Incentives, Policies, and Economic Choices Affecting The "Commons"
Audience: social studies
and science teachers (or interdisciplinary teams) grades 7-12
Guiding questions: How
does our well-being depend on common access resources such as air,
water, and cultural knowledge? What are the impacts of various economic
policies on the "commons"? Summary:
This workshop explores the "Commons"--water, atmosphere,
cultural knowledge, and other public resources--and their critical
role in supporting democracy and environmental sustainability.
Participants examine the value of the Commons and use democratic
principles to assess the impacts of privatization, user fees,
subsidies, taxes, and other policies.
Teachers gain knowledge, instructional strategies, and curriculum
they can use in the classroom. Activities:
- Participate in a simulation that
shows how the "Commons" support our well-being.
- Assess the value of ecosystem services
such as air- and water purification.
- Assess the environmental and social
impacts of privatization, subsidies, taxes, public trusts,
and other policies.
- Select policies that advance democratic
principles and sustainability.
Identify the social and environmental impacts of school
or community policies.
- Download a
sample lesson.
|
 Teacher Patty Disbrow
adds another 'cow' to a common field in a simulation that
explores the impacts of economic policies on resources. |
Economic Production and Natural
Capital
Audience:
social studies and science teachers (or interdisciplinary teams)
grades 5-12
Guiding question:
What are the environmental and social impacts of producing,
using, and disposing of everyday products?
Summary: This session
presents content and teaching strategies to address the links between
production, consumption, and the natural systems that support them.
Teachers gain knowledge, instructional strategies, and curriculum
they can use in the classroom. Activities:
- Map the 'lifecycle' of everyday
items.
- Experience the environmental impacts
of manufacturing through a simulation (pictured)
- Evaluate case studies of 'green'
manufacturing .
- Develop criteria for environmentally-friendly
products.
- Identify hidden assumptions in
conventional economic models.
- Educate peers about the impacts
of consumer decisions.
- Download a
sample lesson.
|
|
Indicators and Economic Measurement
Audience: teachers grades
6-12 Guiding questions: How
can we measure progress toward developing a more just and sustainable
society? What are the limitations of the Gross Domestic Product
as an indicator of well-being?
Summary: This session examines
indicators of economic, environmental, and social well-being.
Teachers gain knowledge, instructional strategies, and curriculum
they can use in the classroom. Activities:
- Map the social and environmental
impacts of economic growth.
- Evaluate the relationship among
social, environmental, and economic well-being
- Find out why the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) is all smiles about oil spills--and what
this says about our economy!
- Develop a 'community report card'
to measure progress against indicators you develop.
- Download a
sample lesson.
|
|
|
