Summer Workshop on Great Lakes Climate Science in Bay Village and Toledo

Beyond Polar Bears: Teaching Great Lakes Climate Science
June 11, 2012
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center (Bay Village)

August 7, 2012
University of Toledo

http://changingclimate.osu.edu/topics/education/

Learn about activities for teaching regionally relevant climate science in your classroom, work through hands-on lessons with fellow educators, and get suggestions on how to adapt classroom activities to informal and outdoor education settings.

These free workshops are taught by educators who have used the resources in their own classrooms. We’ll cover Ohio Sea Grant’s updated Great Lakes climate curriculum, along with climate and Great Lakes literacy principles, and informal resources like OSU’s Global Change, Local Impact webinar series.

If you can’t attend in person, Ohio Sea Grant will also offer a shorter introductory webinar in the fall.

Please email Christina Dierkes to request a registration form for the one-day workshops, or with any questions you have about the events.

Workshop on Central Ohio Environmental Education Resources June 14

Science Resources Within Your Reach
June 14, 2012
8:00am-3:00pm
Highbanks Metro Park Nature Center

School administrators, curriculum advisors, principals, and teachers are invited to discover Central Ohio’s environmental education resources. Participants will learn ways to fund field trips, engage in hands-on activities and learn about resources available from various parks, organizations and agencies that specialize in environmental education. In-class and field trip opportunities will be discussed. Included in the day is a resource fair with information available for all grade levels. Although this workshop is designed primarily for those in traditional school/classroom settings, all are welcome to attend.

Additional Notes:

• Workshop is free.
• Morning and afternoon sessions for presentations and activities and afternoon (11:45-1:30 p.m.) resource fair
• Participants seeking graduate credit or CEUs must contact Susan Boggs 614-895-6211 or sboggs@metroparks.net.

Registration Open for Project WILD Facilitator Training at Mohican State Park March 28-29

Ohio Project WILD Facilitator Training
Mohican State Park Lodge and Conference Center
March 28-29, 2012
Registration begins at 9:30 am on Wednesday. Workshop ends at 3:00 pm on Thursday.
Cost: $90—covers food, lodging, materials and take-home items.
You must be able to attend the entire two-day workshop.

Project WILD, Aquatic Project WILD and Growing Up WILD are international programs that provide interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education materials focusing on wildlife. They are designed for Pre-K thru 12 classrooms, youth groups, nature centers and more.

As a volunteer facilitator, you will become one of a network of over 350 formal and non-formal education professionals across the state that provide training to other educators in Project WILD materials and programs. You will also be part of one of the best environmental education networks in the country!

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the registration form.

Contact Jen Dennison, Wildlife Education Coordinator, at outdoor.education@dnr.state.oh.us or 1-800-WILDLIFE for questions or additional information.

Project WILD Facilitator Training Registration Packet

Environmental Education Professional Development Opportunities in 2012 in Central Ohio

Franklin and Delaware Soil and Water and Metro Parks are helping teachers link their students to the environment With Environmental Workshops for Educators, a series of science based workshops for educators of all types held at the nature center of High Banks Metro Park on Route 23 just north of I 270 (except Science Through Stories on February 4th will be held at Spring Hollow Lodge, adjacent to Metro Parks District Headquarters).

Wild About Resources (grades K-12)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
8:30am-4:00pm

Participants will experience a combination of interdisciplinary hands-on activities focusing on wildlife, ecosystems, interdependence and human impact on the environment. Sources for these and related activities will be discussed. Registration fee is $15.

Science Through Stories
Saturday, February 4, 2012 (at Spring Hollow)
8:30am– 4:00pm

Many children’s stories have a good environmental message. Learn how to use literature as a basis for exploring and explaining different environmental topics. Registration fee $20.

Project Wet: Generation 2.0 (grades K-12)
Saturday February 25, 2012
8:30am-4:00pm

Experience and receive the new edition of Project WET: Water Education for Teachers. Now in full color, Guide 2.0 offers new activities on topics such as National Parks and storm water. This resource guide contains teacher-tested and classroom ready interdisciplinary activities developed to engage students in a better understanding of water as a resource, a habitat and a source of life. Guide 2.0 includes dozens of new activities, updates of many original activities and extensive literature connections. Registration fee is $25.

Project WILD – Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife
Saturday May 5, 2012 (grades 9-12)
8:30am-4:00pm

Designed to serve as a guide for involving students in environmental action projects aimed at benefitting the local wildlife found in a community, this curriculum can help teachers effectively meet state science and social studies standards. It is also designed to involve young people in decisions affecting people, wildlife, and the habitat they share in their community through the development and implementation of a Service Learning Project. The registration fee is $10, materials are provided by ODNR: Division of Wildlife

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Fields at Highbanks Metro Park, (614) 846-9962 or fields@metroparks.net
Linda at the Franklin SWCD, (614) 486-9613, ext. 115 or Linda-pettit@franklinswcd.org
Dona Rhea at the Delaware SWCD, (740) 368-1921 or dona-rhea@delawareswcd.org

Become a Trainer for Four ODNR Programs in Columbus on June 10

The Science Education Council of Ohio is hosting a jumbo “train-the-trainer” event for four ODNR environmental education programs (Science and Civics, Project Wild, Project Aquatic Wild, and Growing Up Wild) on June 10 from 8am-5pm in Columbus. Contact SECO President Tracy Cindric at tlkcap@yahoo.com for more info.

Registration Open for Grades 1-3 “A Bug’s World” Workshop in Wooster April 13-14

They are not just creepy-crawlies! Insects play vital roles in our world. And they are exceptional, stimulating models for your students to get excited about life science! Each year, interest in touring OARDC’s Wooster campus increases by leaps and bounds, because SCIENCE and the agricultural industry play vital roles today’s curriculum. Over 8,000 students have participated in A Bug’s World so far!!

This FREE, HANDS-ON, INTERACTIVE designed to meet their educational needs by enhancing their knowledge of agriculture and its impact in fun and exciting ways. Last year EACH OF OHIO’S SIX SCIENCE STANDARDS was covered through at least one of the 13 sessions available. To see how this year’s sessions address the benchmarks for your grade level, visit our A Bug’s World site online at www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/visitor

Although we do offer some individualized class tours of campus on alternative dates, selection of activities is much more limited; the vast majority of sessions offered during A Bug’s World are only available during these two days.

Grade 6-12 Environmental Education Workshop in Columbus April 2

Leopold Education Project
Saturday, April 2, 2011
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
High Banks Metro Park

Conservationist Aldo Leopold’s writings teach land ethics and responsibility. They are the basis of this national curriculum for grades 6–12. The interdisciplinary activities provide direct experience with the natural world while instilling land ethics for tomorrow’s stewards. Fee $15.

To register, go to http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/#2

For more information contact:

• Elizabeth Fields at Highbanks Metro Park, (614) 846-9962 or fields@metroparks.net
• Linda at the Franklin SWCD, (614) 486-9613, ext. 115 or Linda-pettit@franklinswcd.org
• Dona Rhea at the Delaware SWCD, (740) 368-1921 or dona-rhea@delawareswcd.org

Early Childhood Environmental Education Workshop in Columbus February 12

Early Environmental Education
Saturday, February 12, 2011
8:30am– 4:00pm
Sharon Woods Metro Park

Introducing preschoolers to the abundance and wonder of nature is the purpose of this workshop. It will include the Growing Up WILD activity curriculum from Project WILD and the Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood Education from Project Learning Tree. These interactive lessons concentrate on using our senses to learn about the natural world and are geared for teachers of students ages 3-6. Fee $25.

To register, go to http://reservations.metroparks.net/programs/16694/36403.34975/

For more information contact:

• Elizabeth Fields at Highbanks Metro Park, (614) 846-9962 or fields@metroparks.net
• Linda at the Franklin SWCD, (614) 486-9613, ext. 115 or Linda-pettit@franklinswcd.org
• Dona Rhea at the Delaware SWCD, (740) 368-1921 or dona-rhea@delawareswcd.org

Resources for Studying “Fracking” for Natural Gas

2010 saw a large increase on public attention on the practice of hydraulic fracturing (also referred to as “frac’ing” or “fracking”), particularly in its use to extract natural gas from the shale within the Marcellus Formation, which runs under much of Appalachia. Hydraulic fracturing creates underground cracks that allow the natural gas to be more easily extracted. However, concerns have been raised about the impact of the process on the environment and health.

2011 appears to be shaping up to be a year for increased discussion in Ohio about the merits of hydraulic fracturing. For example, there will be public hearings this month in Stark County on a proposal for a local moratorium on the practice.

In your classroom, the topic provides an opportunity to discuss:

• the geology, chemistry, and physics of the Marcellus Formation energy reserves and the hydraulic fracturing process
• the role of the Marcellus shale’s natural gas in the nation’s energy consumption
• the economic benefits of the Marcellus Formation natural gas industry for Ohio’s economy
• the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on the environment and health
• the balance between the pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing within a state and national strategy for sustainable energy use

Science behind hydraulic fracturing

• American Petroleum Institute: “Natural Gas Horizontal Shale Drilling” (video)
• Canton Repository: “Fracking 101“
• Earthworks: “Hydraulic Fracturing 101“
• New York Times: “Chemicals and Toxic Materials That Come with Hydrofracking” (March 1, 2011)
• US Environmental Protection Agency: “Hydraulic Fracturing Background Information“

Economic benefits

• American Petroleum Institute: “New study finds natural gas in Marcellus Shale region worth 280,000 jobs, $6 billion in government revenue” (July 22, 2010)
• Associated Press: “Kasich eyes gas riches of vast Marcellus Shale” (December 31, 2010)
• Newark (OH) Advocate: “Marcellus looks to be major player for natural gas” (January 6, 2011)
• Ohio Business Development Coalition: “Profitably Access The Marcellus Shale Market in Ohio’s Enterprise Region” (January 6, 2011)

Environmental impact

• American Petroleum Institute: “Hydraulic Fracturing at a Glance” (February 10, 2009)
• Associated Press: “Pa. allows dumping of tainted waters from gas boom” (January 3, 2011)
• Huffington Post: “‘Fracking’: EPA takes new look at natural gas drilling And possible water contamination” (July 21, 2010)
• NPR Talk of the Nation: “New film investigates ‘fracking’ for natural gas” (June 18, 2010)
• US Environmental Protection Agency: “Hydraulic Fracturing Research Study” (due to be completed in 2012); “EPA Submits Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Study Plan to Independent Scientists for Review” (February 8, 2011)
• Watertown Daily Times: “Gas company sending fracking wastewater to Ohio” (January 6, 2011)

Laws and Regulation

• New York Times: “Regulation lax as gas wells’ tainted water hits rivers” (February 28, 2011)
• Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal: “American Law and Jurisprudence on Fracing” (December 1, 2010)

Recent community actions in the news

• Akron Beacon Journal: “Fracking debate heats up: Industry experts, watchdogs face off over safety of drilling tactic” (January 21, 2011)
• Associated Press: “Shareholder groups join opponents of ‘fracking’” (January 21, 2011)
• Reuters: “City of Buffalo bans hydraulic fracturing” (February 8, 2011)