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What is MSEEP?
The SFPUC initiated the Middle School Environmental Education Program to help educate this youth segment with the critical thinking skills necessary for them to make informed consumer choices that they will soon be facing as young adults and beyond. We want to help educate them on how to think, and not what to think.
Students will be presented with real-life information that will help them understand that everyone is connected to, and relies on water.
Classroom presentations can also provide your students with an opportunity to learn about new and varied career choices that are available to them at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.
MSEEP classroom presentations include the following topics in the discussion:
- The Hydrologic water cycle
- Water pollution prevention
- Storm water pollution prevention
- Watershed protection
- Water conservation
Why should I consider the MSEEP for my students?
The SFPUC supports the concept of teaching students about the natural and built environment through environmental education. By providing a real-world link from the classroom to their community, students engaged in active learning that enhances their comprehension and awareness about the environment helps them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills.
Environmentally knowledgeable students grow to be citizens who evaluate various sides of an environmental issue and make responsible decisions as individuals and as members of their community.
Environmental education improves everyday life and helps to protect human health by teaching about stewardship and protection of natural resources.
The MSEEP curriculum includes activities compiled from existing environmental curricula including Water Education Foundation’s Project WET, California Coastal Commission’s Save Our Seas, and the California Integrated Waste Management’s No Waste Anthology. Current events/topics are discussed in the classroom, as well. This informs students about real-life environmental situations and solutions. To compliment the discussion, the presenter will also provide you and your students with posters and other environmental educational materials.
What other educational opportunities are available for my students?
To complement the MSEEP classroom presentation, San Francisco students can also take part in a tour of one of our wastewater treatment plants, which are located in the Bayview and Outer Sunset Districts. These wastewater treatment plant tours help to bring the concept of the hydrological water cycle, water pollution prevention and water conservation to life for your students. During the tour students will see just how important the hydrologic water cycle is to our daily lives. Students will learn first-hand, how wastewater is treated and is made clean enough to put back into the environment.
To enhance the students understanding of the biology of water, students get an opportunity to learn first-hand from a resident marine biologist about what they do, and how they do it. Students will work with the biologist to learn how to use a Dichotomous Key to identify aquatic species.
Want to take your students to the San Francisco Zoo?
When you sign up for a tour of the Oceanside Wastewater Treatment Plant, teachers can also request to tour the San Francisco Zoo afterwards. FIND more information on how to sign up for tours.
The San Francisco Zoo also offers middle school students with an opportunity to work behind the scenes and volunteer in the San Francisco Zoo Crew Program.
How can I get more information?
Contact Catania Galvan by email at cgalvan@sfwater.org or by telephone, 415-695-7341.
