D-Term 2009-10 Environment

Theme: Environment
 
D-Term is an interdisciplinary and experiential service learning project that takes place in the final year of Middle School.  Each year, a topic is chosen for the St. Stephen’s 8th Grade Students to study in depth. One of St. Stephen's goals is to help create responsible global citizens who value social justice.  Before one can be a good global citizen, one must first learn how to be a good local citizen. This year the eighth graders have studied the environment in depth. They focused on Austin's environmental issues and the local organizations that help to protect the environment.
 
 
hich to participate.   Assignments ("task groups") within the groups are:
 
Reporters, Web-Designers, Photographers, Power Point Creators, Presentation Coordinators and Artists
 
The students spent the entire semester in research through reading, personal interviews and volunteer service. The topic of the environment has been integrated into every class. Beginning in September, we had a special speaker series in chapel where leaders from the community came and shared their view points and experiences with regards to protecting the environment iin Austin.  After completing the research portion of the project, students then spent two days volunteering with various local non profit organizations in town. At the end of the project, each of the six groups prepared and made a presentation about their specific aspect of the environment.