Education Programs
Education is a priority of DHEC's Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling (Office). Four of its centerpiece education programs are listed below. To learn more about the programs, sponsors and related topics, click on the links provided.
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"Action for a cleaner tomorrow: A South Carolina Environmental Curriculum Supplement" ("Action") is a national award-winning kindergarten through 12th grade, activity-based, interdisciplinary curriculum supplement. Developed by teachers and the Office in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Education and others, "Action" can serve as a starting place for introducing basic environmental education in the classroom. The curriculum supplement is correlated to the state's science standards. "Action" is available only as part of a three-hour training provided by the Office. To organize a training, click on the "Action" links provided.
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"Action in the classroom" talks "trash" with fifth grade students and provides an overview of recycling in South Carolina. The basics of what happens when you throw something away, and 3 R's - reduce, reuse and recycle - are covered, as well as buy recycled. The lesson "My Bag" from "Action for a cleaner tomorrow" is taught and many examples of what can and should be recycled are shown. To have "Action in the classroom" come to your fifth grade class, click here.
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Take Action Today is a one-day comprehensive environmental education workshop customized for South Carolina's teachers. The 2008 workshop, which will be held in Columbia on June 25, will provide a variety of information,material and ideas. Sessions include how to set up or improve a recycling program at your school, the health and environmental impacts of open burning and a blitz session on how to use "Action for a cleaner tomorrow: A South Carolina Environmental Curriculum Supplement." Click here to register for the workshop.
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The Green Driver Project targets students in high school driver education classes and provides an overview of the environmental impact of driving - lessons that will last a lifetime. Students learn the importance of used oil recycling, related air, water and energy issues regarding the proper maintenance of their vehicles, litter prevention and safety through a new video, "DHEC1: Behind the Oil Change." The Green Rider Project is a similar program targeting younger students.
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"Earth Today," "Trashumentary" and "DHEC1: Behind the Oil Change" are videos developed by the Office and other DHEC Environmental Outreach Programs.
- "Earth Today" is a half-hour program that features student anchors and reporters in a network morning news format. The program, based on the "Today Show," NBC's popular morning news program, provides segments on a variety of environmental issues including air and water quality, energy conservation, recycling and litter prevention. "Earth Today" also features 21 lessons for students from the third to eighth grade. Each of the lessons has been correlated to the state's science standards and includes an overview, background, lesson plans and links to additional information. To learn more about the program, click here.
- Ever visit a landfill? Or a recycling or composting facility? An incinerator? Elementary and middle school students can visit all of these solid waste management facilities without leaving the classroom. "Trashumentary" is a 20-minute video that features visits to each of these facilities with students asking questions to the people who work there.
- DHEC1: Behind the Oil Change" chronicles the rise, fall and redemption of Dawson Leary, an environmentally conscious high school student, who is caught illegally dumping used motor oil into a storm drain. This 14-minute video mimics the popular teen television programs "VH1: Behind the Music" and "Dawson's Creek." The video is the centerpiece for the "Green Driver Project" mentioned above.
To receive a copy of a video on VHS tape or DVD, contact the Office's Resource Center by calling 1-800-768-7348 or click here.
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For more information about recycling in South Carolina, please call 1-800-768-7348.
This Web page was last updated on April 1, 2008.