From the classroom, into the real world - students and teachers are learning more about how we can save the world around us.

Here at CoolPeopleCare, Inc. we are always eager to see other people out there making a difference. When we met Tami from Project CENTS, we knew this was something our readers would want to hear about. Project CENTS is a Tennessee based program that seeks to educate and inform students about sustainability and conservation. Tami is the Coordinator for Project CENTS and is out there seeking to make the world a better place.

Can you tell us the story of how the Project CENTS program came to be?

Project CENTS is an inter-agency partnership between the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. C E N T S stands for Conservation Education Now for Tennessee Students. During the 1980's, and 1990's, thousands of teachers and non-formal educators were trained in environmental education materials used nationally such as Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET. The program fell under the budget cut axes of the late 1990's.

Since 2005, with the reinstatement of Project CENTS, time tested lessons from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Project WET have been correlated to state curriculum standards, enabling teachers to enhance students understanding of the natural world while working within their required curriculum.

What inspired you to work with CENTS?

I came to CENTS directly from the classroom. My last assignment of my 21-year teaching career was in Biology and environmental science at Hume-Fogg Academic High School in Nashville. During that time, I realized that it was imperative to connect book learning with the real world outside the classroom, but there were lots of obstacles to doing this. I saw the Project CENTS position as an opportunity for me to work on removing some of those obstacles.

How does this program differ from other Conservation programs in the state?

Project CENTS is the only conservation education program at the Department of Education. I work directly with teachers.

How does CENTS get kids in the community involved with hands-on experiences?

Project CENTS is a program for educators. Educator workshops give teachers experience with new ideas and activities that are designed to get students outdoors.

What is the biggest shock kids have when they begin to see issues around conservation in their communities?

For most of the high school students I have known, the shock is that the adults in charge aren't doing more to protect natural resources and change policy to support sustainable practices.

How could people get more involved in helping this program?

If you are looking for ways to facilitate children's experiences in the outdoors and/or help them understand natural processes, come to a Project CENTS educator workshop. Groups of educators (formal or non-formal), can schedule a workshop specifically for their group. Workshops are appropriate for classroom teachers, scout leaders, youth leaders, after school and day care teachers - anyone who works with students ages 4-18. Tell your child's teacher or principal about Project CENTS Educator workshops. Check Environmental Education In Tennessee for Summer Workshop opportunities.

Sign up for E-News!

E-News

For information about scheduling a workshop, e-mail Tamara.Coleman@state.tn.us

1 others have done this "5 minutes of caring" To date, you've cared for 0 minutes on CoolPeopleCare.org

Post a comment

You must be a registered user to post comments.
Log in or create an account.