Linking Learning About the Earth and Societal Issues Joshua Villalobos El Paso Community College

What is Environmental Justice? The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. How does that fit into a geoscience class?!? Explain how EJ fits into a introductory geology class by using the structure of lectures done in class: Topo lecture lead to landform lecture which leads to surface water lecture which leads into a real world example of topography and surface water (Maui pineapple plantations) ….with EJ I can know introduce real world issues that are often not discussed in an intro geology class of social and environmental issues that arise.

Module Goals To introduce the concept of Environmental Justice (EJ) in formative introductory courses. Have students utilize the concept of EJ when analyzing environmental issues in class and in the real world. Teach EJ using interactive pedagogy. Why we developed the module and what we wanted our students to achieve. Discuss the use of innovative interactive pedagogies (above pics are of EPCC students doing modules) that all modules use and how this pedagogy ties into the way HS students are now learning in their classes (bottom pic is of HS students utilizing the pedagogies implemented in the modules). High School students

Module Content Unit 1: Introduction to Environmental Justice The U.S. civil rights and environmental movements Unit 2: Hydrological Cycle and Freshwater Resources The student’s fresh water usage and footprint. Unit 3: Streams and Water Diversion Water diversion in Maui for irrigation Unit 4: Women and Water Region-specific water problems in different parts of the world through the POV of women Unit 5: Hazardous Waste and Love Canal The case of Love Canal, New York, and Lois Gibbs Unit 6: Groundwater Availability and Resources. The overuse of groundwater resources in the Ogallala aquifer. Units of our module and the real world examples utilized in the assessments and projects.

What to consider when teaching EJ -What class(es) would you integrate EJ into? (introductory geology or graduate level courses) -What is the rough make-up of the students in your classroom? (age, socio-economic background, ethnical background, and percentage of local vs. out of town students) -What are some examples of environmental issues in your local area that your community may experience on a regular basis? (municipal water issues, waste-disposal sites, locations of industrial facilities, etc.) Units of our module and the real world examples utilized in the assessments and projects. 2.4 hour lecture 1.5 hour lab

RTOP https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/certop/index.html Rachel Teasdale- RTeasdale@csuchico.edu

EJ Activity -What is one environmental issue that is present in your area that students may be aware of? -What is one environmental issue that is present in your area that students may NOT be aware of? -How do environmental issues affect your students or the community? -What is a topic you teach in class that is related environmental issues? -What is a skill you teach in your class/lab that relates to the understanding of environmental issues? Units of our module and the real world examples utilized in the assessments and projects. 2.4 hour lecture 1.5 hour lab