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The
Higher Education Workgroup
of
the PCEE
In 1997, a statewide assessment was conducted to determine
the needs for environmental education in Pennsylvania. The
results of this assessment led the Pennsylvania Center for
Environmental Education PCEE to the Pennsylvania College and
University Summit on Environmental Education, held April 2,
1998 in Harrisburg. One of the many positive outcomes of this
gathering was the creation of the Higher Education Workgroup.
The Workgroup was assembled to serve as a foundation for the
Higher Education Initiative, which is currently placing emphasis
on pre-service teacher education in environmental education.
The mission of the Higher Education Initiative is to contribute
to the lifelong process of environmental education and stewardship
through the preparation and professional development of educators
and others in Pennsylvania institutions of higher education.
In order to achieve this mission, the following goals have
been set: 1) institutionalize environmental education into
teacher certification programs, at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels, 2) professional development for formal
and nonformal educators, and 3) providing opportunities for
lifelong learning in environmental stewardship. Currently,
the Higher Education Workgroup is comprised of professors
from colleges and universities throughout Pennsylvania, and
meets two to three times a year to coordinate activities related
to the mission of the Higher Education Initiative.
The Higher Education Workgroup is open to any college or
university professor, external agency, and/or organization
that has a formal link to an institution of higher education
related environmental education. The meetings are informal
in nature, as members’ attendance is based on personal
and/or academic interest in the meeting topic(s). The following
services are presently available to the Workgroup: the Higher
Education Listserve, Workgroup meetings to provide updates
and involvement in environmental education and higher education
activities and issues, and priority in particular grants offered
in Pennsylvania.
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