The Earth Force Framework
The Earth Force Framework
The Earth Force framework underpins all of Earth Force's programs. Local Earth Force offices and affiliates support this framework primarily in the classroom. Earth Force educators receive training and ongoing support in the Earth Force problem-solving framework. Local support from staff helps educators connect to the community and create hands-on learning experiences for youth around environmental improvement projects.
Support offered to Earth Force educators includes:
- Ongoing training, networking and professional development opportunities
- Program materials for educators and youth
- Site visits as needed
- Help with lesson planning, field trip coordination and other activities
- An annual local summit to exhibit achievements and celebrate successes
- A local network of experts and community resources participants can tap into to make their projects a success
- Formal program evaluation
- Recertification or other professional development credits (where available)
Examples of action projects students take on:
- Conducting an energy audit of the school and creating new school policies that reduce energy usage and costs
- Bringing curb-side recycling service to a new community
- Working with the city to install more trash cans in a park to reduce littering
- Conducting a community education campaign to reduce pollution
The Six Steps of Earth Force:
- Community Environmental Inventory: Identify local, community environmental problems and related community information.
- Issue Selection: Select an environmental issue for further study from several choices. Research the issue, narrow and refine its definition.
- Policy and Community Practice Research: Identify and analyze relevant public and private policies and community practices. Examine who makes policy and how.
- Options for Influencing Policy and Practice: Identify possible project options for affecting change in policy or practice and select one.
- Planning and Taking Civic Action: Develop and implement the plan of action.
- Looking Back and Ahead: Assess the project and process. Identify next steps to address the problem. Celebrate successes.