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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
Children and Outside Learning
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Research highlights the benefits of outdoor and environmental education for children--ranging from increased academic achievement, improved social skills and interest in school, and boosted health, according to environmental education leaders who have organized NoVA Outside: An Alliance of Environmental Educators (www.novaoutside.org). I attended their School Environmental Action Showcase last week at George Mason University, and I was impressed by the students and their projects. The Showcase is like a science fair but with the emphasis on environmental science.
I am pleased with the progress that has been made in recent years to incorporate more concepts into children's learning experiences about the environment. Author Richard Louv sounded the alarm back in 2005 when he wrote about a "nature deficit disorder" negatively affecting children because they were spending less time outdoors and the school curriculum was not dealing with the subject. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (www.neefusa.org), children have lost 25 percent of playtime and 50 percent of unstructured outdoor activity over recent decades. More than one in three children is overweight or obese with all the associated problems. In children as well as adults, outdoor exercise improves mental and physical well-being.
But it is more than just being outdoors; it is also knowing about the earth on which we live. Virginia went through a period about 20 years ago when a very conservative state school board deliberately went about taking out any "environmentalism" from state science standards of learning. We seemingly are past the worst of that narrow view and recognize the linkage among science, the world in which we live, and our actions as individuals and their implications. Environmental educators are doing a good job of hitching onto the latest education fad--STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)--and demonstrating how the study of the outdoors and the environment support the emphasis on STEM.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan offered this perspective in a public service announcement for Environmental Education Week. "We know so many of the jobs of the future are in the STEM fields, and there are so many great ties between STEM education and environmental education," he said. "If we really want to keep those good jobs in this country, if we want our students prepared--I think there's no better way to start to get at that, whether it's in 2nd grade or in 11th or 12th grade, than to get kids out in the outdoors with environmental education."
Children continue to have a higher level of concern about the earth and the environment than adults often do. The students' exhibits at the Showcase showed that awareness as did their projects that demonstrated what we can do to be good environmental stewards. These students learning outdoors will be better leaders in cleaning up the world we adults are leaving them.
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Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28
 Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. Watch these upcoming programs:
TONIGHT - Wednesday, May 1 at 10:30 p.m. - Jeff Connor-Naylor, The Commonwealth Institute, "Medicaid Expansion"
Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 8 at 10:30 p.m. - Gloria Pan of MomsRising, "Sensible Gun Laws"
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Bulletin Board
Colvin Run Mill Can Win $100,000 in Contest. Colvin Run Mill Historic Site is a finalist in a web-based contest sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The finalist that draws the greatest number of votes receives $100,000 in preservation prize money. You could win a three-night hotel stay, too. Polls are open through May 10. Vote at Partners in Preservation.
Donate Life Virginia is a Virginia coalition of organ procurement organizations, eye banks, transplant centers and others committed to donation and transplantation. There is a critical shortage of organs, tissues and eyes available for donation yet more than 113,000 patients in the United States awaiting transplantation. Every 10 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list. Every day, an average of 18 people die waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Registering to become an organ, eye and tissue donor authorizes your decision to be a donor. Sign up today to become an organ, eye and tissue donor. Your generosity can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance another 50 or more through tissue donation. Donate Life Virginia maintains the Virginia Donor Registry. For more information and to register as an organ donor, visit DonateLifeVirginia.org.
The Spring edition of dis-Abilities Celebration Connection, a website of resources for individuals and professionals working with persons with disabilities, is available to view at Spring 2013 Newsletter.
Find out what fresh fruits and vegetables are available at local farmers markets by going to www.inova.org/bfbl.
Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Village Center will open for its 16th season on Saturday, May 4. Joining longtime farmer-vendors will be Arnest Seafood, the Farm at Sunnyside, and soft ice cream and fresh milk vendor Moo Thru. For more information, visit restonfarmersmarket.com.
Connect2Compete: Harnessing digital opportunity for all Americans. Technology has transformed business, education, employment, healthcare, and government, yet one-third of all Americans, disproportionately low-income and minority, remain excluded and increasingly isolated from our digital society. While the divide directly impacts the most marginalized, it also costs the nation billions of dollars each year in lost earnings and inefficiencies. For more information and to see if you qualify, go to connect2compete.org.
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Calendar of Events
Today--May 1, at 6:00 p.m., March for Immigration Reform. Rachel Carson Middle School Cafeteria, 13618 McLearen Road, Herndon. For more information contact Noah Feldman at 703-851-0616 or nfeldman@virginianewmajority.org or visit www.virginianewmajority.org/may1.
Social Justice Yard Sale, Saturday, May 4, 7:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. All proceeds go to social justice projects: Our Daily Bread food bank, UU Partner Church Circle, Mosaic Harmony gospel choir, and The Shepherd's Center of Oakton/Vienna. For more information go to www.uucf.org.
Join Reston's Garlic Mustard Challenge: Saturday, May 4, 9:00 a.m. - noon at the Walker Nature Center in Reston. This Spring, Reston Association's environmental team is asking for help to eradicate Garlic Mustard, a destructive plant in the community, and protect the forest floor and wildlife habitats. Stay for the Spring Festival from 1:00-4:00 p.m. and learn more about Garlic Mustard.
Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month on Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Looking Back, Moving Forward includes a buffet lunch, cultural performance, fashion show, and dragon dance. Free and open to the public, but RSVP required to APIAVoice@gmail.com.
Reston Association Spring Festival, a community event for all ages, is Saturday, May 4 (rain or shine) from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Walker Nature Center in Reston. For more information, visit Spring Festival.
Denim Recycling, Saturday, May 4 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Walker Nature Center. Reston Environmental Action (REACT) will collect old, used denim at the annual Spring Festival. The denim will be sent to the organization Cotton, From Blue to Green where it will be recycled into environmentally-safe insulation for home-building organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. For more information, go to http://reston.patch.com/events/denim-recycling.
Connect a child to life at the 13th Annual Hopecam 5k Run/Walk, Sunday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. Starts and finishes at 1890 Preston White Drive in Reston. Every day 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer. Among the first side-effects of treatment is isolation from their school, friends, and classmates. Hopecam re-connects these children to their lives using technology. Your contribution will change the life of a child with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. For more information or to register, visit http://www.hopecam.org/.
Rescue Reston's Spring Into Action barbeque is on Sunday, May 5. The event starts at 5:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by speakers, dinner, silent auction, and dancing until 10:00 p.m. at Hidden Creek Country Club where participants will feast on BBQ, bid on auction items, and enjoy the music of the Bank Street Band in order to raise money to save Reston's open space and preserve the Master Plan. For more information, go to rescuereston.org/events.
Join Reston Schools participating in Bike to School Day on May 8. Be part of making our community more healthy and connected by participating in Bike to School Day. This year public schools in Reston--Aldrin, Armstrong, Dogwood, Forest Edge, Hunters Woods, Lake Anne, Sunrise Valley and Terraset Elementary schools, Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School--are having a friendly competition to see who can get the most bikes on their bike racks. Volunteer or encourage the kids in your neighborhood to participate in this national event. More information can be found at www.cyclinginreston.weebly.com.
The Annual Dream Makers Award Gala, hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation and honoring educators and community leaders for their commitment to community service, will be held on Thursday, May 9, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Road in McLean, VA. For more information about sponsorships and tickets, visit Dream Makers Award Gala.
Taste of Asia, Friday, May 10, 5:00-8:00 p.m., at the Boys & Girls Club, 5901 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Sponsored by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Tickets are $25 for members, $35 for non- members. For more information, go to Taste of Asia.
Welcome Back to Dogwood Pool Grand Re-Opening on Saturday, May 11, 10:00 a.m. at Dogwood Pool, 2460 Green Range Drive, Reston. Free, no reservation required. For more information email events@reston.org or call 703-435-6577.
On Sunday, May 12, at 3:30 p.m., the 5th Annual International Language and Cultural Festival is being hosted by the American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA) and the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA). The festival will be held at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax. For more information, call ATFA at (703) 267-5751.
Moran to Host Community Forum on Immigration Reform. On Tuesday, May 14 from 7:00-9:00 p.m., Congressman Jim Moran will host a community forum entitled "Building a Stronger Nation: Reforming our Broken Immigration System." The forum will be held at the Kenmore Middle School auditorium, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington. To learn more or RSVP, visit moran.house.gov.
Wine Tasting for Adults 55 and Older: Friday, May 17 at Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Sample red and white wines and tour the Nature Center's gardens and trail. Cost is $9 for Reston Association members, $13 for nonmembers. Reservations required by May 14, email Ashleigh@reston.org or call 703-435-6530.
Delegate Ken Plum kicks off his campaign for re-election at a fundraiser on Tuesday, May 21 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Midtown in Reston Town Center. To contribute or purchase tickets, visit 2013 Campaign Kick-Off. For more information email kenplum@aol.com.
Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance Forum on New Transportation Funding Priorities, Wednesday, May 22 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Waterford at Fair Oaks. For more information, email info@nvta.org or call 703-883-1830.
First Northern Virginia Health Summit on Friday, May 31, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Waterford at Springfield, 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Health Foundation. To register, visit register now.
Bread for the World's 2013 National Gathering: A Place at the Table will take place June 8-11 in Washington, D.C. More information is at National Gathering. "A Place at the Table" is the name of both a major new documentary and the 2013 Offering of Letters campaign. For more information go to www.bread.org/go/1000days.
On August 11 at 8:00 a.m. the YMCA Fairfax County Reston and Reston Association will be holding the third annual Reston Kid's Triathlon. The event is intended to be a fun opportunity for youngsters to stay active through the summer and learn about the fast growing sport of triathlon. In keeping with the missions of the sponsoring organizations, a number of the participants will be from families who might not be able to afford the entry fee and equipment for the event. Through individual and corporate sponsors their costs will be covered. All net proceeds from this event will be used for the Y and RA youth scholarship programs. For more information, visit www.restonkidstri.org.
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