LS&Co. Unzipped

Jun 07 2011

Changing the World, One Student at a Time

You’ve seen the headlines.

Across the United States and beyond, education cuts continue to erode programs and services in public schools. As a result, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for students of all ages to acquire the knowledge and tools necessary to confront the looming social, economic, and environmental burdens they’re likely to inherit. We face an uncertain future, and now, more than ever, applied learning is key.

Recognizing these realities, my close friend and colleague, Ryland King, had an idea: Empower the very students faced with such uncertainty to work with one another, and lay the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.

Ryland is a 21-year old undergraduate at the University of California at Santa Barbara. In 2009, as a sophomore, he founded Environmental Education for the Next Generation – EENG. The program links teams of college students with first and second graders in Santa Barbara for weekly activities and experiments meant to foster critical thinking about the world we live in. Ryland believes this youth-to-youth mentorship and encouragement will play a vital role in developing future leaders who understand and appreciate the importance of evironmental sustainability.

The elementary school students EENG works with not only learn basic environmental science, but also are exposed to young, enthusiastic college students who encourage them to share their thoughts and question the world around them. The benefit is mutual, as the college student-instructors are inspired not only by the infectious eagerness of the youngsters to learn, but also by their unfiltered—and often deeply insightful—questions and concerns.

The community agrees, and it recently voted Ryland the winner of the $100,000 grand prize in the Dockers® Wear the Pants Project. He rallied more than 5,200 votes in a single week to win the prize.

Now, Ryland and his team of 5 directors and more than 65 volunteer instructors—all of whom are college students—are poised to bring their program across California and beyond. They’ve seen firsthand that when children are enthusiastic and informed about the issues that affect their everyday lives, they are incredibly powerful agents of change.  By teaching youth to think differently about the relationship between humans and the natural world, the EENG team aims to promote environmental stewardship as widely as possible, from the youngest members of society up.

As we all work to expand the organization Ryland hatched just 2 years ago, we’re calling on everyone to continue to help us make this dream a reality—to shape future leaders who will redefine the way we, as a society, consider and interact with the environment. 

We want to hear from you!

If you’d like more information about EENG, or if you have questions, comments, or suggestions for the team, please visit www.facebook.com/eengonline and post your thoughts to our wall.

Our biggest asset is community, and we’d love to have you be a part of our movement.

Images: Spencer Sheehan

Posted By: Nick Allen, EENG Director of Organizational Development
	Tags: Dockers®,Dockers®,Social Responsibility

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Mary Ellen (not verified) - Jun 09 2011
WOW! I am so pleased to read about the EENG program, its purpose and successes. The benefits of the works of this organization will go beyond the elementary school students' environmental learning and awareness. BOTH groups of students will acquire valuable life lessons and skills outside of the practical ones. All my best thoughts and energy go out to them.

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