Read about these environmental education success stories supported by DEP Environmental Education Grants in 2019.
-- Reading Area High School: Living Learning Laboratory Project Earns National Award: Reading High School [Berks County] used its Environmental Education Grant to renovate an underused courtyard into a Living Learning Laboratory. Key to success: The Green Team.
These teachers, administrators, and facility managers met regularly to plan construction and identify ways to meaningfully engage the school community.
For example, they surveyed department heads to identify how the courtyard renovation could best suit curriculum needs. An advertised Build It Day generated broad interest.
Students’ active participation was crucial.
The Eco Club presented the project to school board members, generating valuable support. In fact, the students’ actions resulted in Reading High School’s achieving a National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA Bronze Award!
Opportunities for teacher professional development, including sample lessons for using the courtyard, will be provided when school resumes.
-- Philadelphia Solar Energy Association: Junior Solar Sprint Educates Both Students and Teachers about Solar Power: The Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA) used its Environmental Education Grant for its annual Junior Solar Sprint, an initiative that provides teacher trainings and educational resources and engages middle school students in hands-on solar energy education.
The Philadelphia School District provided solar car kits for every student whose teacher completed one of PSEA’s three teacher trainings.
With the 2020 event canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, PSEA invited students to submit a video of the solar-powered cars they built. A Certificate for Innovation, Technical Accomplishment and Perseverance went to every student who submitted a video.
Teachers have reported students are enthusiastic about solar energy. Teachers are interested in resources and ideas for expanding classroom content to include solar energy and climate science.
-- Green Valleys Association of Southeastern PA: Water Works Program Emphasizes Interactive Learning: The Green Valleys Association of Southeastern PA, Inc. used an Environmental Education Grant to engage 262 fourth-grade students at Owen J. Roberts School District in Chester County in the 2019-2020 Water Works program.
The program was packed with informational large- and small-group interactive activities held in 2019.
For example, students used Google Earth to view water flow and flora and fauna of the local watershed; had fun using props, such as a giant toothbrush and large “raindrops,” during the clean water demonstrations; and enjoyed studying live macroinvertebrates, indicators of water quality.
-- Westmoreland County Conservation District: Pollinator Garden, Ready for Learners: The Westmoreland County Conservation District used an Environmental Education Grant to construct a nearly one-acre native plant pollinator garden to educate the community.
They worked with County Parks and Recreation to prepare the site in summer 2019 and planted seeds in October.
In the winter, they created a brochure on the importance of pollinators, threats to their survival, what the public can do to help pollinators, and where to go for more information. This spring, they added mature plants to the seedlings and installed educational signage.
Although COVID-19 has suspended plans to have Pennsylvania Master Naturalist trainees and others deliver in-person education programs, the pollinator garden is open to the public.
The Conservation District sent out a newsletter article about the garden in June and will further promote the garden to the public once in-person education can proceed safely.
Falcon Watch
The 2020 Harrisburg Falcon Watch and Rescue started at the end of May, when the three peregrine falcon eyases began showing signs of fledgling.
Forty-one dedicated volunteers, wearing masks and practicing safe social distancing, were stationed in shifts around the Rachel Carson State Office Building (RCSOB) in Harrisburg to observe and lend any needed assistance.
All told, they put in 826 hours in 16 days, spread over three and a half weeks.
Per standard procedure, fledglings that require assistance are transported to Red Creek Wildlife Center, a respected wildlife rehabilitator. Each of the three juveniles spent time at the rehabilitator.
Upon being returned to Harrisburg, two fledglings (one male and one female) flew beautifully. They continue to fly well and improve their hunting skills. Both are expected to leave Harrisburg by the end of the summer.
The third fledgling didn’t fare as well and, during a flight attempt, disappeared from sight. The Watch and Rescue team combed downtown Harrisburg, but couldn’t locate it.
This was a difficult moment for our volunteers as, since 2000, only a handful of falcon fledglings from RCSOB have disappeared.
Still, 2020 must be considered a success, adding two more high-flyers to Pennsylvania’s population of the state-threatened peregrine falcon.
Volunteers Sue Hannon and Jane Barnette deserve a special shout-out for the many hours they spent during the 2020 Falcon Watch and Rescue. Their dedication is exemplary.
[Click Here for more on the Harrisburg Falcons.]
Other Articles
The newsletter also contains articles on--
-- Capping Carbon Pollution From Power Plants
-- Developing New Education Standards For Science
-- 2020 Integrated Water Quality Report - How Clean Is My Stream?
-- Healthy Waters, Health Communities Storymap
-- Teacher Mark Lentz: Planting Trees Grows Students’ Power To Make A Difference (Video)
Click Here to read the entire Teaching Green. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
For more environmental ed resources, visit DEP’s Environmental Education webpage. Questions should be directed to Bert Myers, DEP Environmental Education and Information Center, call 717-772-1828 or send email to: gimyers@pa.gov.
[Posted: July 16, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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