CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS focus upon developing deeper understandings of a single ecological concept, flowing in small steps from the concrete to the abstract level of understanding. Each activity requires from one to one and a half hours to complete.

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS are ideal program-building tools and can usually be conducted by one or two leaders per classroom group.

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS I
(For Ages 10-12)

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS I was developed and piloted over the course of five years as part of the Earthkeepers program. The following activities are included:

• "Munch Line Monitor" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Energy Flow
  The concept of energy flow comes to life at Mama Nature's Munch Room where Munch Line Monitors follow the flow of sunlight through a food chain.

• "The Great Spec-tackle" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Cycling
  Pinch a speck of a dinosaur; share a speck of water with Cleopatra; inhale a speck of air that Marco Polo breathed. Join representative specks (visible molecules) for their journey through the air, water and soil cycles.

• "Time Capsules" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Change
  Curious maps, buried time capsules, and intriguing artifacts reveal the secrets of change. Visit the Time Room to follow the footsteps of ancient ancestors as they move into the future. Travel with a soil speck on its journey through time.

• "Connection Inspection" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Interrelationships
  The interrelationships among living things are often difficult to see, but you can use the "connection scope locator," to spot the complicated webs which support all life on earth.

• "Home Sweet Home" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Community
  Join the Mayor and Judge Mopner to tour three natural communities and help Web-footed Bug Baggers, Tiny Buzzing Bloodsuckers, and Soft Fluttering Nectar Sippers search for a home. Participate in the courtroom drama when a marsh turns into a field. Examine the evidence presented and decide who must go to the morgue for recycling.

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS II
(For Ages 13-14)

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS II was designed as part of our SUNSHIP III program. The following activities are included:

• "Solarville" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Energy Flow
  Journey from the sun to earth, where you'll meet Mario, the pizza man of Solarville. discover the hidden energy involved when you order your own special pizza. A delicious way to find out where our energy comes from and how it is used.

• "The Cycle Factory" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Cycling
  Take part in the cycles that keep all life going by working to get air, water and soil to a tree to help it grow. A fast-paced, action-filled experience that brings natural cycles to life.

• "The Museum Project" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Change
  Help out a museum by unpacking old crates and reconstructing a long-forgotten exhibit. Fascinating objects and the need for some detective work provide a great way to bring the concept of change home.

• "Temple of SOL" -- Ecological Concept Focus: Interrelationships
  Visit the ruins of a people who lived long ago and left a story of their search for the interrelationships that tie all life together. Use their hieroglyphics to find out about these connections yourself. A touch of the past adds a magical spark that makes this an unusual adventure.

CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS SETS INCLUDE:

An introduction to earth education leadership techniques and a full script written in a "you are there" style, plus a complete set of photo-ready duplication masters all in a sturdy loose leaf binder. Both sets are available separately for those leaders who are using the template provided in Earth Education... A New Beginning to build their own earth education program.

What They're Saying About CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS:

From the moment the leader walks in as the mayor and welcomes everyone, the students are hooked. From then on it's a fun and exciting learning experience. More than this, by the time the courtroom scenario plays out each student understands the concept of community. As a leader I have more fun doing "Home Sweet Home" than any other activity. It's a blast!

• Eric Young
  earth educator
  Long Island, New York

Please Note: CONCEPTUAL ENCOUNTERS may be ordered directly from The Institute for Earth Education by calling or writing the address below or by requesting an Earth Education Sourcebook using our Information Request Form.