Franklin County Conservation District

Education Programs

Earth Awareness Researchers for Tomorrow's Habitat (EARTH)

Mission: To provide youth with innovative, experimental learning opportunities that highlight the relationships and interdependence of our natural resources and encourage the development of skills that will help our local children become wise stewards of their environment.    

Purpose: E.A.R.T.H. is a yearlong middle school environmental education program. E.A.R.T.H provides research-based, hands-on curriculum and supply kits to local schools. At the end of the school year E.A.R.T.H. sponsors a student festival/workshop day for all participants to attend. This program is available at no cost to the school or teachers who participate. E.A.R.T.H. provides rich, hands-on science materials to middle school students across Kansas. Research shows that 90% of students are more likely to remember and be able to apply skills and knowledge when they experience things first hand; while only 10-15% of students remember things they read or have been told. Local school district officials and environmental leaders found middle schools less well served than elementary or high schools with supportive science and environmental programs. Based on the recommendations of this education advisory group, the E.A.R.T.H. Steering Committee developed an Award Winning* curriculum book for teachers choosing to participate in this great program. * E.A.R.T.H. received the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Communicators Award in 2000.  

Teachers who participate in EARTH receive a curriculum book and supply kit. The kit has $500 worth of supplies to complete all 25 lessons in the curriculum book. In the spring an E.A.R.T.H Festival Day is held with professionals from various environmental departments who come together to present demonstrations that engage the students in hands on applications of lessons learned throughout the school year. Two great things about E.A.R.T.H. are that it is FREE to participate in and all lessons are matched to State Standards and Benchmarks! E.A.R.T.H. is funded through EPA Section 319 Non point Source Pollution Control Grant, administered through Kansas Department of Health and Environment Franklin County E.A.R.T.H. started in 2004 with the West Franklin, Central Heights and Wellsville School Districts. In 2005 Ottawa Middle School was added to the program and in 2006 Sacred Heart began participating in the program as well. We had 336 students participate in the E.A.R.T.H. program during the 2006-07 school year. Log onto www.earthkansas.org to learn more.

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