DATE: 9/13/05

CONTACT/WRITER: Jason Caudill, (864) 638-5889

Students get hands-on with the environment

WALHALLA -- Three years ago, Clemson Extension Agent Jason Caudill had an idea. After talking with teachers and administrators with the School District of Oconee County, he saw a need for affordable local field trip opportunities for the school district that taught natural resource education to elementary classes.

He put together a program that he named OKEE (Oconee Kids Environmental Education). The program consists of hands-on lesson activities that teach environmental related concepts to fourth and fifth grade students. This 4-H program was carefully written to include S.C. Curriculum Standards, making the field trips worthwhile to the teachers.

"It embodies what is 4-H, because it employs a ‘learn by doing’ approach," said Caudill.

The program started in 2003 with two schools participating and has quickly grown to eight schools including: Tamassee-Salem Elementary, Ravenel Elementary, Westminster Elementary, Fair-Oak Elementary, Northside Elementary, Orchard Park Elementary, Seneca Middle and Oakway Middle.

The field trips are one-day programs that are taught at the Piedmont Forestry Center, which is located near Salem off of Hwy 11.

Caudill found several collaborating partners to help with the program including S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Oconee County Council, which generously funds all of Caudill's programs, and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. Professionals from each of these organizations helped with this program from being instructors to donating resources and more.

Students are engaged with several hands-on learning activities. Fourth graders conduct a stream assessment to measure water quality; learn about forestry; play a game that teaches about predator and prey relationships; measure the weather; and learn about Native American culture during a powwow. Fifth graders conduct lessons on soils and wildlife. Caudill has been able to offer the program at minimal cost.

For more information, contact Caudill at caudill@clemson.edu or (864) 638-5889 ext. 116.

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