PLT's secondary environmental education modules meet common components of national education reform by using the constructivist approach to learning, whole language teaching, cooperative learning, problem solving, and authentic assessments. The modules are intended for grades 9-12 but can be adapted for other audiences such as entry-level college courses and adult community groups. PLT's secondary modules include:

• Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests
• The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology
• Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste
• Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk
• The Places We Live

• Biodiversity
• Forests of the World

Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests module uses forest related examples to help students better understand the complexity of environmental issues. Students examine issues objectively, collect and analyze data, and become involved in decision-making experiences. They learn how to present arguments clearly and how citizens can play a role in forest management decisions.

In The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology module, students examine ecological systems of a forest, analyze interdependencies within a forest ecosystem, and explore factors that shape the development of forests. In addition, they develop critical thinking skills and discover the importance of scientific analysis when making decisions about forest issues. This module includes a special section on fire ecology.

Through the Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste module, students begin understanding waste management issues and options. The module uses hands-on experiences to show the interrelationships among waste generation, natural resource use, and disposal. The activities guide students through waste management strategies and solutions while providing the necessary tools to make informed decisions and choices on waste management issues.

Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk module helps students explore the different aspects of environmental and human health risks that affect their everyday lives. It incorporates science, social studies, math, geography, and language arts. The module is designed to be infused into existing curriculum and is correlated to the national science standards. Students analyze, explore, discover, and learn about risk assessment, risk communication, risk perception, and risk management. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are stressed throughout the activities.

The Places We Live provides educators with a useful tool for placed based education to help create a bond between young citizens and their communities. Students will explore current and future community environmental issues, enabling them to make informed decisions about those issues.