The recipients of the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators and the President’s Environmental Youth Award for 2024 were announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Shari Insley, a fifth-grade environmental science teacher at Pine Intermediate School in North Olmstead, Ohio, has been honored with the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. Boasting of 18 years of teaching experience, Insley places great importance on creating dynamic and engaging learning environments for her students.
Insley’s students engage in practical learning experiences by participating in outdoor activities, research projects, and working closely with local experts.
Insley, along with her colleagues, established the North Olmsted Middle School Water Guardians Project. This initiative enables students to conduct research and analyze water samples using scientific equipment, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in environmental science and conservation.
Students are given the opportunity to engage in outdoor studies where they work alongside field experts, educators, and professionals. These individuals not only encourage them to ask questions but also foster their natural curiosity.
Insley not only leads this project but also organizes a field trip to the Stone Laboratory at Ohio State University. Located in the western basin of Lake Erie, the laboratory is a hub where scientists share their knowledge with students and engage in discussions about issues that are pertinent to the Lake Erie ecosystem.
The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 established the PIAEE award, which aims to acknowledge, endorse, and highlight exceptional environmental projects accomplished by educators who surpass textbook instruction to integrate innovative techniques and materials that enhance K-12 student learning. The administration of this award is carried out by the CEQ in collaboration with the EPA.
