Groundswell Summer Institute shows how civic education connects to environmental stewardship
Marshall Kilgore, Grand Rapids city commissioner, participates in a panel discussion during the Groundswell Summer Institute. (Cory Morse)
The Groundswell Summer Institute focused on how care of your community can serve as the beginning of a student’s journey into civic education.
For three days in late July, 40 K-12 teachers who will be part of the Groundswell program this school year participated, learning about experiential place-based stewardship education. The institute is an annual workshop that leads participants through the six elements of a Place-Based Stewardship Education project to give teachers a head start on an idea they can implement.
Groundswell partnered with the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE) to enhance the workshop, which took place both on Grand Valley’s City Campus and at C.A. Frost Elementary School in Grand Rapids. Ellen Zwarensteyn, MCCE's executive director, moderated a panel discussion that included state and local elected officials who shared insights on ways students can use or influence the governmental process to make positive change.
“The Groundswell Summer Institute always serves as a great kickoff to the upcoming year,” said Vicky Wright, assistant director, Center for Educational Partnerships. “The panel discussion highlighted how place-based stewardship education can empower students and teachers to engage with local decision makers, helping them understand that informed civic participation can strengthen their communities while demonstrating that their voices can influence positive change."
Groundswell is housed in GVSU’s Center for Educational Partnerships and creates opportunities for hands-on environmental exploration and learning through professional learning opportunities, project support and meaningful partnerships.
The elected officials and leaders who participated in the panel discussion were State Rep. Carol Glanville; Grand Rapids City Commissioners Lisa Knight, Milinda Ysasi and Marshall Kilgore; Annie Whitlock, associate professor of history and Lowell School Board trustee; and Julie Batty, Blandford Nature Center land stewardship manager.
Community partners assisting during the institute were the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Plaster Creek Stewards, Calvin Ecosystem and Preserve and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds.
— William Herbst is an academic affairs communications director.