|
|
|
|
ACNW Environmental Education News
|
|
|
February 13, 2018
Dear Charter School Leaders, EE Contacts, Teachers, and Board Members,
Although it doesn't feel like it outside, spring is just a short five weeks away! Spring also brings many celebrations of stewardship and sustainability. Begin to prepare your students now with the 2018 Saving Endangered Species Youth Art Contest, which is open to students in Grades K-12. The contest is part of Endangered Species Day on May 18, 2018. Learn more about the contest, review guidelines, or submit entries online. The deadline to submit is March 1.
In addition, Chong Shimray is a research scholar at UW-Stevens Point studying climate change education. If you currently address climate change in your classroom, participate in her research study by taking this survey.
As always, please let us know if you are you doing something cool related to EE at your school. Every month we try to share something great happening with EE in ACNW authorized schools and we’d love to feature your school. Keep in touch!
Sincerely,
The ACNW Charter School Division
43 Main Street SE, Suite 507
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 331-4181
|
|
2018 GREEN DIFFERENCE AWARDS
Project Green Schools is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Green Difference Awards. Project Green Schools honors and recognizes outstanding national environmental education and STEM education efforts led in schools and communities. Green Difference Makers can be principals, teachers, advisors, citizens, schools, students, or school groups and clubs. Apply or submit a nomination online.
|
|
MINNESOTA GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS
The Green Ribbon Schools Awards honor schools and districts that save energy and reduce operating costs, create environmentally friendly learning spaces, promote student health, and incorporate environmental sustainability into the curriculum. MDE nominates candidates based on an application process. The deadline to submit an application is March 31. For further information, contact John Olson, MDE Science Specialist, at (651) 582-8673.
|
|
BEETLES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Applications for the 2018 BEETLES Leadership Institute are due on March 12. This FREE Leadership Institute is supported by the National Science Foundation and includes room/board and a travel stipend. Plan to engage in stimulating conversations, build leadership expertise, share and gain wisdom with a variety of programs, and experience research-based resources for professional learning and student experiences. The Institute is open to all outdoor environmental education and community-based organizations that use science as a lens for looking at nature. Learn more and apply online. |
|
TRAVELING EXHIBIT AT THE STATE CAPITOL CELEBRATES WATER IN MINNESOTA
A traveling exhibit exploring Minnesotans’ emotional connections with water will be on display at the state Capitol through March. We Are Water Minnesota employs a variety of multimedia and hands-on displays to both inform viewers and celebrate the role of water in what makes Minnesota such a special place. After its Capitol run, the exhibit will go on tour across Minnesota, appearing at eight locations into 2019. |
|
GEEP CALL FOR ACTION
The Global Environmental Education Project has launched a draft global Call for Action. This Call outlines ten actions for the future of environmental education, and GEEP is seeking feedback. Read the Call for Action, view an interactive map of global responses, and provide your own feedback to help shape the future of environmental education. The survey takes about five minutes to complete, and your responses will help shape an action plan for next ten years. |
|
EPA Environmental Justice Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving grants provide funding to support community-based organizations in their efforts to collaborate and partner with local stakeholder groups as they develop and implement solutions that address environmental and/or public health issues for underserved communities.
The EPA plans to award 10 grants (one award per region) of up to $120,000 per award for a two-year project period. Pre-application assistance phone calls are scheduled for January 11, January 23 and February 1. Applications are due February 16. Learn more.
EPA Environmental Education Local Grant Program
EPA's Environmental Education (EE) Local Grants Program supports locally-focused EE projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship through designing, demonstrating, and/or disseminating environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Learn more or apply online by March 15, 2018. Contact Gavin.megan@epa.gov with questions.
Toshiba America Foundation
The Toshiba America Foundation gives grants to teachers in K-12 schools to help them teach math and science in innovative ways. Applications are for project-based learning only and must be completed online. Grant applications for grades 6-12 that are $5,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year, while grants exceeding $5,000 are reviewed twice a year. The next deadline for these grants is June 1, 2018.
|
|
Learning Gardens and Learning Landscapes: Connecting Young People to Nature
Join NAAEE for the next installment of its monthly webinar series. Join Dilafruz WIlliams (Portland State University), Nilda Cosco (Natural Learning Initiative at NC State University), and Robin Moore (Natural Learning Initiative at NC State University) to discuss learning gardens and landscapes and how to design opportunities to connect more young people (and educators) to nature. Register online for the webinar, which will be held Tuesday, February 27 at 3:30 PM CST.
Climate Education, Enlightenment, and Communication
Combating climate change is a foremost global challenge of the 21st century. Learn more on the causes and consequences of our changing climate, inter-related forces behind this trend and the growing need for collaborative transformation in this webinar held by the Sustainability and Livelihood Research Organization on Wednesday, February 21 at 9:00 AM CST. Register or learn more online.
MN DNR Teacher Professional Development
The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources offers low or no cost training on a variety of curricula to help connect students with the environment in a variety of settings. Teachers and educators attend workshops to get activity guides and professional development CEUs.
- March 24: FREE Project Learning Tree K-8 Workshop, MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington
- April 17: Project Learning Tree K-8 Workshop, Rochester Community and Technical College
- April 21: Project Learning Tree K-8 Workshop, Ney Nature Center, Henderson (Le Sueur County)
- July 17: Project WILD & Project WILD Aquatic Teacher Workshop, Whitewater State Park, Altura (Winona County)
2018 Schoolyard Gardens Conference
Over 370 teachers, school administrators, school food service professionals, Master Gardeners, parents, and other school garden supporters attend this annual conference to share ideas and resources for building and sustaining school gardens. From nutrition programming to building valuable community partnerships, the conference agenda highlights practical and inspirational tools from the leading experts and educators in Minnesota. The conference will be held on Friday, March 2 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. Learn more or register online.
Outdoor Classroom Workshops: Team Teaching with Mother Nature
The Jeffers Foundation offers workshops focused on using the outdoors as a classroom. Workshops are catered to the school or venue so participants gain valuable insights into using a specific site. Workshops are available for both schools and organizations. Contact the Jeffers Foundation to learn more.
Green Schools Conference and Expo
Early bird registration for the 2018 Green Schools Conference and Expo is now open. Make plans now to join fellow green schools advocates in Denver, Colorado May 3-4, 2018 for the 8th annual conference and expo! Find registration packages and travel/hotel information online.
Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Join Climate Generation for its 12th annual Summer Institute, designed to guide teachers through challenges teaching about climate change, and help teachers gain the confidence and competence to bring this relevant topic to today’s youth. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from leading experts from the University of Minnesota on their climate science research, engage with hands-on activities, and learn about how Climate Generation curriculum supports language arts, social studies, and science standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards. Scholarships are available; apply online. Click here to read more and to sign up.
- Date: June 26-28, 2018
- Who: Classroom teacher or non-formal educator interested in training and resources that support the standards
- Where: St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN
- Cost: $200 participation fee, which covers meals, materials, and curriculum. Additional fees for lodging and additional curricular materials.
- Register online, or contact Climate Generation for more information.
|
|
May 18: Endangered Species Day
The 13th annual international Endangered Species Day on May 18, 2018 offers biology, ecology and other teachers an ideal opportunity to educate students about the importance of protecting threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Be sure to check out the resource materials in the Endangered Species Day Toolkit on the website, including event planning tips, stickers, bookmarks, fliers, banner, passport, coloring/activity sheets and more. Find lesson plans and other tools in the Teacher Resource Center.
Will Steger
Discover the impacts of climate change on the Arctic—the most rapidly changing region on the planet—through the eyes of explorer Will Steger, this spring on his solo expedition. Sign up to follow Will’s journey with your students and receive two emails a week with a link to the Story Map detailing his journey, classroom activities to do, and questions to prompt investigations and discussions in your classroom.
National Geographic Educator Certification Program
National Geographic has created a professional development program for formal and informal PreK-12 educators inspiring the next generation of explorers, conservationists, and global citizens. The Educator Certification program is FREE to educators and can be completed online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
