"Activity is the key when teaching kids about the environment," says Maribeth Crandell. "If they're involved physically, emotionally and mentally they'll 'get it.'" Crandell encourages adults who work with kids to learn experiential teaching techniques "for the kid in all of us."
Recently, Crandell has been getting some hands-on experience as environmental educator for the City of Oak Harbor. In October she teamed with WSU Waste Wise Volunteers to offer Junior Waste Wise training as an after-school enrichment program at Broadview Elementary School. The curriculum included kid-friendly activities and demonstrations such as a Recycle Relay, Stuff Swap and "garbology" field study.
Crandell comes from a background of similar educational activities at the city, state and national park level, with Whidbey Watershed Stewards and with Island County Recycling.
