Old Dominion University's Center for Educational Partnerships (TCEP) received the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition (VMSC) Programs that Work award for the program Southeastern Virginia Environmental Education (SEVEE) Consortium. The award recognizes exemplary mathematics, science, and integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for which there is evidence of a positive impact on student or teacher learning. This is the fourth time TCEP has won this distinguished state award.
The goal of this project is to strengthen the capacity of upper elementary, middle school, and high school science teachers to deliver systemic Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences (MWEEs) to their students through professional development. MWEEs are designed to actively engage students in hands-on experiences that investigate their local environment and build knowledge and understanding of environmental literacy.
TCEP faculty are working with teachers and administrators from Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Williamsburg-James City County public school districts and through the project, were able to successfully integrate components of environmental literacy and STEM with authentic research.
Objectives include training teacher leaders across the Consortium to support systematic implementation of MWEEs in their school districts, developing MWEE lessons for grades 5-8, Biology, and Environmental Science that are aligned with the 2018 Standards of Learning or VDOE Content Guidelines as applicable, and achieving division-wide implementation by teachers and students in partnership with selected environmental education non-profit organizations such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), Mariners' Museum, and Watermen's Museum.