DEP's Environmental Education Program (LIFE) Reaches Milestone

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Learning in Florida’s Environment (LIFE) Program, recently reached a major milestone, just four years after starting the program. Through the LIFE program, more than 5,000 students and teachers now have more scientific knowledge and a greater understanding of Florida’s natural environment.

{sidebar id=1}“Educating more than 5,000 students and teachers statewide is an important and significant accomplishment for such a young program,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “The LIFE program is not a curriculum, but a process that builds on lessons learned over decades of scientific research, going beyond the traditional field trip, beyond classroom walls, allowing students to explore Florida’s unique natural communities and gain a broader understanding of their environment and the importance of protecting it.”

Started in 2004, the LIFE program now includes 12 sites around the state, with the 13th site to begin in Columbia County this month, making it the single largest field-based, middle-school, environmental science program in the state.

LIFE program sites include:

1.    Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (Franklin County)

2.    Wakulla Springs State Park (Wakulla County)

3.    Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Columbia County)

4.    Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (St. Johns County)

5.    St. Sebastian River State Park (Indian River County)

6.    Savannas Preserve State Park (St. Lucie County)

7.    Honeymoon Island State Park (Pinellas County)

8.    Leon Sinks Geological Area (Leon County

9.    Florida Caverns State Park (Jackson County)

10.  North Florida Community College (Madison County)

11.  Werner Boyce Salt Spring State Park (Pasco County)

12.  Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park (Okaloosa County)

13.  Lake City (Columbia) starting in January 2009

“By reaching 5,000 students and teachers over the last four years, we are achieving our goals to increase student achievement in science and build local environmental stewardship while at the same time increasing the likelihood that underserved and underrepresented students will pursue coursework, degrees and careers in science,” said DEP’s Director of Environmental Education Greg Ira. “When students actually see and touch the resources they are learning about, it often helps them understand complex scientific concepts, value of our natural resources, and, hopefully, become better stewards of our environment.”

The LIFE program with its combination of field-based learning for students and continuous professional development for teachers provides both immediate and long-term benefits for partner schools.

Prior to each field experience students are given a ten question test about the topics covered in the upcoming field labs and then retested following the outdoor activities to see if an increase in understanding took place.  Based on initial data from LIFE program sites during the 2005-2007 period, student post test scores increased by an average of 60%.

Students are also surveyed to learn how the program influences their attitudes and behavior toward the environment. For example, last year, more than 69 percent of students surveyed either agreed with or strongly agreed with the statement that, “The outdoor field activities have made me more interested in science.” In addition, teachers provide feedback to determine the extent to which the program meets its own goals of strengthening science instruction among participating teachers. Results from the 2007-2008 school year indicate that nearly 93 percent of teachers agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “The LIFE Program and its associated professional development opportunities have increased my ability to teach science effectively.”

Recognizing the success of the initiative, the LIFE program received two national awards.  The program received first place in 2007 for the “Gulf Guardian Award for Youth/Education” presented by the Gulf of Mexico Program as well as a “Coastal America Award” presented by the Coastal America Partnership that recognizes partnerships between state and federal agencies involved in Coastal Resource Management around the country.  

What makes the LIFE Program really stand out is the fact that it is the first statewide network of field sites all following a set of best practices related to science and environmental education outside of the classroom.  By establishing a set of ten guiding principles to promote program quality and continuity (and still leave room for local needs and conditions) the LIFE program created a franchise for science-based experiential environmental education for schools on public lands in Florida. This approach opens up the possibility of continued expansion of the program as well as participation from other government agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations involved in conservation, resource management, the environment and science education. For more information about the LIFE program including opportunities to sponsor or support a LIFE program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/ed .

Photos courtesy of Mary Katherine Westmark

This article originally published on January 10, 2009.

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