ECOLOGY/ ENERGY/ ENVIRONMENT

American Coal Foundation

Power From Coal
(Gr. 7-9):
"To help your class learn more about America's most abundant energy source-- coal."

* 8 pg TG
* 20 pg student booklets with activity pages

Commercial and incomplete with some inaccuracies and strong bias toward coal. Promotes the use of coal and teaches that coal is an abundant and inexpensive energy source with few problems. Downplays the negative effects of CO₂ emissions and contribution to global warming and suggests that perhaps "the earth could benefit rather than be harmed from increased carbon dioxide..."

American Forest Foundation

Project Learning Tree
(Gr. K-8):
"To help kids learn how to think about complex local and global environmental issues."

* 416 pg TG w/reproducible activity masters
* Folder about program

Not commercial and generally objective (some bias toward managed forestry). Around for more than 20 years, program makes clear that trees, forests, and forest products are important, but doesn't hype the forest industry. Some of its decision-making activities stack the deck in favor of managed forestry as a land-use option, implying that people can have it all-- resources (lumber), jobs, land for recreation, and wildlife habitat, but basically unbiased.

American Gas Association
with National Energy Foundation
Bound into Science Scope (1/94)

Natural Gas and the Environment
(All grades):
To help students understand why "of the three fossil fuels, natural gas may be considered the ideal fuel."

Poster kit with
* 8 pg TG
* 5 reproducible activity masters
Supplement to article in Science Scope

Commercial and incomplete with strong bias toward natural gas. Basically an ad for natural gas, touting it as the energy source of choice for safety and environmental reasons without mentioning non-fossil fuel alternatives, offering any serious discussion of its drawbacks, or suggesting the need to reduce energy demands.

Aseptic Packaging Council
Poster developed by Scholastic Inc.; book cover by Cover Concepts

Waste Wise
(All grades):
To provide students with the tools they need to explore solid-waste management options.

* Brochure
* Poster
* Decals
* Book covers
* 44 pg TG with 5 reproducible activity masters

Commercial, inaccurate, and incomplete with strong bias toward drink boxes. Promotes drink boxes as a desirable form of packaging. Erroneously implies that drink boxes are compostable and easily recycled without mentioning that most communities don't have recycling programs to handle them.

California's Fresh Grape Farmers (California
Table Grape Commission)

Project Environment
Poster and Essay Contest Kit
(Gr. 4-6):
To encourage students "to depict in an essay or poster how they can be part of the solution to protecting the environment by conserving the earth's resources."

* Letter to Food Service Director
* Contest posters
* 4 pg TG
* Camera-ready artwork
* Conservation guide
* Reproducible informational sheets, contest rules, entry form
* Grape recipes

Low-commercialism but incomplete with bias toward grape farming. Teaches that nature is everywhere -- but doesn't point out that people's use of the land can foul or unalterably change the natural habitat, displacing and/or killing off many plants and animals. Includes two recipes that call for "California seedless grapes." Sponsor's logo and name placed discreetly on all materials.

DuPont Company

Less Is More -- Learning About Source Reduction
(MS):
To explore how better package design could reduce the solid waste problem.

Poster kit with
* 4 pg TG
* Student activity
handout idea

Objective. Not commercial. Stresses the two main conservation "R's"--reduce and repair. The DuPont logo appears on the teaching guide but not the poster; it doesn't push DuPont products.

Exxon Education Foundation
with National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

Exxon Energy Cube
(MS/HS):
"To help students better understand the scientific principles underlying real-world energy choices and the social implications of those choices."

Boxed kit with
* 9 video programs
* 24 student activities
* 16 research assignments
* 170 data files
* 4 posters
* Simulation game
* 374 pg TG and cross-reference index

Low commercialism but incomplete, with some inaccuracies and bias toward views of fossil fuel industry. Presents assertions and viewpoints as facts. Glosses over potential problem areas, and as such implies there are completely effective methods of dealing with oil spills and strip-mining. Statements of facts are overly general, at times superficial, (fossil fuels referred to as "stored solar energy") and the focus of the program is unclear. Exxon's logo discreetly displayed on all materials; its products are not pushed.

McDonald's
Developed by Conservation International

The Rain Forest Imperative
(Gr. 6-12):
"Presents the reasons for deforestation and the many issues complicating its solution."

* Video
* 14 pg TG
Also available from McDonald's: Save the Rain Forest poster which was produced jointly with World Wildlife Fund and also disassociates McDonald's from practice of using rain forest beef.

Low commercialism but self-serving. Sponsor's purpose seems to have been to quell perception that it uses rain forest beef. Video is U.S.-centric, blaming local greedy people and governments for deforestation without examining inhabitants' needs to earn a living.

McDonald's
with Field Museum of Natural History

Environmental Action Pack
(Ages 7-12):
"To help students gain an understanding of these [environmental] issues and help them find ways to participate -- now and in the future."

* 11 reproducible activity masters
* Reproducible certificate
* Two 6 pg TGs, one for language arts/social studies and one for life science
* Letter to educator

Low commercialism but incomplete with bias toward recycling as answer to solid waste problem. Solid waste lessons emphasize recycling and neglect conservation of resources; when reduction is touched on, reducing the use of throw-away plates and packaging conspicuously absent. McDonald's logo is displayed on all materials, but its products not pushed.

National Energy Foundation
with American Gas Association and Natural Gas Vehicle Association
Bound into Science Scope
(11/94)

Natural Gas Vehicles: The Road to Clean Air
(Gr. 4-12):
"To introduce Natural Gas Vehicles to students."

Poster kit with
* 6 pg TG
* 2 reproducible activity sheets
Supplement to Science Scope article

Commercial and incomplete with bias toward NGVs. Basically an ad for natural gas and NGVs. Compares NGVs to traditional vehicles but not to other alternate fuel vehicles. Claims natural gas is safe because it dissipates in cases of leaks-- this is untrue, it can and often does explode. Refers to natural gas as "domestic" and all other oil as "foreign."

National Energy Foundation
with American Gas Association

The Science of Flames
(Gr. 4-6):
". . . intended to generate an interest in the study of flames and to motivate students to do additional investigation and research."

* Poster
* 12 pg TG

Commercial, incomplete, and biased. Focus is squarely on uses of natural gas -- no mention of fossil fuels, little mention of other energy sources. Title suggests focus will be on fire, instead it's on natural gas. Encourages teachers to contact local gas company for a free, in-class demonstration of gas use. Overall tone is to promote the use of natural gas and/or provide publicity for gas companies.

National Live Stock & Meat Board

Caretakers All
(Gr. 3-4):
"To help teach third and fourth grade students the principles of good 'caretaking.'"

* 6 over-sized study prints
* 12 reproducible activity masters
* 32 pg TG
* Evaluation form

Commercial and incomplete with bias toward farming and ranching industry. Teaches that farmers and ranchers take good care of environment; whitewashes adverse environmental effects of farming and ranching (water pollution from animal wastes, pesticides, fertilizers, and silt; land desecration; soil erosion; air pollution).

NK Lawn & Garden
Developed by Scholastic Inc.

Lessons to Grow On
(Gr. K-6):
". . . offers you products and projects which can make science and ecology come alive for every student in the class. . ."

* Poster
* 4 pg TG with 4 activities
* Parent/child subscription form for gardening newsletter
* Catalog with order form

Highly commercial--blatant attempt to get teachers, kids, parents to buy NK seeds. NK seeds suggested for activities; kids used as vehicles to get parents to buy the newsletter.

Northeast Utilities and others
Developed by Enterprise for Education*
* According to copyright, developer is "solely responsible for the content of its materials." (Northeast Utilities is one of several sponsors that makes Enterprise materials available to schools free of charge.)

The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
(MS/HS):
To help students "evaluate information about global warming."

* 16 pg student booklet
* 8 pg TG w/one reproducible quiz

Not commercial but incomplete with some bias for use of fossil fuels. Acknowledges that fossil fuel use and production are major sources of greenhouse gases, but suggests that global warming may not be a serious problem and may not be occurring. Presents arguments from industry, environmentalists, and the scientific community, but doesn't acknowledge which sector supports which argument; students would have difficulty judging the efficacy of the opposing arguments.

Polystyrene Packaging Council
Endorsed by NSSA

The Plastics and the Environment Sourcebook
(Gr. K-12):
"To provide school children hands-on experiences with plastics."

32 pg teacher resource book with
* Classroom activities
* Listing of available curriculum materials

Highly commercial and incomplete with strong bias toward polystyrene packaging. Teaches that plastics are great and easily recycled. Fails to mention that most plastics are not recyclable because the markets aren't there. The disadvantages of plastics and how plastic compares with other packaging materials not covered.

Procter & Gamble

Planet Patrol
(Gr. 4-6):
To "help students consider the environmental impact of products they use and of decisions they make or influence."

* Poster
* 4 reproducible activity masters
* Reproducible parent take-home sheet
* Overhead visuals
* 16 pg TG

Highly commercial and incomplete with strong bias in presenting issues related to its products and packaging. Presents sponsor as environmentally responsible. Teaches that disposable diapers are sound ecologically because they can be composted; omits fact that most landfills don't compost diapers. Ignores concept of reducing waste by reducing consumption. Downy fabric softener pictured in several places on poster.

S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. with Smithsonian Institute and USEPA
Print materials developed by Scholastic Inc.

Living Planet
(Gr. 6-12):
To sharpen "students understanding of our wondrous `living planet' and inspire them to accept individual and collective responsibility for its preservation."

* Video
* Poster with TG and 3 reproducible masters on back

Basically objective and not commercial. Doesn't plug or picture any S.C. Johnson products and sponsor's name used minimally. Film mainly inspirational, to get across the wonder of our living planet and promote wise use; doesn't bring up issue of preservation.

Steel Can Recycling Institute with American Iron & Steel Institute
Developed by Lifetime Learning Systems

Steel -- America's Most Recycled Material
(Gr. 5-8):
"To raise student awareness of the urgent need to recycle all renewable materials and of the benefits of using and conserving steel -- one of the most environmentally friendly materials."

* Poster
* 5 reproducible activity masters
* 4 pg TG folder
* Recycling brochure

Highly commercial and incomplete with strong bias toward steel cans. Promotes steel can as a superior way to package foods and other products; omits information on alternative materials and products. Steel can logo on nearly every page of every component.

ENVIRONMENT PLUS

Dow Chemical Company
Developed by The American Chemical Society

ChemCom: Chemistry in the Community/ ChemTV
(HS):
"To enhance science literacy through high school chemistry course that emphasizes chemistry's impact on society.

* 222 pg student supplement piece
* Video
* 103 pg TG

Objective and not commercial. Except for name on cover of materials, Dow is not mentioned nor are chemical products pushed. Teaches that everything is made up of chemicals and students should understand how they work and their impact on their lives and society.

Chlorine Institute
Bound into Science Scope (1/93)

Welcome to Building Block City!
(MS):
" . . .looking closer at how one element in particular-- chlorine--can help ignite students' interest in building block chemistry."

Poster kit with
* 2 reproducible activity
masters
* 4 pg TG
Supplement to Science Scope article

Commercial and incomplete with several inaccuracies and strong bias for chlorine compounds. Implies that polyvinyl chlorine and polyester both contain chlorine and are very alike and equally acceptable. Emphasizes the benefits of chlorine compounds but barely acknowledges their effects on safety, health, and environment. Fosters false sense of how safe chlorinated chemicals are. Safety note: As part of an activity, shows putting diluted bleach into a plastic drinking cup, a laboratory "no, no."

Council for Wildlife Conservation & Education, Inc., an affiliate of National Shooting Sports Association (NSSF)
and other corporate sponsors

Wildlife for Tomorrow: The Story of Our Un-Endangered Species
(MS/HS):
". . . explores the success of the American system of wildlife management in rescuing numbers of wildlife from the brink of extinction and restoring them to healthful and abundant numbers."

* Video
* 4 activity sheets
* 14 pg TG

Not commercial but biased and incomplete. Places hunters in a good light without exploring other points of view. Uses facts on specific species of wildlife to suggest that the problem of endangered species was caused by habitat destruction and market forces and has now been solved thanks to wildlife groups. Does not define who "wildlife" groups are. Carries overt message that gun clubs are good for the environment, and opponents of hunting are shrill and ill-informed.