Grant oppertunity

A new grant funding opportunity for farm to school/school garden programs…. ERS wants to get the word out about a opportunity for funding research on the nutrition impacts of Farm to School and School Garden programs from the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs http://ben.cornell.edu/grants-and-research.html (letter of intent due Jan 15, 2011).

on line EE courses

http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx

Environmental Education Online Courses offered through the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point

Register now for spring online courses for environmental educators! Registration deadline is January, 13th. http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx

* Fundamentals of EE: January 27 – April 22
* Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences: January 27 – April 22
* Applied EE Program Evaluation: January 27 – April 29
* NEW COURSE! Needs Assessment in EE and Interpretation: January 27 – March 11

Looking ahead to summer…Summer 2011 course offerings:

* Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences: June 1 – August 26 (tentative)
* Fundamentals of Environmental Education: June 1 – August 26 (tentative)

Project Blue Planet Contest at the National Zoo

The National Zoo wants you to know about its new contest, Project Blue Planet. It's a national effort to encourage students to encourage sustainable practices in their schools or communities.
Help your middle school earn a “Seal” of Approval. One lucky group will win an exclusive look at the Zoo’s new seal and sea lion exhibit!

It’s easy to feel small in the face of large environmental problems, especially now with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, but kids can make a huge difference. How? By starting an eco-team to educate classmates and inspire them to take action for marine life.

This new contest challenges kids nationwide to get their schools and communities involved to improve the environment for marine life. A healthy planet starts in your school (and school yard) even for people who live far from the ocean. We will provide the tools you need to get started, and National Zoo Green Team members will be on hand to help you along the way.

Depending on your school’s environmental priorities, there are four ways you can achieve a “Seal” of Approval. Form your team and follow easy instructions that will help you reduce waste, improve energy use, and create healthier environment for students and local wildlife.

Register now and start your project!

Keep in mind that once your project is complete, you will need to submit the following:

* Research on at least one marine species, showing how your project benefits sea life
* Description of how the project educates others
* Documentation of up to ten photos and/or a link to a video (five minutes maximum) showing the project from beginning to completion
* To be eligible, projects must begin after September 1, 2010 and end by April 30, 2011 Winners will be announced in June 2011.

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Education/BluePlanet/default.cfm

Hey teachers, administrator, class mom's - your help is needed!

Information needed for an article regarding the ways that schools and communities integrate art into their school yard habitats and gardens. If you would like to share innovative ways that your institution has integrated art, please email dmalosh@outsideartlessons.com

Green Happy Hour!

Green Ambassador’s Greentini A Happy Hour Celebrating “Green Goodness”
You are invited to celebrate “green goodness” with the Green Ambassador, in toasting businesses, private corporations, organizations, legislators and elected officials that are leading Maryland’s Green Pathways. Featured Green Venue Fells Point Arcos Restaurante 129 South Broadway 96% reused, restored, recycled construction 12/7/2010 (5p-8p)

Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange program for Education for Sustainable Development

The 2011 Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for ESD will provide up to 48 U.S. teachers and administrators with the opportunity to travel to a three-day conference in the U.S. and to Japan for two weeks to learn about ESD efforts and strengthen ESD curricula in both countries. ESD is “a vision of education that seeks to balance human and economic well-being with cultural traditions and respect for the earth’s natural resources,” according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Up to 48 educators from Japan will travel to the United States in late April, and up to 48 educators from the U.S. will travel to Japan in late June. At the end of the program in each country, all 96 educators will gather for a few days of joint collaboration. For more information about the program, or to access the online application, please visit our website at www.iie.org/esdteacher. The application deadline is January 6, 2011.

Thank you in advance for your assistance promoting this program. Please do not hesitate to contact us at esdteacher@iie.org or 888-527-2636 if you have any questions.

Kind Regards, Susan Gundersen & Erin WatariJapan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for ESD

Institute of International Education1400 K Street NW, Suite 650Washington, DC 20005Tel 888-527-2636Fax 202-326-7672