Nature of Teaching Program Receives Environmental Education Award

The Nature of Teaching, a Purdue Extension signature program, was honored as the third place finisher in the central region for the Environmental Education Award presented by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science (NEAFCS).

The Environmental Education Award recognizes NEAFCS members for outstanding educational programs conducted for families and/or communities on various environmental issues/concerns.

Nature of teaching workshop group photo.The Nature of Teaching includes formal standards-base curricula and informal activity-based curricula centered around getting youth outside. The program curricula is focused on three areas: Wildlife, Health and Wellness, and Food Waste. Classroom ready lesson plans for grades kindergarten through 12 are available as are professional development workshops for teachers, focused on science, the environment and getting students connected with nature.

“I’m very happy to have the Nature of Teaching team recognized by our professional association as many team members are also members of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences,” health and human sciences extension educator Kelsie Jo Muller said. “The Nature of Teaching team has developed over multiple years and added different discipline areas all working together. It’s great to see all of the hard work recognized.”
The Nature of Teaching team includes:
  • Deb Arseneau, HHS Educator, Newton County
  • Jarred Brooke, extension wildlife specialist
  • Jay Christiansen, health and human sciences extension educator for Vigo County
  • Robert Cordes, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) wildlife special projects coordinator
  • Molly Hoag, health and human sciences extension educator for Wells County
  • Molly Hunt, health and human sciences extension educator for Delaware County
  • Rebecca Koetz, urban ag/home horticulture extension educator for Lake County
  • Tami Mosier, 4-H youth development extension educator
  • Kelsie Muller, health and human sciences extension educator for Benton County
  • Dr. Rod Williams, professor and extension wildlife specialist
  • Brad Zischke, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) assistant regional wildlife biologist
All of the NEAFCS awards will be presented in September as part of the NEAFCS Virtual Annual Session.

Featured Stories

Alisa Tilson in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago
Making the world a better, and more walkable, place

Alisa Tilson (BS '96, Natural Resources and Environmental Science) works for CDOT’s...

Read More
honeycomb with honey
From Hive to Honey

Behind every jar of honey is a fascinating story of pollination, research, and hands-on learning....

Read More
man standing building lobby
Global economic modeling expert grows research program

Maksym Chepeliev, a leading international scholar recognized prominently for his work in...

Read More
Man stands in front of harvested field and grain bins
Inspired by opportunity, driven by purpose

In recent years attendees at Purdue Agriculture alumni, donor, and faculty and staff events have...

Read More
Jada Powlen
Behind the Research: Jada Powlen

People think grass is simple. Lawns, right? Mow regularly and add some water and fertilizer. What...

Read More
OISC logo
Indiana residents warned about illegal pesticide product

The Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) is warning Indiana residents about an illegal...

Read More