What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Tisdale Environmental Education Awards Close November 20, 2009

From Environment Council of RI:

Attention RI Middle School and High School Science Teachers, Science Club Supervisors, and environmental organizations working in schools:

The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund (ECRI Ed Fund) is pleased to announce the application period for the Fifth Annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Fund awards.
 
The Loraine Tisdale Fund honors a woman whose energy for a just and healthy environment is legendary. Mrs. Tisdale held an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a degree in nursing. For many years she led an organization that addressed safety and health issues concerning pesticides.

We are pleased to offer 3 grants of up to $250 to teachers or environmental organizations for support of projects that
1.      Have student participation
2.      Lead to measurable improvement in the environment
3.      Involve the community beyond a school in some way

The application deadline is November 20, 2009 and awards will be made in January 2010 for projects to be undertaken in the Spring of 2010.

Please see http://www.environmentcouncilri.org/tisdale10.html for further details.

Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Awards Deadline ~ November 20, 2009

From the Environment Council of RI Education Fund:

Announcement of Application for Environmental Education Awards

Dear RI Middle School and High School Science Teachers, Science Club
Supervisors, and environmental organizations working in schools,

The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund (ECRI Ed Fund) is
pleased to announce that we are opening the application process for the
Fifth Annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Fund awards.

The Loraine Tisdale Fund honors a woman whose energy for a just and healthy
environment are legendary. Mrs. Tisdale held an undergraduate degree in
chemistry and a degree in nursing. For many years she led an organization
that addressed safety and health issues concerning pesticides.

We are pleased to offer 3 grants of up to $250 to teachers or environmental
organizations for support of projects that
1. Have student participation
2. Lead to measurable improvement in an environmental condition
3. Involve the community beyond a school in some way

The application deadline is November 20, 2009 and awards will be made in
January 2010 for projects to be undertaken in the Spring of 2010
.
Applicants should complete the below application and attach a one page
description of the project including the cooperative components of the
project, what the participants will gain, and how the success of the project
will be measured. Applicants should note that a final report with at least
one photograph of the project in progress must be produced at the end of the
project and presented to the Environment Council by July 15, 2010.
Applications should be sent to the Environment Council of Rhode Island
Education Fund .

We would prefer that applications be emailed to us at
environmentcouncil@earthlink.net but will also accept applications by mail
to:
ECRI Ed Fund
PO Box 40568
Providence RI 02940

The Environment Council is more than willing to answer any questions you
have about the program and to discuss potential projects with you. We can be
contacted either by email at the address listed above or by phone at
621-8048.

Sincerely,
Greg Gerritt
for the ECRI Ed Fund


Application for the Loraine Tisdale Fund Environmental Education Awards
1. · Name of Applicant
2. · Address
3. · Phone/ email
4. · Name of Project Leader/ Director/ Responsible Person
5. · Name of group/ school sponsoring the project
6. · Town in which project will occur
7. · Number of persons carrying out project
8. · Purpose of project
9. · Budget for the project, including sources of funds and
whether those funds are in hand
10. · Completion date for project

Please include a one page description of the project including the
cooperative components of the project, what the participants will gain, and
how the success of the project will be measured.

We would prefer that applications be emailed to us at
environmentcouncil@earthlink.net but will also accept applications by mail
to:
ECRI Ed Fund
PO Box 40568
Providence RI 02940

Walk in the Forest ~ October 15, 2009

From RI DEM:

WALK IN THE WOODS WITH FORESTERS
Annual Forestry Program Will Be Held on October 15 by the Scituate Reservoir

            PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (RISAF) and the Department of Environmental Management have announced their 17th annual "Walk in the Forest" program and invite school classes and the general public to participate. The program is designed to educate the public about the benefits of healthy forests and how foresters care for them.

            “The 'Walk in the Forest' program is scheduled in the fall because it is such a beautiful time to be in the woods,” said Paul Dolan, deputy chief of DEM’s Division of Forest Environment and education coordinator of RISAF. Foresters will lead small groups through the woods on hour-long tours, and explain what participants see around them. “Rhode Islanders are interested in learning about their environmental surroundings,” Dolan said. "With 55 percent of Rhode Island covered by forests,” he added, “this educational program has always drawn a good response.”

Children's Garden Network Garden Directory Registration Opens ~ There's Good Reason to Register by February 15, 2008

From Stu Nunnery & Children's Garden Network:

The Children's Garden Network (CGN) Launches Website and School Garden Directory

For Immediate Release
January 23, 2008

Media Contact
Stu Nunnery
401-592-0209

Providence, RI At Pilgrim High School in Warwick, the Peace, Happiness and Serenity Garden will allow students to display Asian-inspired sculptures that they create in class. For students at International Charter School their butterfly garden is being designed to provide hands-on learning experiences that are tied to curriculum standards. This and additional information from these and other schools and youth organizations in Rhode Island will be available to see on the newly launched Children's Garden Network website.

The website features the CGN Garden Directory that allows schools and youth organizations that have a garden in place or in process to register on line, add pictures and edit information about their garden places and programs throughout the year.

Whether employing an indoor grow box or windowsill pot, creating a green space next to the playground, or still in the planning stages, all schools and youth organizations are invited to register. Simply log onto www.ChildrensGardenNetwork.org and click on the 'Register Your Garden" tab.

"We want to assist schools and youth organizations to be more visible to the community and to others who might be able to help them grow their garden programs. And they're an inspiration to others as well," says Stu Nunnery, Director of the RI Center for Agriculture Promotion and Education (RICAPE), the non-profit organization coordinating the initiative – "Campaign 2010 – A Garden at Every School." Through the CGN, RICAPE last year provided grant and service awards to 12 schools around RI to jump start the campaign and develop model programs whose experiences might inspire others. Throughout the campaign, the CGN Team will assist communities to grow garden education programs with the goal of such a program at every school and youth organization in RI by the end of the decade.

Each registered location will be counted toward the 2010 goal. Schools that register their gardens by February 15 will be featured in the Children's Garden Network garden display at the Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show from February 21-24 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.

"We're excited about the launch of the Children's Garden Network website and the responses to it. It's filling an important need." says Nunnery. "The critical issues for most schools growing garden programs are organization, planning and resources. This site provides important guideposts along the way and details on how to access what's needed." In addition to the CGN Garden Directory, the site generates the "Comm-Post," an e-newsletter available to anyone who signs up for it on line.

For more information contact Stu Nunnery at ricape@cox.net or call 401-592-0209

Rhode Island Junior Solar Sprint Leader Workshop ~ February 9, 2008

From Apeiron Institute:

PASS THE WORD TO MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATORS (Grades 5-8)!

Free RI Junior Solar Sprint Leader Workshop

Junior Solar Sprint is open to young people between the ages of 10 and 14, who design and race their own MODEL SOLAR ELECTRIC CARS with the guidance of teachers, troupe leaders, parents or other helpful grown ups. Young people develop hands on skills as engineers, craftspersons, scientists and solar power whizzes through this highly motivated learning experience. JSS teams use a standard photovoltaic solar panel, motor, rules and appropriate instruction, and they create the fastest, coolest car they can.

When:   Saturday, February 9, 2008

                     10:00am – 2:00pm

       Where:  Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living
                   451 Hammet Road, Coventry, RI 02816

[Ed. note: See the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association for program details but note that that website lists Providence as the meeting location. This posting's Coventry location is more reliable because the source of this post is Apeiron. Check with Apeiron directly. ~ sk]

       Cost:     FREE! Pizza provided too!

       Pre-Register:  Call Apeiron at 401.228.7930   or email elisabeth@apeiron.org

Participants come away with:

* A basic parts kit and program support materials

* Global warming and carbon cycle activities

* A chance to win a solar panel for competition level construction

* The opportunity to register for the race in May          

The 2008 RI Junior Solar Sprint design and race competition will be held on Saturday, May 17th at a location TBA. Find out more about last year's program. The Northeast Region Junior Solar Sprint Program is coordinated by Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.    

River in the Classroom ~ May & June 2008

From Blackstone Valley Tourism Council:

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is pleased to offer high quality, inquiry-based education programs.
These programs will complement your students’ classroom learning experience. Contact us or read below to find out how our programs meet your curriculum needs.

Programs are offered in the classroom and on board the Riverboat Explorer.

              River-in-the-Classroom

We can customize our programs to meet your teaching objectives. Book any one of the in classroom programs with a River Science Investigation or Heritage Exploration and save. Package Fee: $300

               Discover the Blackstone! (K-12)

An informative classroom experience and introduction to the historical and natural features of the Blackstone River. Slideshow and discussion.

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Watershed Investigation (grades 3-12)

Explore the Blackstone River ecosystem through a classroom-based tour of the Blackstone River Watershed. The investigation builds on the introductory program above and includes hands-on activities about river ecology, water quality, and effect human development has had on the watershed.

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                Eco-Industrial Legacy (grades 5-12)

 

This multidisciplinary program examines the development of “America’s hardest working river”, the first polluted river, the Blackstone and efforts to revitalize it. Through activities students learn how cultural and natural history are connected and what actions we can take to keep the river clean.

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Views of the Valley (grades 6-12)

Adapted from Dunn Foundation’s ViewFinders Too, this interactive program enhances student relationships with their heritage and local environment. One-day teacher workshops available to present the eight-week classroom curriculum.