Serving Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties
Fall 2013 CREEC Region 5 e-Newsletter
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| Message from CREEC Region 5 Coordinator |
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The 2013-14 school year brings new and exciting opportunities in environmental education as the CREEC Network launches the newly upgraded CREEC.org with a complete revitalization of our Resource Directory currently underway!
If you're an EE Provider, please visit the new CREEC.org to create a master account for your organization and post your programs, resources, video and more, so teachers can find them!
If you're a teacher, please visit the site to see what's coming, and come back again in a few weeks after the providers have had a chance to post!
No matter who you are, you'll want to bookmark the EVENTS CALENDAR so you can stay informed of great events and happenings in Region 5! CREEC Region 5 is hosting such unique events as CompostCon 2014, Sea Otter Awareness Week and the Silicon Valley STEM Summit!
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Conferences, Events and Workshops!
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September 21
Find lots of resources and local events at Save Our Shores and The California Coastal Commission. Click on the Coastal Clean-Up Day header to click on through!
Free presentations and events for students. School presentations regarding sea otters and conservation, including bilingual fact sheets and a post-presentation interactive game are available If you are interested in having a presenter come to your school, email Cindy Serraino, Outreach Coordinator.
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day
October 15 and
The first International Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Summit
October 14-16 in Monterey
Educators, policy makers, and researchers have worked together to create K-6 materials for schools in the Monterey Bay region (where leatherbacks feed) and in isolated areas of Indonesia (where the same leatherbacks nest). Local students will have a chance to learn about Indonesian school children, use the developed activities, and suggest ways to improve the activities before they are sent to Indonesia. Participating teachers will be entered in a drawing to attend the summit and have the cost of a substitute covered.
Silicon Valley STEM Summit
October 15, 2:00 - 5:30 pm, Microsoft Corp., Mountain View
Registration cost: $20
Silicon Valley Education Foundation is hosting the second annual Silicon Valley STEM Summit. This year's summit is focused on Integrated STEM, emphasizing the need to apply a real-world context that shows the inter-connections between disciplines rather than keeping subject areas separated in silos. Fortunately, the new Common Core State Standards help facilitate some of the connections between subject areas. California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will be the keynote speaker.
CompostCon 2014
January 25, 10 am - 5 pm, Oakland Convention Center
The first of its kind, CompostCon is a fun, family-friendly festival and educational event celebrating compost in our gardens, farms and landscapes. Home gardeners, urban farmers, and teachers can learn and see the latest trends and technologies through music, workshops, marketplace, and kids activities. Email Lauren or call (408) 975-2574
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Teacher Professional Development
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Sowing the Seeds of Wonder: The Garden in Early Childhood Education
September 21, 9 am - 3 pm, Life Lab Garden Classroom, UC Santa Cruz
For PreK/K educators and other adults interested in gardening with young children.
Spend a day looking at the garden through the eyes of a young child. Using Life Lab's Sowing the Seeds activity guide for preschool and kindergarten, participants in this workshop sample preschool science, nutrition, and exploration activities; practice basic gardening skills with a focus on gardening with young children; discuss safe and age-appropriate garden design; and learn art projects and songs for preschoolers. Graduate education units available. Fee: $150
The Growing Classroom: Introduction to Garden-Based Learning Grades 2-6
October 3-4, 9 am - 3:30 pm, Life Lab Garden Classroom, UC Santa Cruz
For K-8 educators and other adults interested in garden-based learning
Learn to use a garden to bring standards-based lessons to life, promote ecological literacy, encourage healthy eating, and support students' social development. Using Life Lab's Growing Classroom activity guide for grades 2-6, participants in this hands-on workshop experience tried-and-true garden-based lessons, practice basic gardening techniques, and develop management strategies for a school garden program. Graduate education units available.
Fee: $300
Water: The Essential Resource
October 9 - December 11, online
Professional Development for 4th to 8th grade teachers
National Geographic and Annenberg Learner invite you to join a FREE online teacher professional development course focused on ocean and freshwater systems and incorporating strategies for teaching environmental topics. This experience supports the California Environmental Education Initiative (EEI). Teachers will increase environmental science knowledge, have access to National Geographic scientists, prepare classroom content using effective instructional strategies, be part of a collaborative online community and receive CEU credit upon completion.
Plant It, Grow It, Eat It: Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education - FALL Version
October 10, 9 am - 3 pm, Life Lab Garden Classroom, UC Santa Cruz
For K-8 educators and other adults interested in garden-enhanced nutrition education
Make the connection from seed to table in this fun and delicious workshop. Using
tried-and-true Life Lab lessons and recipes for grades K-8, participants explore effective ways to teach nutrition and encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables through gardening, harvesting and meal preparation. Graduate education units available. Fee: $150
October 11, 10 am - 4 pm, Life Lab Garden Classroom, UC Santa Cruz
For PreK-12 educators and other adults interested in school gardens and school food
See stellar school food and garden programs in action! On this tour, participants visit four established elementary school gardens; meet garden coordinators with years of experience; observe and enjoy a school lunch cooked by students in Pacific Elementary School's Food Lab Program; and learn what's new in school food from Santa Cruz's forward-thinking food service director. Fee: $150
LiMPETS Sandy Beach Monitoring Workshop
Training and Field Study for teachers of 6th grade-college
November 2, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Asilomar State Beach
Get involved in this exciting science education program for students. Participants receive the 5-unit LiMPETS Curriculum and are trained to survey the distribution and abundance of the Pacific mole crab at one of many monitoring sites along the California coast. Teachers receive a $50 stipend for their participation and CEU's are available through CSUMB. For more information contact Ann Wasser at (831) 648-5716 ext.14.
PEAK Energy Education
November 14, Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Training plus Curriculum and Materials Kit for 3rd - 7th grade teachers
PEAK is an exciting STEM-based and standards (including Common Core)-aligned education program that teaches the science of energy and empowers students to become smart energy managers through hands-on lab and action activities! Participating teachers receive professional development, substitute reimbursement (or a stipend), curriculum correlated to 3rd-7th grade standards across disciplines, a toolkit of materials for our hands-on science labs, and ongoing implementation support at NO COST. Email Audrey Knox or (510) 444-5060 ext. 15 to learn more.
Growing Healthy, Strong, Inspired Teens: Youth Empowerment for Teens
November 15, 9 am - 3 pm, at Life Lab's "FoodWhat?!" Farm, UC Santa Cruz
For high school educators and other adults interested in youth empowerment for teens.
Explore ways to engage and work with teens using a youth empowerment model. Though hands-on activities, participants gain tools for tone setting, exploring youth voice, and working with teens in garden and cooking settings. You will experience best practices, curriculum, pedagogy and fun from Life Lab's "FoodWhat?!" teen program. Graduate education units available. Fee: $150
LiMPETS ROCKY INTERTIDAL Monitoring Workshop
Training and Field Study for teachers of 6th grade - college
January 11, 2014, 9:30 am - 5pm, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Pt. Pinos
Learn how to participate in this in-depth science education program for students. Participantsreceive new curriculum, learn to correctly identify algae and invertebrates, and practice the monitoring methods used in the field.For more information please contact Ann Wasser at (831) 648-5716 ext.14.Teachers will receive a $50 stipend for their participation and CEU's are available through CSUMB.
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Professional Development for Environmental Educators and Providers
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Project Design and Evaluation: A 2-day workshop for EE Professionals
September 23-24, Bay Conference Center in Tiburon
How can you be sure your projects reach the right audience and have the right impact? What can you do to get beyond "preaching to the choir?" This course provides coastal resource management and education professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to design and implement projects that have measurable impacts on the audience they want to reach. This interactive curriculum can help you increase the effectiveness of your projects by applying valid instructional design theory to their design. Course instruction by NOAA Coastal Services Center.
Life Lab Garden-based Education
Life Lab offers a range of workshops for teachers, environmental educators and other adults interested in garden-based education. Below are upcoming workshops being offered in the Life Lab Garden Classroom on the UC Santa Cruz campus. Additional details and workshop descriptions are listed in the Teacher Opportunities section of this newsletter.
September 21: Sowing the Seeds of Wonder: The Garden in Early Childhood Education (PreK/K)
October 3-4: The Growing Classroom: Introduction to Garden-Based Learning
(Grades K-8)
October 10: Plant It, Grow It, Eat It: Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education (K-8)
October 11: Santa Cruz School Food and Garden Tour (PreK-12)
November 15: Growing Healthy, Strong, Inspired Teens: Youth Empowerment for Teens
Learning, Reflections and Science
Professional Development for informal science educators
October 2-November 20, Wednesdays 4:30-7:30 pm (must attend all dates), in San Francisco
This is one of two Informal Science Educator professional learning programs for informal educators interested in exploring the theory and practice of education within
Fundamentals of Inquiry: Examining Scientific Practices and the Next Generation Science Standards
October 21-25, Mon-Thurs, 8:30 am-4 pm, Fri, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, in San Francisco
PDF Registration
Cost: $1,850 per person or $1,700 per person for teams (early bird discount available) Presented by the Exploratorium's Institute for Inquiry, this workshop for Professional Developers is organized into three sections that illuminate the fundamentals of inquiry-based teaching and learning. Throughout the workshop, participants have reflective conversations that allow them to see into the professional-development design process-from the design of each individual activity to the structure of the workshop. Email or call 415-528-4397
LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring and Experiential Training for Students)
Upcoming trainings: November 2 and January 11 in Pacific Grove
Registration
Learn how to get your students involved in authentic, hands-on scientific investigations at your local beach or tidepool. These workshops are for teachers and environmental educators working with grades 6 -college who are interested in participating in the National Marine Sanctuary's LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring and Experiential Training for Students) programs. Free curriculum and $50 stipend for participants.
Conservation and Sustainability Education
January 22-March 26, Wednesdays 4:30-7:30 pm and Fri 5- 9 pm on Feb 21, Mar 7, and Mar 21 (educators must be available for all Wednesday dates and at least two of the Friday sessions)
Location: California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Cost:$175/program for individuals, $125/program per person for teams (scholarships possible)
This is the second of two Informal Science Educator professional learning programs for informal educators interested in exploring the theory and practice of education within free-choice settings. This program focuses on the process for creating programs and activities that support learners in engaging with environmentally friendly actions. Participants will engage in a rapid prototype/iterative design process. Registration via Survey Monkey application where you may select a single program or choose to attend both. Email
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Junior Naturalist afterschool program for 3rd - 5th grade students
Wednesdays, October 16 - November 6, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter, Palo Alto
The Junior Naturalist program engages children with nature in four Wednesday afterschool sessions focused on Bird Science, Marine Ecology, Native Americans, and resource conservation. There will be snacks, t-shirts, guest presenters, and fun and educational hikes with the naturalist role models at Environmental Volunteers.
Contact: Eric@EVols.org or (650)493-8000 ext. 345
Cost: $75 for 4 sessions (includes t-shirt, snack, guest presenters and merit pins)
Submission deadline: January 5, 2014 (Film Festival is March 2014)
Open to all students grades 6-12
The San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival is accepting student entries for the 2014 Student Film Competition as part of the annual festival! Do you want to get your students involved in telling a story? Producing a short film? Why not focus on the ocean? Prizes for 1st-3rd place.
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Air Expressions: Grant Funding for Clean Air Projects
Deadline: Friday, October 18, 5:00 pm
Grades 9-12: up to $1,500.00
College/University Students: up to $5,000.00
The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District is seeking applications for science and technology projects that advance the understanding of relevant Air Quality and Climate Change issues. The District is soliciting projects from high school and local community college/university students. While each project must be created and completed by students, every project must have an involved academic advisor. The academic advisor will be responsible for project oversight, including technical and grant management. This grant opportunity is ideal for science clubs, science classes, student groups, and individual students.
Teachers and students in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties are invited to apply for grants that use creativity and imagination, to help the District improve air quality and build a better future with informed and motivated young people. Application forms on the website. Applications may be considered after deadline based on fund availability. Please contact the District prior to applying past the deadline.
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September 18 - 30
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, Santa Cruz
Do you love ecology, history, or storytelling? Do you want to connect people with nature?
Become a docent! Find the programs that fit your interests and talents Neary Lagoon Field Programs, Monday & Tuesday, September 16 & 17, 10am-1pm
Hosting and exhibit training September 21, 10am-1pm
"Nat Time" - Natural History Storytime - Thursday, September 26, 2-5pm
Sandhills Exploration Field Program - Monday, September 30, 10am-1pm
Everyone is encouraged to attend a Volunteer Orientation before docent trainings.
For more information contact Daniel at 420-6115 ext 15
Volunteer Opportunity with Environmental Volunteers:
Explorations In Ecology module
September 18 - November 22, 9 am -1:30 pm in San Jose
This training course will prepare you to volunteer in students classrooms around Santa Clara County. Share your love of nature and the environment with today's youth by joining the Environmental Volunteers. No prior experience is necessary. The training will provide you with a foundation and the experience you need to feel comfortable educating students. Volunteer opportunities generally occur on weekdays. Scholarship opportunities are in place so that none are turned away.
Contact Eric (650)493-8000 ext.345. Fee: $75
Avian Science Series: 10 years of research on California Gulls and Western Snowy Plover
September 21, 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Open to the public (appropriate for ages 12 and up)
Location: Environmental Volunteers at the EcoCenter in Palo Alto
Catherine Burns, Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, will be sharing the findings of over 10 years of scientific research on the status of California Gulls and threatened Western Snowy Plovers. This rare opportunity will allow participants to learn more about the breeding behaviors, responses to human development, and effects of wetlands and salt pond restoration on these two conversely related species. Email Eric@EVols.org or call (650)493-8000 ext. 345
Fee: $8 or $5 for EV/SFBBO members.
Wildlife Associates 11th Annual Harvest Party and Benefit for Education
September 22, 11 am - 3 pm, Half Moon Bay
Adult reservations: $125, Children: $45 (children under 4 are free).
The Wildlife Associates Harvest Party is a day of family fun and wildlife discovery benefiting educational programs for children and quality care of the non-releasable animals in the sanctuary. The afternoon celebration includes a gourmet vegetarian lunch, live music, a wildlife presentation and amazing animal experiences. Veteran "Wild Teachers" will be guests of honor, among them a lynx, fox, anteater, sloth, armadillo, kestrel, alligator, tortoise and porcupine.
Sea Otter Awareness Weeks Events
September 22-28
During Sea Otter Awareness Week, presentations will be offered to the community at various venues around the Monterey Bay area. Event information will be posted as events become confirmed. Check back to the website often for updates. Contact Jim Curland, Advocacy Program Director, Friends of the Sea Otter, at 831.726.9010 or email. For event locations, times and descriptions, see the website. Confirmed events include:
September 23:
The Return of Sea Otters to Elkhorn Slough
September 24:
Sea Otters: Sassy Sentinels or Vivacious Victims?
September 26:
What Makes a Sexy Sea Otter? An Investigation of Male Territories
September 27:
Status and Conservation of the California Sea Otter--past, present and future
September 28, 10 am - 2 pm, Wetlands Educational Resource Center, Watsonville
The Watsonville Wetlands Watch invites you to attend The Pajaro Valley Native Plant and Backyard Habitat Festival. At the Festival, you will have a chance to buy native plants, learn about the striking benefits of these vital floras, and see the possibilities for creating a delightful backyard habitat in your own yard. Richard Merrill, founder and former director of the Horticulture Program at Cabrillo College, will be the keynote speaker. Besides the native plant sale, there will be workshops with expert speakers, an Eco Kid Zone, local wildlife displays and presentations including live raptors and snakes, food, music, a raffle with great prizes, free habitat consultations, demonstration habitats, a wetlands wildlife photography exhibit, and a tour of our new greenhouse.
Crystals, Caves and Kilns
Special exhibit at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
September 21 - February 22
This special exhibition will explore the natural and cultural history of limestone, lime, and marble in the Felton - Santa Cruz area. There will be displays of mineral and crystal specimens, 19th century artifacts from the lime industry, never-before-seen historic photos, activity stations for children, and much more. Visitors will learn about the geologic history of the area and how marble caves form. Enjoy a series of fall field trips, each on a different theme: geology, historic lime kilns, and the environmental impact of the lime industry.
Families In Nature: Winter Adventure - Pogonip Geology Walk
October 5, 9 am-noon, Santa Cruz
Museum members: $5. Non-members: Adult $10, Youth $5. Registration
Join an exploration of the geology and natural history of upper Pogonip. Hike with local geologist and historian Frank Perry, looking for mudstone, marble, tufa, old quarries, lime kilns, and springs. Learn about the Ben Lomond Fault and Santa Cruz history while connecting with Pogonip's diverse natural features.
Pumpkins in the Park Harvest Fair
October 12, 10 am - 4 pm, Guadalupe River Park in San Jose
Pumpkins in the Park is a harvest fair with a strong environmental education component. It is designed to promote awareness of the Guadalupe River Park, celebrate the fall season, and bring families into the park for a day of learning and fun.
Connect with Nature: Lime Making in the Valley
October 19, 10 am-1 pm, Santa Cruz
Register
Join renowned geology and history expert Frank Perry as we explore the historic lime kilns and quarry sites along Bull and Bennett Creeks (not usually open to the public). Frank will share stories from the annals of the Bull, Bennett, and Holmes lime companies, and discuss how the watershed is recovering from these early-day industrial operations.
Wildlife Education Day "Kid's Corner"
October 26, 10 am - 3 pm at Blackberry Farm in Cupertino
Join Santa Clara Valley Audubon to celebrate nature at Wildlife Education Day! See live birds, reptiles, big cats, insects, and more; build a birdhouse; and much more! For more details visit www.scvas.org and click on call (408) 252-3740. This is FREE event. TEACHERS: your students may participate in a poster contest as a class, highlighting California Native Wildlife!
EcoCenter Docent Training
November 2-16, Saturdays, 1pm - 5pm, Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter in Palo Alto
The Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter is a new nature and visitor center in the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve. No prior experience is necessary. Volunteers help with the center during open hours (M, Th, Fr, 11am 1:30pm, Saturdays, 10am - 3pm) on a flexible basis. There is a course fee of $25, and scholarship opportunities are in place so that none are turned away. Email Eric or call (650)493-8000 ext.345
Family Tide Pool Day
November 16, 11:30 am - 4:30 pm, Pacific Grove
For ages 5 and up. An adult must accompany all children.
Participants will learn what tide pools are, what it takes to live there, and create their own crafty intertidal critter. You will investigate the local intertidal habitat with expert naturalists and observe some fascinating animals! Bring your own lunch and get ready to explore this awesome miniature world. Registration deadline is 11/8/13. Email Camp Sea Lab
Nat Time: Natural History Storytime at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Ongoing on Thursdays, 3:30-4pm, Santa Cruz Free with Museum admission
Each Thursday the museum highlights a local animal, habitat or natural history topic with stories, songs, puppets and Museum artifacts.
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K-6 LESSON PLANS
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Activities
In preparation for Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day (October 15) and the first International Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Summit being held from October 14-16 in Monterey, a collaborative group has developed classroom activities for grades K-6. Educators, policy makers, and researchers have worked together to create materials for schools in the Monterey Bay region (where leatherbacks feed) and in isolated areas of Indonesia (where the same leatherbacks nest). Local students will have a chance to learn about Indonesian school children, use the developed activities, and suggest ways to improve the activities before they are sent to Indonesia. Participating teachers will be entered in a drawing to attend the summit and have the cost of a substitute covered.
ONLINE EE RESERVATIONS
Science by Nature.org Science By Nature is a non-profit initiative that provides "one-stop shopping" for K-12 science and environmental education programs and resources in the San Francisco Bay Area.
K-8 FIELDTRIPS
The Abby Sobrato Science and Sustainability Center at Walden West
Location: Saratoga
$12/student with a minimum of $200/program
Reservations by email or call (408) 573-3080
During half-day field trips, students rotate through three investigative stations where they explore the outdoors and participate in a hands-on inquiry-based science lesson and a sustainability-related lesson. These activities complement teachers' classroom lessons and are aligned to California Science Standards.
PreK-7 FIELD TRIPS
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History The Museum offers a variety of docent-guided school programs. Tours are fun and engaging, grade-specific and aligned with CA state standards. Call 420-6115 x 10, or email to schedule your class for a Museum-based school program. Program topics include:
- Ohlone culture and history: preschool- 4th grade
- Animal habitats and adaptations: preschool- 4th grade
- Self-guided tours: Only $15/class.
- Neary Lagoon Wetland Walk: 3rd grade
- Neary Lagoon Watershed Walk: 5th grade
- Sandhills Geology Field Program: 7th grade
EDUCATION MATERIALS KITS
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Education Resources Loan Program
Kits contain real artifacts and teaching resources such as posters, charts, books, and materials for photocopy. Mounted specimens and slideshows add exciting dimensions to learning. Content areas include: Native people, earth science, seashells, invertebrates, vertebrates, and native plants. Available for one-week rentals.
Call 420-6115 x 10 or email us to reserve.
ONLINE RESOURCE
World Water Monitoring Challenge
World Water Monitoring Challenge is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of local water bodies. Many resources and opportunities are available at their website.
VIDEO
Trash in the Deep Sea: Bringing a Hidden Problem to Light
Using advanced technologies, such as remotely operated vehicles, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is helping to uncover the far-reaching presence of man-made debris in deep ocean ecosystems. Includes details specific to the Monterey Bay Area.
DOCUMENTARY FILM
Plastic Paradise
Many teachers attended the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Plastic Pollution Summit in early September and will find this film relevant to plastic pollution issues. This award-winning documentary follows a journalist/film maker on a voyage of discovery to Midway Atoll.
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CREEC Regional e-Newsletters are a publication of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Office, California Department of Education.
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Copyright � 2013 Reprints and Permission: Although CREEC holds the copyright to this email, we grant permission to use our copyrighted text for a variety of education related purposes, and therefore encourage dissemination and sharing via social media and other reprint, reproduction or dissemination whether electronic or hard copy print.
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