 | News and Views | December 2013
A Publication of the California Department of Education STEM Office |
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| Statewide Coordinator's Message |
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Last spring, I wrote that I was sending a blue marble to our son, Sean, who is serving in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I received the marble at a NOAA B-WET meeting in Corralitos as part of the Blue Marble Movement, spreading awareness and love for our oceans around the globe. 
The marble finally arrived in Freetown this fall and made its way to the village of Kamasondo, where Sean presented it to his host family "sister", Mariatu Sesay, pictured at right.
Sierra Leone has some of the most beautiful pristine beaches on the globe that provide habitat for five species of endangered sea turtles. Its ocean waters support a fishing industry that employs 25% of the coastal population and provides an important source of food. Clean water is a precious commodity in this country striving to rebuild itself after years of war.
This image of Mariatu holding the same marble that I carried around in my pocket last spring conjures up many emotions. I feel a bond with this girl that I've never met, and a sense that the world is a very small place indeed. Wherever the marble travels next, I hope it encourages a similar sense of connection and awareness that we all share a very fragile and beautiful home.
Wishing you peace this holiday season, 
Anne Stephens, Statewide Coordinator The CREEC Network California Department of Education, |
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Updates from the California Department of Education 2016 Revision of the Science Framework: SB300 (Chapter 480, Statutes of 2013) calls for the revision of the Science Framework for California Public Schools Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (Science Framework) to align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). A Draft Schedule of Significant Events for the 2016 Science Framework (DOC) is available to view and is pending approval by the State Board of Education. Four focus groups across California will provide input into revision of the Framework. The focus group meetings will be open to the public, and comments made at each meeting will be forwarded to the Instructional Quality Commission and the State Board of Education for consideration. Each focus group will include between 10 and 15 invitees, who are being selected to ensure balanced representation of regions, types of schools, and grade-level experience. Updates from the North American Association for Environmental Education US EPA's Themes - Meeting the Challenge Ahead  CREEC is part of the North American Association for Environmental Education's "Expanding Capacity in Environmental Education" Project, or "EECapacity" for short. EECapacity encourages innovation by promoting the exchange of ideas among professionals with diverse perspectives. Among the goals of EECapacity is to help educators and community leaders better understand and address the US Environmental Protection Agency's environmental priorities. The priorities are described on the EPA site, which is linked via the image below.
NAAEE Launches Early Childhood EE Site:Natural Start
Join the Natural Start Alliance! NAAEE is proud to announce the launch of its  newest initiative, aimed at early childhood environmental educators. If you work with young children, or care about connecting young children with nature and the environment, the Natural Start Alliance will help you connect with educators and parents, find resources, keep up to date on research, learn about professional development opportunities, and more. Learn more online at NaturalStart.org and join the conversation on Facebook today! Certificate of Distinction for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental EducatorsNAAEE is developing a Certificate of Distinction for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators. The Certificate of Distinction will recognize distinguished programs that consistently prepare well-qualified environmental educators who possess the understanding, skills, and attitudes associated with environmental literacy, as well as the ability to apply them in their educational practices. |
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March 27-29, 2014: Green Schools National Conference, Sacramento, CA Website
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Education and the Environment (EEI): Receive Continuing Education Units
EEI's Continuing Education Course, "
Teaching the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) Curriculum,"
is being offered January 13-February 23, 2014. This 6-week online-based course is available to the first 20 paid registrants. By completing this convenient and flexible online course, you will earn one university credit issued by the Department of Extended Learning at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). Visit http://sdcoe.k12oms.org/897-73354 to register.
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Grants, Awards, and Contests
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For a complete listing, please visit the CREEC Grants Page!
The U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition award honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates STEM, civic and green career pathways.
California Arbor Week Poster Contest Deadline: February 14, 2014
California ReLeaf, a statewide nonprofit urban forestry organization, hosts an annual poster contest for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. The theme of the 2014 contest is "Trees Make My Community Healthy" and is designed to celebrate California Arbor Week (March 7 - 14). The poster contest guide is a great resource for classrooms, scout troops, after-school programs and others, and includes variety of lessons, indoor and outdoor activities, and challenges for third, fourth and fifth grade students. One winner will be chosen in each of the three grade levels, each being awarded a $100 cash prize. Winners' posters will be displayed at a booth during the 2014 California State Fair.
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EPA's EE Model Grant Program is currently accepting applications. The program works to engage communities across the country through educational projects that have a lasting impact on local watersheds and air quality. This year's competitive grants program will total $2.77 million. Grants will be awarded from each of the ten EPA regional offices and EPA's headquarters in Washington, DC for a total of 22 to 32 grants. Each award will be an estimated $75,000 to $200,000.
GLP's Student Film Project Contest Deadline: January 17, 2014 Green Living Project (GLP) is accepting student short films for the Fall 2014 Student Film Project. In five minutes or less, student short films should tell a unique and compelling story about a sustainability-related project. Winning films will be screened at GLP Films' events throughout the year, and winners also receive gear and prizes up to $1,000 in value! Contest is open to 6th grade through graduate-level students.
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Opportunities for Students and Teachers
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Deadline: December 15, 2013
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program provides funding for highly accomplished U.S. primary and secondary level teachers to take part in an intensive professional development program for three to four months abroad.
Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT)
Applications postmarked by March 10, 2014 receive priority consideration.
This nationally recognized standards-based program is offered in four different locations around the state. FIT provides K-12 educators with an increased understanding and appreciation of California's forest ecosystems and the complex issues involved in managing the natural resources found in public and private forests.
June 15-21, 2014: University of California forestry Camp near Quincy (Plumas County)
June 22-28, 2014: Sierra Outdoor School in Sonora (Tuolumne County)
July 6-12, 2014: Camp McCumber, near Shingletown (Shasta County)
July 13-19, 2014: Humboldt State University in Arcata (Humboldt County)
Night Skies Arts Academy Travel Scholarship Opportunities for High School Educators
Global Explorers, in collaboration with the National Park Service, is offering a partially scholarship-based travel opportunity to educators and students in the US Southwest. This new program includes a nine-day wilderness adventure focused on artistic expression of the dark night sky. The trip includes a hike into Canyon de Chelly, rafting a portion of the San Juan River, and astronomy lessons with experts from NPS. Through a partnership with the National Park Service, Global Explorers is developing a Climate Change Academy for high school students in Summer 2014. This expedition is currently in development and likely to take place in Alaska, based out of Anchorage with exploration in Kenai Fjords and Denali National Parks. Costs for this program will be largely offset by scholarships from the National Park Service. To receive more information as it becomes available, please email Julia Breul.
Schools may register now for the 3rd Annual Great American Can Roundup School Challenge. The website provides everything needed to run a successful Roundup from a tool kit to posters and curriculum. The Can Manufacturers Institute will award $1,000 to the school in each state and the District of Columbia recycling the most aluminum cans per student and will give an additional $5,000 to the champion per capita recycling school nationwide, which is on top of the value of the aluminum cans. Show your school's green spirit and environmental leadership.
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Environmental Education Resources
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New Publications:
Education and the Environment: Creating Standards-Based Programs in Schools and Districts
Gerald A. Lieberman, foreword by Richard Louv This new publication from Gerald A. Lieberman provides an innovative guide to creating and implementing a new type of environmental education that combines standards-based lessons on English language arts, math, history, and science with community investigations and service learning projects. Order here. 
Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do [Hardcover]
A landmark book by marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols on the remarkable effects of water on our health and well-being.
Why are we drawn to the ocean each summer? Why does being near water set our minds and bodies at ease? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols revolutionizes how we think about these questions, revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, he shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success. Pre-order the book from SLOWCOAST (signed and with blue marbles), Amazon (hardcover or eBook), or iTunes (iBook). It ships or downloads June 10th.
Incorporate Music into your Environmental Education Programs
The Banana Slug String Band offers environmental education presentations and workshops for educators and teachers across the country. Their programs are filled with great music, accurate science, catchy lyrics, best teaching practices, humor and fun. They are available to do keynote presentations, workshops, in-service and exhibitions of educational materials.
Workshops for Teachers  Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an award-winning, nonprofit water education program and publisher. The program facilitates and promotes awareness, appreciation knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs. The Water Education Foundation is the California Coordinator for Project WET. Find a Workshop now! |
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CREEC Regional e-Newsletters are a publication of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Office, California Department of Education.
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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