thought made that particular call.
This program took a look at Ansel Adams photography work and his contributions to the Sierra Club. The students and I discussed how his landscape photography is still popular today and how his work has inspired photographers over the years. We ended the program looking at some of Ansel Adams most famous photographs and I had the students explain what they thought of each one.
This program discussed how the burning of fossil fuels can affect the air quality of an area but how it also can form a white haze in an area, reducing the visibility in the area. The location I chose to to examine these concepts was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I presented the information by a PowerPoint presentation, discussed what we could do to prevent further air quality damage, and then we ran an activity with the students on how white haze or smog is formed.
This program informed the students on what environmental racism is, what environmental justice is, and examples of both in the United States. The students and I also discussed ways all of us can help different communities, especially minority communities, tackle these issues and how we can show support to each other. I also provided the students a PDF file that a coworker and I found of current environmental justice leaders that they could research more about.
This program explained how being outside in nature has positive impacts on our physical, mental, and emotional health. The program also included information on why people like to visit parks (state and national), and how virtual reality/virtual tours has helped people connect with nature during COVID-19 pandemic. I also took the opportunity to show my Master's creative project to the students, which was a virtual tour of the Minnetrista Nature Area.
Thus program explained what climate change is, what causes climate change, and the effects of climate change happening around the world. I presented the information via PowerPoint and by interactive graphics on found on the NASA and EPA websites. I ended the program by talking about ways we as individuals can help reduce the effects of climate change.
Throughout the school year, students and I played the Ecologies card game that I bought online. The goal of the game is to gain points by building and maintaining healthy ecosystems. The cards are illustrated beautifully and the game is a great way to help visually understand food webs, ecosystem structure, and the various biomes of the world. I suggest buying this game is you teach about these topics or need a fun, educational activity for students!