In August, 1998, four Chinese scholars, three from the Second Middle School attached to the Beijing Normal University and the state Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) traveled to CGEE. The trip was funded by a UNDP-funded project which aims at helping teachers to infuse environmental education into their classrooms. They arrived here eager to learn about environmental education in Minnesota and the US, and the methods being used to teach about the environment.

The participants included Duan Hongxia, a geography teacher, Lee Wenyan, a philosophy and sociology teacher, Cao Zhihua, a chemistry teacher, and Zhao Ying, a member of the EPA in the Communications Division. The month long program consisted of a series of courses examining the development of EE in MN and the US, EE methods and Inquiry, Environmental Issues, water quality testing, integrating various disciplines into EE, service learning projects, distance education and using computer technology in EE, and arts in EE.

Courses were held in a variety of locations and with a number of CGEE partners such as the Audubon Center of the North Woods, Eco-Education, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Click here for a copy of the full agenda. In addition, the group also visited various organizations that are involved with EE in the state, including the Minnesota Zoo, the Univeristy of Minnesota-Duluth, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency in Duluth, UnderWater World and the Lake Superior Center.

(Left: Duan, Lee, and Suzanne Shepard enjoy a Saint Paul Saints baseball game.)

During the month the group experienced some typical American pastimes such as baseball (see photo), movies, and a street music festival. We also traveled to the north shore area of Lake Superior and exposed the scholars to the 'wilder' side of Minnesota. While at the north shore we did some hiking and experienced another aspect of environmental education: environmental interpretation.

To read what each of the group said about their experiences here, click on the following names: Duan Hongxia, Lee Wenyan, Cao Zhihua, and Zhao Ying.

Following this workshop, the group will be involved in teaching EE methods to other educators in China under the UNDP funded project. Dr. Murphy traveled to Beijing and Chengdu to participate in two teacher workshops in November, 1998.