Greetings!
Welcome to the first edition of our new newsletter created especially for educators of all types. Through combining information from many divisions in Waukesha County's Department of Parks and Land Use, we hope to provide you with useful information on how to better integrate the many facets of environmental education for your students. If you have any additional topics you would like to see explored, please let us know so that we may cover topics of interest to you in later issues. Also, if you think someone else may enjoy this publication, feel free to forward them this publication.
Thanks,
The Parks & Land Use Educational Team
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 Planets and Plants
A Match Made in Heaven
Retzer Nature Center's Environmental Learning Center offers schools a unique nature experience, whether you come to us or we come to you. We can help you save both time and money by booking your school field trips in one day. Retzer Environmental Learning Center and the Charles Z. Horwitz Planetarium can become your one-stop-shop for a day of educational activities. One example: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m........Nature Center Program 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.......Lunch Break (Optional) 11:30 - 12:30 p.m................Planetarium Show Another example for larger groups: split up to do what we call a "Flip-Flop" program, where ½ of the group would attend a Nature Center program while the other half attends a Planetarium show, and then flip-flop the group for the second session.
Before and after programs, the children can explore the exhibit hall devoted to The Unseen World! Highlights include hands-on rock and soil samples, animal tracks and signs, the hidden world of the Prairie Underground and a 700 gallon exhibit of native, Southeast Wisconsin game fish. Visit with our teaching animals in their custom built homes or take time to visit our outdoor developing rain and butterfly gardens. Retzer Nature Center is full of discovery experiences!
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Field Trip Opportunities
For when your class wants to be on the go!
Parks
Eble Park and Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arenas offer a great field trip opportunity, all year around.
Recycling
Visit the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) for a fun one-hour tour of what happens to your recyclables. Visit our website to learn more or call 896-8300 to schedule your trip.
Water
Choose a river or stream close to your school and we will meet you there with all the equipment to run your students through stations to test for dissolved oxygen, clarity, temperature, and biotic index. Call 896-8305 to schedule a trip.
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 Water Resources
The model pictured above is used to demonstrate how groundwater moves and how it can be contaminated. You can schedule someone to visit your classroom and give a demonstration on groundwater using the model. You will receive a folder of additional groundwater activities you can use with your classroom as a follow up. This program lasts about 40 minutes and is best for 5th grade and up.
To schedule one of these presentations for your class, call 896-8305.
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Additional Programs & Presentations
Each area of the department has unique presentations that can be delivered to your group. Presentations usually last 45 minutes to an hour and we can work with you to make sure the presentations coincide with your curriculum objectives.
Animal Welfare
Animal bite prevention, humane animal education, humane animal careers
Parks
Waukesha County Parks' interactive calendar with a wide variety of monthly events.
Recycling
Waste reduction, recycling, composting, natural resources, climate change, recycling & the county government, economics of recycling
Water
Soils, groundwater, water cycle, storm drain stenciling, water quality testing, and a wide variety of other presentations.
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Action Packed!
A multi-disciplinary inquiry based lesson
Grades: 3 through High School
This lesson, with a modifiable timeline, allows students to analyze a current behavior or habit that is not environmentally-friendly (such as making a lot of trash at lunch, using a lot of extra water when taking a shower, or reducing energy use as a way to minimize one's carbon footprint). Once students identify and analyze a problem, they are guided by the scientific method to create a solution. Students then observe the change and are challenged to reflect in a daily journal while also measuring their solution through qualitative data. Grading rubrics and suggested project ideas are also included in the Action Packed! resource binder. These materials are available in all of the Recycling Traveling Trunks or may be downloaded from the recycling teacher resource website.
Teachers, if you utilize this lesson in your classrooms, we would love to hear about it so we can share your ideas and successes with others! |
Recycling Traveling Trunks
Lesson Plans & Teaching Materials on the Go
If you cover recycling in your classroom or would like to supplement lessons about natural resources with a recycling message, check out one of our recycling traveling trunks. Each trunk comes filled with over 10 unique lesson plans tied to the Wisconsin Teaching Standards and the materials for their completion. There are also fun goodies for your students to keep, such as pencils made out of recycled dollar bills.
The trunks are available for teachers in Waukesha County and are free for a two-week loan period. Trunks are available for grades Pre-K through AP Environmental Science. Please visit our recycling teacher's website for more information, including the trunk's table of contents.
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Additional Materials & Resources
Each area of the department has a wide variety of materials and resources available for teachers. These include audio visual aids, traveling trunks, and other items for teachers to use with their students. Please visit a division's individual website for more information.
Recycling
Traveling Trunks (Recycling, Compost, Social Studies, Family & Consumer Education), Recycle Raccoon costume, various audio-visual equipment
Water Resources
Traveling Trunks (Watersheds & Pollution, Wetlands, Water History, Soils), Groundwater Model, supplies for stormdrain stenciling, various water testing equipment
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Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education's Annual Conference
WAEE's annual fall conference will be in Milwaukee this year. There are 4 major tracks that include sustainable cities, urban outdoor explorations, bringing the classroom to life, and environmental justice. We here at Waukesha County will be presenting both a field trip to introduce participants to the wide array of environmental education opportunities in Waukesha County as well as hosting several breakout sessions on recycling in your school building and integrating recycling into your curriculum. Make sure to stop by to say 'Hello' if you can make it!
Oct. 29 - Nov. 1
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 Get a Free Groundwater Model
Teachers are invited to participate in one of 3 workshops around the state to receive a free ($400 value) groundwater model and training on how to use it. In addition, schools are eligible for reimbursement of $100/teacher for substitute teacher costs. You can find out more about this program or download an application. | |
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Featured Website
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This website is from UW - Steven's Point. This wonderful site has a wide variety of EE resources including a great library just for EE Educators as well as networking opportunities for teachers. The site also provides professional development options for you and your students.
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