Are you trying to grow outdoor learning and sustainability in your school community?
Here's a presentation I gave a couple of weeks ago to the Jamestown Elementary School PTA on Growing Outdoor Learning and Sustainability at the school.
We discussed our school community, vision, goals, wishlists, budget and funding sources - and several of the many environmental education and sustainability programs and projects for 2014 - 2015.
I am working part-time as "Visiting Horticulturalist" at the school and help to coordinate and facilitate outdoor learning. I appreciated this opportunity to meet with the PTA and discuss vision, goals and funding for the next year.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Research Fuels Agriculture-Related Job Boom
Thinking of a career related to agriculture, food and the environment?
http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/11/18/nifa-grant-programs-help-fuel-ag-related-job-boom/
http://blogs.usda.gov/2014/11/18/nifa-grant-programs-help-fuel-ag-related-job-boom/
Monday, November 17, 2014
Registration Open: Middle School Students for Sustainability Conference (S4S) for January 26 2015
Students for Sustainability Conference (S4S)
Monday, January 26, 2015
8:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School
Upper School Campus
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
Middle school students are invited to join us for this educational, fun, and rewarding experience at the seventh annual Students for Sustainability Conference (S4S)! Bring a “green delegation” to be part of this exciting day of learning, discussion, and planning for environmental sustainability in your school and community. We encourage sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who are passionate about the environment to attend, along with their faculty chaperones. Each year, hundreds of students gather for this special day. We welcome students from Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia schools to lend their energy and enthusiasm to this special day and take home new knowledge and inspiration!
Keynote Speaker
Our 2015 conference speaker is Ian Cheney, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films and collaborations include "King Corn," "Big River," "The Greening of Southie," "Truck Farm," "The City Dark," and "The Search for General Tso." Mr. Cheney grew up in New England and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University, where he was a co-founder of the Yale Sustainable Food Project. In 2011 he and longtime collaborator Curt Ellis were awarded the Heinz Award for using humor and innovative programming to engage people about sustainable food. He is currently a Knight fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Our 2015 conference speaker is Ian Cheney, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films and collaborations include "King Corn," "Big River," "The Greening of Southie," "Truck Farm," "The City Dark," and "The Search for General Tso." Mr. Cheney grew up in New England and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University, where he was a co-founder of the Yale Sustainable Food Project. In 2011 he and longtime collaborator Curt Ellis were awarded the Heinz Award for using humor and innovative programming to engage people about sustainable food. He is currently a Knight fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Green Activity Zones
After the keynote, students will participate in "activity zones" where hands-on learningand sustainability merge. Activities will range from building a windmill to creating art from recycled technology items. S4S needs creative faculty leaders to design and run the activity centers to make the day a success for our students. Please see the conference website for details and to register to run a session.
After the keynote, students will participate in "activity zones" where hands-on learningand sustainability merge. Activities will range from building a windmill to creating art from recycled technology items. S4S needs creative faculty leaders to design and run the activity centers to make the day a success for our students. Please see the conference website for details and to register to run a session.
An interactive Green Forum after lunch will give students the chance to weigh in on environmental issues and compete for prizes in a match of “green” knowledge.
REGISTER TODAY at www.s4sconference.org. Cost is $25 per student or faculty member. Public school groups, please contact Brian Kane for registration details.
History
S4S was originated by St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in 2008 as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Each year, hundreds of students from regional schools attend the only student-focused conference on sustainability in our region. Local and national leaders have lent past support to S4S, including former Vice President Al Gore, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Congressman Jim Moran, Alexandria Mayor William Euille, and EPA administrator Gina McCarthy. S4S has been highlighted by The Washington Post, Alexandria Gazette-Packet, Alexandria Times, Washington, D.C. television news stations, Green Schools Alliance, Virginia Living magazine, National Association of Independent Schools, and Independent Education.
S4S was originated by St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in 2008 as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Each year, hundreds of students from regional schools attend the only student-focused conference on sustainability in our region. Local and national leaders have lent past support to S4S, including former Vice President Al Gore, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Congressman Jim Moran, Alexandria Mayor William Euille, and EPA administrator Gina McCarthy. S4S has been highlighted by The Washington Post, Alexandria Gazette-Packet, Alexandria Times, Washington, D.C. television news stations, Green Schools Alliance, Virginia Living magazine, National Association of Independent Schools, and Independent Education.
Questions? Please contact Brian Kane, SSSAS Director of Environmental Stewardship, at bkane@sssas.org or (703) 212-2912. For more information about St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, please visit www.sssas.org.
Friday, November 14, 2014
A Big STEM Project for 3 - 4 Year Olds and Up: Build Your Own Sandbox
Our vision is to make a sandbox for the kids. But what if perhaps we make the sandbox with the kids? After a one-minute conversation with teacher, aide and myself we decide to assemble the sandbox with the kids.
The result: I enjoy a wonderful afternoon building a sandbox with seventeen 3-4 year olds in the Montessori Program at Jamestown Elementary School.
- Let's have a go. We sit in a circle around the big box labeled "sandbox" and open it....
- It's exciting! Let's see what's inside. What do we do?
- We do lots of math. (The pieces are numbered. How many corner pieces? How many side pieces? How many screws do we have? And so on)
- The students follow diagram directions
- Everyone has a go and we use tools like Allen key, screwdriver and a hammer
- We learn teamwork
To do your "Build Your Own Sandbox" project you need:
People: Two to three adults and up to 16 kids (3- 4 years old - or older) optimum
Time to assemble: One hour
Time to fill: One hour - plus play time!
Sandbox Kit: We use a KidKraft Sandbox, 5 foot square, (cost about $150 from Amazon.com). Cost of sand, pebbles and earth not included.
Tools needed: An Allen key is in the box. You might like to have an extra Allen key(s) so kids can share, and a hammer, a few old nails, and screwdrivers (flat and Philips) just in case you need them.
Next week: We'll put the sandbox outside in a quiet place in the playground, and fill it with sand, pebbles and earth for digging.
Thanks to staff Rachel Kipperman and Margaret MacLaughlin at Jamestown Elementary school for facilitating this project with students in the Montessori Program.
Thanks to staff Rachel Kipperman and Margaret MacLaughlin at Jamestown Elementary school for facilitating this project with students in the Montessori Program.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Happy 4th Birthday to "How to SMILE" and Celebrating Their Free STEM Lessons
Looking for something STEM to do with kids?
Check out www.howtosmile.org for 1000's of STEM lessons - a collection built up over the last four years.
Check out www.howtosmile.org for 1000's of STEM lessons - a collection built up over the last four years.
On your phone too...
- The free Howtosmile.org iPhone app gives users immediate access to SMILE activities any time, anywhere.
Looking for something STEM and active?
...To promote hundreds of STEM activities that get learners moving, Howtosmile.org has partnered with the Let's Move! Museums & Gardens initiative of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services."
...To promote hundreds of STEM activities that get learners moving, Howtosmile.org has partnered with the Let's Move! Museums & Gardens initiative of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services."
"Howtosmile.org celebrates its 4th anniversary this month! Launched in 2010 at the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) annual conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, SMILE has grown to nearly 4,000 STEM activities from more than 150 source institutions, in 28 languages....
....Howtosmile.org has been honored as an ALA Great Website for Kids, AASL Best Website for Teaching and Learning, and Homeschool.com top educational website. Initially funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), SMILE has been a broad collaborative effort from its inception. Founding partners included Children's Museum of Houston, Exploratorium, New York Hall of Science, Science Museum of Minnesota, Lawrence Hall of Science, ASTC and the National Science Digital Library."
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| Photo: Project directors Darrell Porcello and Sherry Hsi were all smiles at their first NSDL conference after SMILE was funded. |
....Howtosmile.org has been honored as an ALA Great Website for Kids, AASL Best Website for Teaching and Learning, and Homeschool.com top educational website. Initially funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), SMILE has been a broad collaborative effort from its inception. Founding partners included Children's Museum of Houston, Exploratorium, New York Hall of Science, Science Museum of Minnesota, Lawrence Hall of Science, ASTC and the National Science Digital Library."
Reposted from: http://www.howtosmile.org/blog/posts/smile-turns-4-0
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