Environmental Mindfulness Education Project

An environmental mindfulness education endeavor for middle childhood students during the Tranquility Project, EvA Project and Adversity Vision Board Project completion periods. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental education as “a process that allows individuals  to explore environmental issues, engage in problem-solving, and take  action to improve the environment.” 

Environmental education sessions for adolescents include information with regard to activities that promote environmentally sound behaviors as noted on https://www.rubicon.com/blog/environmental-education-for-kids/: 

Educating adolescents about environmental matters can help them develop  sustainable habits that are likely to remain with them throughout  their adult lives.  Even small actions have large impacts over time. Some simple sustainable habits can be performed at any age:

• Recycling
• Bringing reusable bags to shop
• Turning water off while brushing teeth
• Keeping lights off when not in use
• Using reusable glass water bottles
   
• Involve adolescents in the selection and preparation of foods and  teach them to make healthy choices by providing opportunities to do so.

•  Select foods with nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fiber when possible.
   
• Control portion sizes and eating non-processed foods, which will help limit calorie intake and increase nutrients.
   
• Provide recommended serving sizes for adolescents.
   
• Limit adolescents' video, television  watching, and computer use to less than 2 hours daily and replace the  sedentary activities with activities that require more movement.
   
• Adolescents need at least 60 minutes of moderate to  vigorous physical activity on most days for maintenance of good health  and fitness and for healthy weight during growth.
   
• To prevent dehydration, encourage adolescents to drink fluid, from glass or stainless steel containers,  regularly during physical activity and drink several glasses of water or  other fluid after the physical activity has been completed.