Environmental Education at the CEC

“Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.” -David Polis

At the Cloud Forest School (CEC), we are dedicated to the spirit of the above quote. With 106 acres of classroom space at our fingertips, we strive to offer our students the opportunity to become immersed in the natural world. We seek to inform, inspire, and empower them to build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and act for a better world in their present and future lives.

Environmental education at the CEC is firmly grounded in place-based education. Using our back yard as a springboard for investigating the social and natural communities that surround us, our students become more intricately connected to the land they call home. As a child-centered school, we believe in educating the whole person. Our environmental education program mirrors that philosophy; whether they are in the classroom or in the field, we consciously provide space for students to explore their thoughts and feelings, to develop their skills, and to expand their knowledge.

Goals of Environmental Education at the Cloud Forest School

1) Nurture a personal connection with, and respect for, the natural world. (K-3) (4-7) (8-11)
• Focus on local surroundings
• Spend time in nature: exploring, adventure, quiet time, class time
• Cultivate respect and appreciation for living and non-living things
• Learn basic components which make up biosphere and that support life
• Explore interconnectedness of all life and environments: human and natural

2) Build a solid base of knowledge about the processes, systems, and interactions that make up the natural world. (4-7) (8-11)
• Focus on local and national communities and ecosystems
• Investigate ecosystems and their unique natural processes and interactions
• Examine natural and human-caused changes to the environment
• Consider human behavior and nurture actions of personal responsibility
• Develop desire and provide opportunity to work for positive change via school and/or community projects

3) Increase awareness of past, present, and future issues of environmental and community sustainability. (8 – 11)
• Focus on local, national and global issues
• Identify similarities and differences in issues in Costa Rica and around the world
• Investigate and analyze causes and effects of human behaviors in a context of sustainable living
Cultivate the attitudes, values, and skills necessary to objectively identify and meet the challenges of today’s world and work towards the creation and maintenance of an ecologically sustainable society.