Course Information

Throughout its curriculum, Merry Lea’s graduate program in environmental education integrates ecological learning and pedagogical skills. You will study the ecology of the southern Great Lakes region and then refine your skills to transfer that knowledge to students of all ages. Education is, by nature, interdisciplinary and integrates many fields. Environmental education adds the natural sciences by incorporating ecology, biology, chemistry, and physical/outdoor education into curricula. The program at Merry Lea will challenge you every day and we trust that the reward is a renewed sense of wonder and confidence in your ability to bring people across the globe closer to the natural world.

The degree is built around four major components: six core courses, one seminar style course, an immersion in ecosystem studies, an extensive practicum, and a multi-faceted final project. A variety of seminars and integrative sessions supplement these experiences.The core courses provide content and the fundamental skills to understand, preserve and manage natural resources. You will also develop your interpersonal skills enabling you to be an effective leader and create challenging, safe and fun learning environments.

Six Core Courses

ENED 510 Natural History of the Southern Great Lakes  (3 credits)
        Professor: Lisa Zinn, Environmental Education
A study of the plants and animals of this region and the ecosystems in which they are found. Emphasis on 1) interrelationships in ecosystems, 2) the function of ecosystems, both how they operate and how they impact surrounding systems and humans, and 3) identity of the organisms that comprise the ecological community. Students will investigate the ecological relationships of the organisms identified as well as behaviors and life cycles.

ENED 515 Research Methods and Measurements (3 credits)
        Professor - Laura Meitzner Yoder, Environmental Education
A laboratory class created to give students an overview of designing, implementing, and reporting a scientific study including the use of environmental monitoring equipment to collect data and the basic statistics needed to analyze them. The class will address both ecological and educational research. Students will investigate the different ecosystems in the area using standard ecological data collection methods. Students will also learn standard methods for evaluating learning in environmental educational programs.

ENED 520 Principles of Environmental Education (3 credits)
        Professor: Jonathon Schramm, Sustainability & Environmental Education Department
A study of distinctive concepts and skills needed for delivering quality environmental education programs, built on a constructivist and applied educational model. The following themes will be part of the course: field-based and experiential education, inquiry and questioning, interpretation, settings, responsive instruction and program design, assessment and evaluation, and learner outcomes. Students will gain experience designing environmental education curricula through projects in the course.

ENED 525 Environmental Issues & History (3 credits)
        Professors: Paul Steury, Environmental Education & David Ostergren, Director MAEE
A study of current environmental issues facing society. Topics include ethics, citizenry, environmental justice, theological implications, and organizations addressing issues. The various facets of the history of environmental education and outdoor education will be reviewed. A study of important literature relevant to all topics will be included.

ENED 530 Leadership & Administration for Environmental Education (3 credits)
        Professor: Luke Gascho, Executive Director of Merry Lea ELC
This is a survey course on the essential skills and practices in leadership and administration of non-profit organizations. Topics include personnel management, strategic planning, personality styles, financial and resource management, budget preparation, board utilization, fundraising and capital campaign, day-to-day functioning of a nature center, and team development.

ENED 535 Land Management for Environmental Education (3 credits)
        Professor: William Minter, Director of Land Management
This is a study of both the theory and practice of managing the "place" for various ecological functions and human values that enhance an environmental education experience. Includes how land management practices need to reflect the economic/social/spiritual values of humans, and the biological functions of the ecosystems it encompasses.

ENED 550 Creation Care, Peace and Justice (1 credit)
        Professor: David Ostergren, Director MAEE
Environmental quality and care for creation are emerging as important components to faith, peace and justice across the globe. Creation care provides that we should build on spiritual and theological foundations to care for God’s creation. Environmental justice is the equitable distribution of costs and benefits from utilizing resources to all people regardless of class, generation, ethnic origin or gender. This seminar is a survey course of these topics.

ENED 580 Practicum in Environmental Education (6 credits, 1-3)
Being part of the delivery of Merry Lea's K-12 onsite and outreach programs in environmental education will fulfill the practicum in three major programming time blocks giving students experience in multiple programs. Student will also have opportunities in specialty programs, such as summer camps and public programs. Assessment of student performance will occur after each of the three programming time blocks and as part of the final evaluation.

ENED 570 Professional Portfolio (2 credits)
Portfolio expectations will be assigned to students during each of the first three semesters. These will include ecological observations, photography, and nature writing. Students will participate in six topical seminars, which will be offered throughout the year, and write a response paper to each seminar. (Nature Photography, Writing in Nature, Exploration of Faith and Spirituality, Sustainability, Wilderness First Responder, and Public Presentation Skills)

ENED 560 Creative Project and Paper (6 credits)
The project paper will be based on one of the following themes: a) environmental issue investigation b) ecological data based investigation, or c) pedagogical data based investigation. Project statement, literature review, critical investigation, application, conclusion, and professional formatting will all be expectations. Students will develop age-appropriate instructional materials based on the project themes.

Seminars

Occasional short-term experiences round out your education and contribute to the portfolio you create. Among these are a two-day Wilderness First Aid workshop, a Nature Photography Workshop, Merry Lea's annual Autumn Hope Conference and a Nature Writing Workshop.