Spring is right around the corner- and that means two more months to get ready for our BioSITE Open House.
When: April 12th, 13th, and 14th.
Where: At Children's Discovery Museum
Who: BioSITE students and their families are admitted free of charge!
Some great ideas from past BioSITE classes:
Scrap Books of pictures, data pages, collective reflections.
Classroom quilts showing BioSITE students, nature, leaves, writings.
Photo journals of your BioSITE days.
Student journal pages sharing new knowledge, science questions, and stewardship visions.
And of course-- Art and Poetry showing students expressing their connection to nature. **We will visit your classroom to facilitate this activity! Using the River of Words Curriculum we can guide your students thru an art or poetry exploration-- BioSITE style:-)
And check out this additional opportunity to be inspired by children connecting to nature!!
Children’s Art Exhibition—
A Special Showing of the Winning Artwork from the 2012 River of Words Contest
April 15, 2012—June 10, 2012
Sunday-Wednesday, 11am—4:30pm
Saint Mary’s College Museum of Art
Moraga, California
http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/saint-marys-college-museum-of-art
An astounding exhibit of children’s art from around the world, from the environmentally-themed contest, which was created by River of Words, the newest member of the Saint Mary’s family, and a program of the newly-founded Center for Environmental Literacy at SMC’s Kalmanovitz School of Education.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
BioSITE as Research!!
Calling all Teachers, Students, Stewards!! We are making some exciting plans for our future!!
First of all, we are hoping that our vision of engaged and enthusiastic students working together to build a community based on critical thinking, creative work, and collective voice is part of why you joined our BioSITE team.
As part of this shared goal, we are hoping that you will help us research and showcase the best of the BioSITE experience!!
Starting this year we will be working with a research group from Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science to learn more about what truly makes BioSITE a great program. As we do this, we hope you will support us and become an active part of our learning process. Of course our ultimate goal is to learn how to better serve you and to encourage your students to be activated science learners.
Starting this year, you will be learning more about our program research, how we plan to review our best practices, and how you can help support this work.
Then for next year we will be inviting BioSITE teachers to take a more active role in our learning. Building a better BioSITE and a better world!
Stay tuned for more details to follow...
First of all, we are hoping that our vision of engaged and enthusiastic students working together to build a community based on critical thinking, creative work, and collective voice is part of why you joined our BioSITE team.
As part of this shared goal, we are hoping that you will help us research and showcase the best of the BioSITE experience!!
Starting this year we will be working with a research group from Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science to learn more about what truly makes BioSITE a great program. As we do this, we hope you will support us and become an active part of our learning process. Of course our ultimate goal is to learn how to better serve you and to encourage your students to be activated science learners.
Starting this year, you will be learning more about our program research, how we plan to review our best practices, and how you can help support this work.
Then for next year we will be inviting BioSITE teachers to take a more active role in our learning. Building a better BioSITE and a better world!
Stay tuned for more details to follow...
STEP Season and More!
Salmon and Trout Education Program
It's time!! Get out your STEP equipment and start preparing for your STEP teaching units. If you need any help- just let us know. We also have STEP activities available for check out!
Speaking of Check Out--
Remember to check out the list of classroom kits available for you as a BioSITE teacher. Enrich your science studies, expand on BioSITE lessons, engage your students. We want to help you do more- without working harder!
Updates on CREEC
More information is coming your way- ON Teacher Trainings, Science Teaching and Best Practices, and the EEI curriculum and workshops. Check out the news on the CREEC website for all the details @ www.creec.org.
It's time!! Get out your STEP equipment and start preparing for your STEP teaching units. If you need any help- just let us know. We also have STEP activities available for check out!
Speaking of Check Out--
Remember to check out the list of classroom kits available for you as a BioSITE teacher. Enrich your science studies, expand on BioSITE lessons, engage your students. We want to help you do more- without working harder!
Updates on CREEC
More information is coming your way- ON Teacher Trainings, Science Teaching and Best Practices, and the EEI curriculum and workshops. Check out the news on the CREEC website for all the details @ www.creec.org.
Mammoth Discovery! Free field trips for 3rd grade Teachers!
Two field trips in one-- and both FREE!
We have entered into a partnership with Gaudalupe River Park and Garden Conservancy, where they can provide free transportation for 3rd grade classes interested in a Mammoth Discovery! Extended Exploration. This MD! EE field trip would include transportation funds for you to leave from your school, to CDM and have time to explore through the MD! Exhibit, then a short bus ride over to GRPC for extension activities like a river walk to imagine what it was like when Lupe was alive, and a geo-caching activity that teaches about geologic time…….and more! Then of course the bus trip back to your school! The conservancy has received a grant for transportation scholarships and we have provided you with free field trips—so what are you waiting for?
We have entered into a partnership with Gaudalupe River Park and Garden Conservancy, where they can provide free transportation for 3rd grade classes interested in a Mammoth Discovery! Extended Exploration. This MD! EE field trip would include transportation funds for you to leave from your school, to CDM and have time to explore through the MD! Exhibit, then a short bus ride over to GRPC for extension activities like a river walk to imagine what it was like when Lupe was alive, and a geo-caching activity that teaches about geologic time…….and more! Then of course the bus trip back to your school! The conservancy has received a grant for transportation scholarships and we have provided you with free field trips—so what are you waiting for?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
It's Wonderful Wildflower Time!
Fall rain and cool weather mean it's safe to start sowing wildflowers! Wildflower seed can be planted any time between November and early March. For those of you who have already received "Wonderful Wildflowers" activity materials, you are good to go!
If you have not yet, but would like to receive some high quality wildflower seed and instructions for doing the "Wonderful Wildflowers" activity with your class, we still have some available.
Email Biret at badden@cdm.org to request a packet while supplies last. Masters and instructions will arrive with your packet, or click on the following links to download: instructions, envelope, and slideshow. Happy planting!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
BIOS.I.T.E. 2011 - 2012
November Update
Fall has been quick-- and productive! The entire BioSITE calendar is full- and we are looking forward to the work ahead of us. Over 1,000 river guardians will be engaged this year at more that five watershed study sites.
Pioneer-
Always stellar and always finding new ways to engage students.
Leland and LelandPlus-
We have an amazing group of high school mentors that already have proven that they are up to each task! Along with the Friday Field program, Leland is partnering with us to offer a mentor experience to ACE elementary classes.
ACE teachers can sign up to have their ACE Day 3 at Leland and have the trained mentors work with their students.
ACE-Yahoo!
As we fine tune what we offer as the ACE experience- we are also reminded that the core of our program is ultimately successful because we engage students in real hands on- minds on thinking. In the classroom or in the field- BioSITE students are finding out more!
BIC-
This week BioSITE staff, partnering with the City of San Jose Environmental services department and their Creeks Come to Class program, will be starting a new program at Independence High School. BIC, BioSITE, Independence Teaching Academy, and Creeks Come to Class will be facilitating in class watershed lessons for elementary students using the 'Enviroscape' model and engaging these young stewards in field monitoring.
ACE teachers can also sign up to have the Creeks Come to Class program for their classes!
ACE Program Strands--
This year we have fine tuned our ACE days to better meet the needs of the different elementary level classes we serve, and the specific science teaching goals of our individual teachers. The core mission of ACE, as always, is essentially and most importantly to provide students with an authentic field study experience in water quality monitoring and watershed science. By the end of the three day experience, every ACE student will have participated in field study methods, journaling, water quality testing, and surveys to study the health of the local riparian community. How we do this may vary slightly as teachers choose which of the three strands they would like us to focus on with their students. As we develop these strands, more information and tools will be posted for our ACE teachers, and we hope to gather feedback from all participants so we can continue to develop successful outcomes for all!
ACE Teachers-- below you will see the objectives for each of the strands. We have a full gallery of materials and lesson plans for our BioSITE teachers, so we want to design a three day expereince that will best serve your students needs. We also are workign on a tool to help you see how each strand connects to State Standards and Environmental Education Principles and Concepts. Look for that to be posted under important docs..soon.
Watersheds:
Students will learn the features of a watershed and the specific landmarks of our Guadalupe River watershed.
Students will learn how organisms in our watershed are interconnected.
Students will become aware of the specific issues and concerns in our watershed and how they can make a positive difference in the health of our watershed.
Being a Naturalist:
Students will learn how a field scientist conducts investigations in the field.
Students will practice the skills of observation and data collection to gain a better appreciation of the diversity of living things.
Students will study the interconnections of the flora and fauna of riparian communities and be introduced to current environmental issues.
Scientists and Research:
Students will be engaged in scientific studies of their local natural history and how changes over time have been influenced by development.
Students will practice data collection, field surveys, and team research.
Students will learn skills and methods of analyzing field data and practice interpreting their work to form good questions and further learning.
Fall has been quick-- and productive! The entire BioSITE calendar is full- and we are looking forward to the work ahead of us. Over 1,000 river guardians will be engaged this year at more that five watershed study sites.
Pioneer-
Always stellar and always finding new ways to engage students.
Leland and LelandPlus-
We have an amazing group of high school mentors that already have proven that they are up to each task! Along with the Friday Field program, Leland is partnering with us to offer a mentor experience to ACE elementary classes.
ACE teachers can sign up to have their ACE Day 3 at Leland and have the trained mentors work with their students.
ACE-Yahoo!
As we fine tune what we offer as the ACE experience- we are also reminded that the core of our program is ultimately successful because we engage students in real hands on- minds on thinking. In the classroom or in the field- BioSITE students are finding out more!
BIC-
This week BioSITE staff, partnering with the City of San Jose Environmental services department and their Creeks Come to Class program, will be starting a new program at Independence High School. BIC, BioSITE, Independence Teaching Academy, and Creeks Come to Class will be facilitating in class watershed lessons for elementary students using the 'Enviroscape' model and engaging these young stewards in field monitoring.
ACE teachers can also sign up to have the Creeks Come to Class program for their classes!
ACE Program Strands--
This year we have fine tuned our ACE days to better meet the needs of the different elementary level classes we serve, and the specific science teaching goals of our individual teachers. The core mission of ACE, as always, is essentially and most importantly to provide students with an authentic field study experience in water quality monitoring and watershed science. By the end of the three day experience, every ACE student will have participated in field study methods, journaling, water quality testing, and surveys to study the health of the local riparian community. How we do this may vary slightly as teachers choose which of the three strands they would like us to focus on with their students. As we develop these strands, more information and tools will be posted for our ACE teachers, and we hope to gather feedback from all participants so we can continue to develop successful outcomes for all!
ACE Teachers-- below you will see the objectives for each of the strands. We have a full gallery of materials and lesson plans for our BioSITE teachers, so we want to design a three day expereince that will best serve your students needs. We also are workign on a tool to help you see how each strand connects to State Standards and Environmental Education Principles and Concepts. Look for that to be posted under important docs..soon.
Watersheds:
Students will learn the features of a watershed and the specific landmarks of our Guadalupe River watershed.
Students will learn how organisms in our watershed are interconnected.
Students will become aware of the specific issues and concerns in our watershed and how they can make a positive difference in the health of our watershed.
Being a Naturalist:
Students will learn how a field scientist conducts investigations in the field.
Students will practice the skills of observation and data collection to gain a better appreciation of the diversity of living things.
Students will study the interconnections of the flora and fauna of riparian communities and be introduced to current environmental issues.
Scientists and Research:
Students will be engaged in scientific studies of their local natural history and how changes over time have been influenced by development.
Students will practice data collection, field surveys, and team research.
Students will learn skills and methods of analyzing field data and practice interpreting their work to form good questions and further learning.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Good News! There WILL be a STEP (Salmon and Trout Education Program) Training this January!!
We just got the official go-ahead so let me know ASAP if you are interested in this fantastic workshop. This program supports our BioSITE year in many many ways and your students will be able to directly apply lessons learned to current watershed issues and concerns.
Salmon and Trout Education Program
http://www.mbstp.org/.
Interested teachers should contact sderby@cdm.org
It's not too early to start thinking about student projects that you would like to display at Children's Discovery Museum this April.
We would greatly appreciate the chance to showcase reflections, artwork, or journaling from your BioSITE students. Let's start now to plan something special!
River of Words
http://www.riverofwords.org/
Interested teachers should contact sderby@cdm.org.
Mark the date! GROWING UP WILD WORKSHOP
@ Childrens's Discovery Museum: January 21, 2100
Please forward this important information to all who may be interested in this great opportunity.
Growing Up Wild
http://www.projectwild.org/growingupwild.htm
Interested teachers should contact badden@cdm.org.
We just got the official go-ahead so let me know ASAP if you are interested in this fantastic workshop. This program supports our BioSITE year in many many ways and your students will be able to directly apply lessons learned to current watershed issues and concerns.
Salmon and Trout Education Program
http://www.mbstp.org/.
Interested teachers should contact sderby@cdm.org
It's not too early to start thinking about student projects that you would like to display at Children's Discovery Museum this April.
We would greatly appreciate the chance to showcase reflections, artwork, or journaling from your BioSITE students. Let's start now to plan something special!
River of Words
http://www.riverofwords.org/
Interested teachers should contact sderby@cdm.org.
Mark the date! GROWING UP WILD WORKSHOP
@ Childrens's Discovery Museum: January 21, 2100
Please forward this important information to all who may be interested in this great opportunity.
Growing Up Wild
http://www.projectwild.org/growingupwild.htm
Interested teachers should contact badden@cdm.org.
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