Caleb Atsu Nyatuame (he/him)

About Caleb's Community Action Project (CAP)

Education plays a vital role in raising awareness of responsible environmental behaviors. However, many educators in Africa lack sufficient training to teach about the environment. Additionally, the available learning materials often use Western approaches and overlook local knowledge systems, highlighting the need for opportunities that equip educators with the skills to incorporate local knowledge, emerging practices, and technologies to improve their teaching. Based on this, my Community Action Project aims to offer professional development workshops for non-formal environmental educators in Africa. 

My workshop will offer training on the use of place-based education (traditional ecological knowledge, outdoor learning, and community engagement) and AI in environmental education. Place-based education is an approach that utilizes the local community and environment in teaching and learning. This method encourages the preservation of local culture, traditional environmental practices, and helps people connect with their communities and surroundings; thereby fostering environmental stewardship and civic engagement. AI equips participants with the skills and resources needed to stay current, innovative, impactful, and relevant in today’s technology-driven world.

The participants will be nonformal environmental educators because their work allows them to reach specific groups that formal educators might not access. Additionally, their focus is on areas where applying local knowledge systems is essential. I believe that my Community Action Project will bridge the gap between African local knowledge systems for environmental education and Western scientific approaches while providing space for the educators to build capacity to promote civic-environmental education.

About Caleb

Caleb is an aspiring researcher and educator pursuing a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida. With an undergraduate degree in Economics Education and a Master’s in Sustainable Communities, his work focuses on environmental and place-based education. His previous research examines how teacher educators, especially in Ghana, incorporate ecological issues and place-based education into their teaching practices. Caleb’s current research centers on the use of AI and place-based paradigms for capacity building in environmental education. Caleb has presented at national conferences such as AERA and has held leadership roles in sustainability, including serving as a graduate representative on Northern Arizona University’s Green Fund Committee. He brings an interdisciplinary perspective to his teaching and research, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to support environmental education. Through education, policy, and community collaboration, Caleb aims to promote just and sustainable futures.

More About Me

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, I had always wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. That’s no longer the case because my passion has changed ever since.

What are three environmental values you try to emulate? 
The environmental values I always try to emulate are respect for nature, stewardship, and education.

What is your favorite memory of being in nature? 
My favorite memory in nature is walking to the beach to watch the waves come and go. It gives me the space to reflect and appreciate nature!