Eastern Michigan University has received a grant from
the American Honda Foundation, based in Torrance, Calif.,
that will help area school children understand the relationship
between dinosaurs, computers and sneakers.
 |
A NATURAL DESIGN: (above,
from left)Peggy
Liggit, an EMU associate professor of biology,
and
Susan Santone, director of Creative
Change Educational Solutions (EMU's grant
partner) display
materials that will be used
to teach "Design
by Nature," an innovative
afterschool program
that will introduce 450
students to the growing
field of
environmental product design.
EMU has
received an $86,000 grant from the American
Honda
Foundation to fund the program. Photo
by Nancy Mida
|
"Designed by Nature" is an innovative after-school program
that will introduce 450 students to the growing field of
environmental product design. Funded by an $86,000 grant,
the program uses everyday objects such as T-shirts and
packing peanuts as a launching point, encouraging students
to explore the science of materials use and product lifecycles,
design products that minimize pollution and energy use,
and make a difference in the community through a service
project such as a computer recycling drive.
"We want students to understand the concepts of transfer
of energy, inputs and outputs, cause and effects, and renewable
vs. nonrenewable resources," said Peggy Liggit, EMU associate
professor of biology and program director.
"Designed by Nature" will benefit students in the Ypsilanti
Public Schools as well as EMU pre-service teachers. EMU
science education professors will train and supervise undergraduate
teaching majors to deliver the program. These new educators
will gain techniques and curriculum they can utilize in
their own classrooms, expanding the impact of the funding
beyond the grant timeline. In addition, a workshop for
practicing teachers during spring term 2007, and online
dissemination will enable the program to reach hundreds
of educators across the nation.
The program also will partner with graduate students from
the University of Michigan in a joint MBA-environmental
science program. The graduate students will mentor the
younger students, introducing them to careers in design,
materials science and engineering.
"Designed by Nature" builds on a successful, federally-funded
science education project developed by Liggit. For more
information, go to http://www.emich.edu/wrc/wet/ She
will head the program with two other science education
professors, Sandra Rutherford and Bonnie Wylo.
Creative Change Educational Solutions, a local nonprofit
with extensive experience providing curriculum on product
lifecycles and sustainability, will collaborate with EMU
throughout the program. For more information, go to www.creativechange.net
