Hannah McMillin

For my leadership role in UMR’s Ecoliteracy Students Collaborating in Health-Oriented Outdoor Learning (SCHOOL) class, I was the ‘Partners in Learning’ connections facilitator with a local third-grade class. This entailed looking at what types of activities are best for helping third-grade students engage with important concepts of Ecoliteracy. To introduce myself to the third-grade class, I sent an introductory letter that included a simple activity of drawing their favorite tree and writing either what the tree was called or what they think it should be called. After arranging a time that I could visit the class in-person, I created a nature scavenger hunt that was based on the five senses and a short presentation about invasive species in Minnesota. When I visited the class, I went through the presentation first and then facilitated the nature scavenger hunt with the class. Ecoliteracy is an important concept to introduce to young children as it fosters an excitement for future learning and encourages eco- conscious behaviors. Exploring the link between invasive species and public health shows the interconnectedness between ecological balance and human well-being. Some invasive species can cause allergies, exacerbate respiratory issues, contribute to the spread of diseases and destroy animal habitats which can have direct or indirect effects on public health.