E3 Washington Showcase News Articles (Newest to Oldest)
Spokane Teacher Named 2010-2011 Albert Einstein Fellow
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- Free Worksheets For Teachers
- Student Sustainability Summit Generates Ideas to Promote Civic Engagement
- Summit Showcases Teacher, Student and Community Collaborations
- Public Listening Session on the President’s “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative”
- WSU 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program Receives National Award
- Lesley University now accepting applications for the Master’s Program in Ecological Teaching and Learning
- Experience award-winning Field Study programs for a fraction of the cost!
Spokane Teacher Named 2010-2011 Albert Einstein Fellow 
ALBERT EINSTEIN DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR FELLOWSHIPS ANNOUNCED Spokane, Washington Teacher Selected for Distinguished Fellowship at the National Science Foundation’s Office of International Science and Engineering The Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education has announced the selection of Steve Schreiner, a Science teacher of 5th - 8th Grade Students at West Valley City School, Spokane, Washington as a 2010-11 Einstein Fellow. The prestigious Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program offers elementary and secondary science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers with a demonstrated excellence in teaching an opportunity to serve in the national education or public policy arenas. One of 32 teachers serving this year, Schreiner was carefully selected from a nationwide pool of applicants. Steve Schreiner teaches 5th-8th grades in multi-age classrooms, focusing primarily on environmental education and scientific investigation design. His students visit authentic places—natural areas, schools, back yards, and businesses—to perform independent research projects, collect data, and form conclusions Schreiner says, “Rather than focusing on textbook knowledge of scientific concepts, I teach students how to ask and answer scientific questions, empowering them to work independently on research topics of their own choosing.” His students have presented their original work to audiences that include school district superintendents, state legislators, and community leaders. His efforts to engage students in environmental field studies earned him the 2008 Outstanding Formal Environmental Educator Award from the Environmental Education Association of Washington. Schreiner holds a BA from Stanford University in Human Biology and a Master’s in Secondary Science Teaching from the University of Washington. He loves travel and adventure and frequently leads his classes on local field trips. He has recently led week-long student expeditions to Yellowstone National Park, Orcas Island, and Puget Sound. His Semester at Sea experience took him to 10 foreign ports of call, from Vietnam to Morocco, and sparked an interest in international travel that continues to this day. For more information about the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program, please visit www.trianglecoalition.org/ein.htm.
Teachnology offers over 8,000 free printable K-12 teacher worksheets and resources for reinforcement and review to use and distribute for educational purposes, as long as the copyright and footer information are left intact. Check site regularly, as new resources are frequently added. Look for an additional 2,000 worksheets in the coming months. http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation has announced an exciting opportunity for area schools to receive free fruit tree orchards. Due to some last-minute withdrawals from particpating schools, three orchards are available to qualified schools in Seattle, Tacoma and Portland on a first-come first-served basis. Please note that the orchards will be planted August 9 & 10. (Update: We have learned that Seattle Public Schools do not allow orchards on their property because it conflicts with their Integrated Pest Management Policy. So FTPF can accept applications from schools in the Seattle metro area, but not Seattle Public Schools proper. They are also looking for at least one school in Tacoma.) The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to benefit communities and heal the earth. As featured on The Today Show, “Fruit Tree 101” is a program that brings fruit tree orchards to schoolyards so students can improve the quality of the air and water while creating a source of tasty snacks for decades to come. Not only do the schoolyard fruit orchards help the environment, but they give students access to an exciting outdoor classroom right on your school grounds. Orchard donations involve, on average, about 20-25 trees minimum. Thanks to the support of a generous sponsor, the trees, materials, orchard installation design work, and onsite environmental curriculum for students are all donated, free of charge, for the benefit of the school and its students. Orchard planting events are fun and offer a wonderful volunteer engagement opportunity for students, parents and community members to improve their community school. “Fruit Tree 101” orchards can serve as outdoor edible classrooms, where students meet to learn about botany, ecology, and how to protect the planet’s health. FTPF’s orchards have been planted throughout the United States and include trees bearing figs, cherries, apples, pears, citrus, cherimoyas, sapodillas, and much more! That means that students across the country have a fresh, healthy source of nutrition in their diets. You can read more about some of the schools that have benefited from the program here: http://ftpf.org/fruittree101.htm. If you would like to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to gain a valuable asset for your school this summer, please contact Robyn du Pré at The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation as soon as possible. Robyn du Pré Director of Outreach and Development Fruit Tree Planting Foundation P.O. Box 632 Mill Valley, CA 94942 360-318-7639 www.ftpf.org
How can students become more involved in their community as they strive to make the world more sustainable? The Tahoma School District and City of Maple Valley Sustainability Summit, held on May 20, brought together nearly 40 people--including high school students, teachers, community members, representatives of local government, state agencies, private organizations and businesses--to delve into topics that aren't always easy to define and for which there may be no clear answers. Their task was to brainstorm how to better involve students in community activities and decisions related to environmental sustainability. Nancy Skerritt, Tahoma Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, advised participants to consider ways to maintain the environment while also providing for human needs, such as jobs, manufactured goods, food and lifestyle. The meeting is an extension of the school district's growing emphasis on environmental sustainability as part of students' regular curriculum. Tahoma has won acclaim for curriculum it has developed, such as "Sounding Off on the Sound," which focuses on the Puget Sound ecosystem and its influence on the economy and ecology of the entire region. Each discussion group generated ideas to help fuel the next steps in the school district's effort to provide leadership opportunities for students. Ideas included:
Superintendent Mike Maryanski ended the evening by expressing his vision for the young people who attend Tahoma schools. “We want to be a beacon in learning how our youth can come together in a variety of ways,” he said. Maryanski said the ideas and comments generated at the Sustainability Summit will be used to plan the next step, which will be to arrive at a shared vision of youth engagement and community leadership. To read the full article, open the PDF attached here.
The Sustainable Design Project encourages teachers and students to collaborate in designing schools of the future. Sustainable Design is a project-based approach to the K-12 curriculum, linking students to interdisciplinary service-learning opportunities beyond the classroom. The project’s culminating summit was held on June 2nd at the Puget Sound Skills Center in Burien. Following are examples of some of these student-led, teacher-facilitated, projects. These and other projects can be found on the E3 Student Project Space at http://e3washington.org/student-project/projects.html.
The Sustainable Design Project is a collaboration among the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Puget Sound Energy, Learn and Serve America, U.S. EPA Region 10, the Environmental Education Association of Washington, and participating schools and school districts. Many other businesses, agencies and organizations across the state are also involved. Stated Beth Kelley, Program Supervisor for Learn and Serve America - Washington State, “It is re-energizing to hear so many examples of high quality service-learning experiences. It reminds me of why we do what we do even though it is not always easy.” For more information please visit the E3 website at www.e3washington.org or the Environmental and Sustainability Education program at OSPI at www.k12.wa.us/EnvironmentSustainability.
“It’s a recognition, passed down from one generation to the next, that few pursuits are more satisfying to the spirit than discovering the greatness of America’s outdoors.” -President Barack Obama, April 16, 2010 A scheduled July 1st public listening session and discussion will provide an opportunity for leaders of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to hear from people in the Northwest about solutions for building a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda and reconnecting people with the outdoors. In the Northwest many citizens and organizations are already deeply involved in the conservation of working farms, forests, lakes, and rivers, scenic lands, and historic areas, and in celebrating and enjoying the region’s rich outdoor and cultural heritage. The America’s Great Outdoors Initiative was established by President Obama in April at a White House Conference specifically to develop a conservation and recreation agenda worthy of the 21st century and to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors. To accomplish this goal, the Administration’s effort will be community driven. The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality have been asked by the President to lead this effort and to listen and learn from people all over the country. Listening sessions will engage a full range of stakeholders including tribal leaders, farmers and ranchers, sportsmen, community park groups, foresters, business people, educators, state and local governments and recreation and conservation groups. Young people play a critical role in shaping our country’s environmental future. In his memorandum establishing the America’s Great Outdoors initiative, President Obama asked that, “special attention…be given to bringing young Americans into the conversation.” We want to engage our youth in this conversation from the beginning, and ensure that their voices are heard in the end. To that end, there will also be a special Youth Listening Session on the same day. See below for details. WHO: Representatives from DOI, USDA, and EPA will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about America’s Great Outdoors. WHAT: Opportunities to share your ideas in breakout groups along with presentations by senior officials from DOI, USDA, EPA, and expert panel discussions. WHEN: Thursday, July 1, 2010 Youth Listening Session: 3:00-5:30pm (Reception to follow.) General Public Listening Session 6:30-9:00pm (Youth also welcome.) WHERE: Franklin High School, 3013 South Mount Baker Blvd., Seattle, Washington, 98144 http://www.franklinquakers.org/school_info/directions.htm Please Register: The event is free and open to the public, but please let us know if you will attend so we can plan accordingly. You may register through: http://www.discovernw.org/ago-signup.htm. For more information on the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative and to submit comments on-line visit: http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/.
E3 Washington works toward a system of education for sustainable communities by inspiring educational networks, public policies, community behaviors and business practices that support sustainable, healthy and thriving environments and economies for everyone
PULLMAN, Wash. – The WSU 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program has won a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Connecting Youth with Nature through Natural Resources Conservation Education Award. The award recognizes outstanding 4-H program development, implementation, and evaluation in wildlife conservation and environmental education. “The youth in our program know they are making a significant difference in their community and the local environment,” said Kevin Powers, Director of the WSU 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program. “They work directly with natural resource professionals assisting with the accomplishment of various monitoring activities and service projects that benefit watersheds, fish and wildlife habitat and the community for years to come.” Now in its eighth year, the 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program has served over 18,000 teens from Chelan and Douglas counties. Youth participating in high school and summer programs assist with Chinook and Coho salmon spawning activities at two federal hatcheries, build interpretive nature trails, and take part in the live capture of mule deer to evaluate the declining species population. Over thirty local, state, and federal agencies partner with the program providing guidance and direction in projects including restoration and maintenance of wilderness lakes, streams and trail systems. Teens monitor water quality and quantity in regional streams and rivers and work with re-vegetation efforts to reduce erosion and improve fish spawning habitat. Recycling programs in their schools reduce the carbon footprint and impacts on landfills. “The 4-H Eco-Stewardship Program has a unique impact on young people,” said WSU Chelan County Extension Director Ray Faini. “Youth work with forestry and wildlife experts to insure their efforts are accurate, reflect critical thinking skills and implementation. Teens stay in school and move into college or careers and have better chances for meaningful employment.” The recognition includes a $10,000 cash award and recognition at the 75th North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, sponsored by the Wildlife Management Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 24. The award is a partnership between 4-H National Headquarters, Cooperative Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lesley University is currently accepting applications for its Master’s Program in Ecological Teaching and Learning. The program is offered in the Pacific Northwest and Maine/Massachusetts. The next cohort starts in July 2010 This is a hybrid Master’s degree designed for educators (formal and informal, ie museums, non profits etc), who want to pursue a graduate degree while working. We offer this low residency program in either the Pacific Northwest or Maine/Massachusetts. The program cultivates ecological literacy and ecological consciousness by focusing on the interface between social and ecological issues and opportunities for transformative change. The program allows students to focus on their particular interests and professional goals, within a strong cohort model and is very reasonably priced to make it more accessible for a diverse array of educators and community change agents. If you have questions please contact: abigaillynam@mac.com http://www.lesley.edu/gsass/audubon/etl_program.html
Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, a collaboration of the City of Bellevue and Pacific Science Center, offers the excitement and wonder of field- and lab-based environmental science to schools in King and Snohomish counties. Come experience our award-winning Field study programs for a fraction of the cost!! Thanks to a generous gift from the Russell Family Foundation, Pacific Science Center is currently able to offer subsidy to qualifying elementary and middle schools within the Everett, Renton and Seattle school districts to participate in environmental field trips! • Qualifying schools must have a free and reduced lunch rate of 25% or higher and must be in the Everett, Renton or Seattle school districts. • For the 2009 – 2010 school year the subsidy will cover part of the cost of the Field Study program, as well as a transportation stipend. • With the subsidy, your fee to participate in our Wetlands Field Study program will range from $50 - $100 per class. This full day Wetlands Field Study package includes: • A 2.5 – 4.5 hour program split evenly between lab- and field-based studies at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue • $125 transportation stipend
• Read the attached descriptions of our programs and subsidy eligibility requirements. • Information about our programs is available at www.pacificsciencecenter.org/slough, along with a summary of how each of our Wetland Field Study programs aligns to the 2009 Washington State K-12 Science Standards. • Call our registration department (206) 443-2925 soon, as funds and spaces are limited, and please identify a few possible dates for participation. • If you have any questions, wish to receive further information or would like to speak to someone about any of the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center programs, please call our Registration department at (206) 443-2925.
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