Erin Prein

Undergraduate Fellow, Forest Biodiversity Team

“I am interested in teaching science, probably at the middle or high school level. From both our Endangered Wolf Center tour and our professional development speakers, Tyson has provided me with an understanding of the community resources that are available to educators. As I go forward in education, I hope to think back to the people that I have met here and make sure that I am bringing students out to touch grass and dirt and see wolves because that's really good for their enrichment, both their cognitive development and also their social emotional development.”

As a double major in Environmental Earth Science and Education Studies, Erin Prein is doing a joint thesis on the importance of environmental science education.

“As I head into learning more about what environmental science education is like in St. Louis, there's a plethora of data about the ways environmental science or just environmental experiences are good for students. That's not even from a conservation perspective, it's just from them learning about their environment. It provides local connections to communities and issues that might involve them. This is especially important in St. Louis given how much environmental injustice there is, for students to learn about what it is that they could fight for and help improve. Although they shouldn't have to, that's the paradox of it all. 

It is just important to be in touch with the world around them. It's not that every person has to want to have a career in fieldwork or research or anything in the sciences, but it's for them to know that their local parks exist and that they can take themselves or their friends or someday their children to play outside and be enriched in the natural world. And be able to do it without it being polluted and harmful. Sparking an interest in the environment at a younger age leads to long-term health and happiness.”