Conferences
and Professional
Development
Growing
a Green Generation ~ March 18, 2006
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension will host their
second annual Growing a Green Generation Conference focusing on
gardening with young children. Click
here for more
details.
Connecting
Learning and Living ~ February 24 & 25, 2006
Iowa State University Extension is offering a two-day training in Madrid,
Iowa, where educators can learn how to incorporate gardening into classrooms
or out-of-school
programs. Connecting Learning and Living (CLL) combines
training in three curricula with the purpose of connecting
student
learning
to living on the planet Earth: Growing in the Garden (grades
K-3), Where
We Live (grades
4-8), and Food,
Land, and People (K-12). For more information, please visit
here.
Tropical Ecology and Conservation Class
Designed for non-traditional students such as continuing education
adult learners and teachers seeking professional development opportunities,
this University of Wisconsin Web-based course delves into the astounding
biodiversity and intricate ecological complexity of rainforest
and other tropical ecosystems. Click
here for more details.
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Resources for Educators
NEW! Harvest
of History Curriculum
Few
schoolchildren today understand how food travels from farm
to table or the importance of agriculture in the history. Harvest
of History addresses these concerns by providing a technology-focused
experience for people to learn about agriculture and rural
life in a fun and exciting way. The Web site focuses on New
York State agriculture and will help students understand their
rural roots, while meeting state and national education standards
for social studies and science. Visit
the Harvest of History Web site to learn more
and to
download materials.
Growing a Green Generation
Growing a Green Generation is an online gardening curriculum
from the University of New Hampshire for preschool and kindergarten
educators. Visit
their Web site to view lessons, activities and videos.
Spring's
Journey North: New projects begin Feb. 1!
Join
the more than 11,000 schools that will watch spring sweep across
the
northern hemisphere by following the migration patterns of monarch
butterflies,
bald eagles, whooping cranes, and other animals; the budding
of plants; changing sunlight in “mystery class” locations; and
other
natural
events -- all for free! This premier
Internet-based “citizen science” projects lets students
share field observations with classmates across North America and analyze
live maps and data from other
classroom
and professional scientists. Each
Journey North study features standards-based lessons and challenges,
stunning
photos and video clips, weekly migration updates, interactive
maps, reading selections, connections with field scientists, and
compelling migration “stories.” They also provide guidance for helping
students conduct local inquiries and fit them into a global context. Click
here for links to all spring Journey North projects.
Seeking Pilot
Classrooms for Pollinator Curriculum
Nature's
Partners: Pollinators, Plants, and You is designed for students
in grades 3-6. Is an informal science curriculum that includes
six sessions, each with multiple activities that can be adapted
to a
variety of teaching environments. The North American Pollinator Protection
Campaign is administering the pilot
program. To learn more, visit the EE
in Georgia Web site.
___________________________
Funding
Opportunities
Still
Time to Apply! "Remember Me" Rose
School Garden Awards ~ Apply by Feb. 1!
This award will help 20 schools establish rose gardens to commemorate the events
of September 11th. Beyond their commemorative significance, each garden will
also be a catalyst for education in conflict resolution and mediation skills,
preparing students to seek and achieve fair and peaceful solutions. For more
information and to download an application, click
here.
NEW! Healthy
Sprouts Awards
These awards support school garden
programs that use the garden to teach about nutrition and the
issue of
hunger in the United States. Sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company.
In this grant cycle we will present awards to 25 schools or organizations.
Each will receive a $200 gift certificate to Gardener's Supply
Company and a curriculum package from NGA. Apply by October
15, 2006. To learn more or download
an application, visit
here.
12th
Annual Kids Growing with Dutch Bulbs Awards ~ This
program of the Mailorder Gardening Association, offered in conjunction
with
the International
Flower Bulb Center, Dutch Bulb Exporters, and the North American
Flower Bulb Wholesalers Association, awards
schools with a package of 200 premium Dutch flowering bulbs and
related educational activities.
Application deadline: April 1, 2006. Learn
more here.
2006
Mantis Awards ~ Mantis proudly announces its expanded
2006 award program in support of charitable and educational
garden programs that
enhance
the quality of life in their host communities. In partnership with
Mantis, NGA will select 25 gardens to receive a prize: 20 will
each receive a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator, and five will receive
a ComposT-Twin composting system. We welcome applications from
all nonprofits; past winners include
community gardens, schools, ministries,
colleges, master gardening groups, and hospices. Learn
more here.
VIVA!
Garden for Schools Contest ~ deadline March 31, 2006
VIVA! wants to recognize classrooms that are active in school gardening
and that have brought the excitement of gardening to children. Gardens
will be awarded in the categories of: Most Creative Garden Design,
Best Garden Plan, and Best Use of Space. Winners will receive Home
Depot gift cards. Click
here for more information and links to an entry form.
