What a terrific year we have had. You and your schools have accomplished some spectacular “Green” work! This spring we welcomed 52 new Maryland Green Schools and 64 schools recertified. As we wrap up the 2014/15 school year at MAEOE we are already planning for next year! Check out our featured school and submit your story for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.
Whether you are a teacher or a non-formal environmental educator we hope that you find the information provided in these bi-monthly newsletters helpful in your efforts to build and continue sustainable green practices at your school.
The Maryland Green Schools Newsletter contains professional learning and funding opportunities, environmental literacy implementation updates, ideas for green schools and important dates. Please share this newsletter with colleagues and partners interested in the Maryland Green School program.
Have a terrific summer! If you have comments or Sustainable School practices that you would like to share please contact MAEOE at greenschools@maeoe.org .
Laura Johnson Collard
Executive Director
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)
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We are for the Summer Season to come around and hope you are too. If you last certified in 2011 or 2012 you are due to recertify in the 2015-2016 School year. Although applications are due in the Spring of 2016, we encourage you to treat the application like an Art Portfolio and start collecting documentation as early as possible. We have online support on the MAEOE website including applications from last year and the rubric used to review applications. We also have an extensive network of Green Leaders and Green Centers who would love to assist you with the process.
Please take a look at the timeline below to get an idea for how you should be spacing out your school year. Feel free to email us with any questions that you have might have at greenschools@maeoe.org.
Green Schools 2015/2016 Timeline:
June 23, 2015, 10am- 1pm: Green Schools Committee Meeting. MAEOE Office, Jessup, MD.
Fall 2015: Green Schools/Green Leader Trainings throughout the state. Locations and Dates TBA
December 2015: Intent to Apply Fee due for schools applying in Spring 2016
March 2015: Green Schools/Green Leader Trainings throughout the state. Locations and Dates TBA
Spring 2016: Date TBA: 2016 Green Schools Applications Due
May 2016: Date TBA: Green Schools Youth Summit
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Over 2,300 students and teachers gathered at Sandy Point State Park on May 29th for the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) 6th annual Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit. The summit featured an awards ceremony that honored the 116 schools that received Maryland Green Schools status or re-certifications this year. Over 30 organizations were on hand to run interactive learning stations that provided schools with ideas about how to lessen their environmental impact. This year, middle and high school students were involved in a Green Jobs Scavenger Hunt in our Environmental Literacy Fair. Throughout the hunt, students were tasked with asking a question of exhibitors in order to receive a stamp or signature. Prizes were given to students who collected stamps in a passport!
Another featured activity was student recordings of “TED-Style Talks” about their favorite Green Activity. It was a great way to capture how students felt about their green accomplishments and their Green School culture. The video snapshots will be featured on the MAEOE website starting this summer.
This year’s Welcome Ceremony included keynote speakers from two MD Green Schools, Robert Goddard French Immersion School in Prince George’s County and Dunloggin Middle School in Howard County. The students spoke about their green clubs and their involvement with environmental sustainable practices in very interactive and informative presentations. Another highlight of the ceremony was the welcome provided by Secretary of Maryland Department of Natural Resources Mark Belton. He praised the students for their hard work in environmental sustainability and the positive impact that they are having in their schools, communities and Maryland. Maryland State Department of Education Representative Gary Hedges recognized this year’s National Green Ribbon Award winners J.C. Parks Elementary School of Charles County, Northwest High School of Montgomery County and Howard County Public School System.
It was a great day and we appreciate all the hard work from our sponsors, partners, teachers, students and volunteers. We hope that you will join us next year and let others know what a great time you had on the banks of the Mighty and Beautiful Chesapeake Bay.
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Davidsonville Elementary is a Sustainable Green School! This prestigious distinction is due to the efforts of teachers, parents, students and community members. Beginning in the Fall of 2003, our Green School Committee has met on a monthly basis to address environmental issues. In the past ten years, our children have participated in and benefitted from so many “green” experiences. They have built the “Seeds of Learning” Garden, created “No Idle” zones, pledged to help the earth, raised butterflies from caterpillars, harvested plants to protect waters at Homestead Gardens, collected recyclables and upcyables, watched birds in local neighborhoods, worked with the US Naval Academy Cycling team & local churches to clean up our gardens, built bluebird boxes for our school grounds and studied subjects in our outside classrooms.
Because of our geographic location, we have been part of Chesapeake Connections; working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to protect the Chesapeake Bay. Classes have raised turtles and oysters to make the bay healthier, released the diamondback terrapins at Poplar Island, also planted their oysters in a protected reef in the Chesapeake Bay.
Davidsonville’s commitment to our Green School continues and we will forever raise our Green School flag high!
  
| ***If your school or center has been doing Green School Activities that you would like to share, send a write up of 200 words and a few pictures to greenschools@maeoe.org and your school could be featured in the next newsletter*** |
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) 2016 Annual Conference- Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Stewards: Engaging Students, Schools and Communities
In February 2016, The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) will bring educators, resource personnel, scientists and researchers together to share experiences and ideas. Be a part of the Annual Conference! Do you have great ideas, lesson plans or favorite activities that you want to share? Are you an expert on cutting edge Environmental Education topics? Consider presenting at the 2016 MAEOE Conference, February 4-7, 2016 at the Princess Royale in Ocean City, Maryland.
Please view information at http://www.maeoe.org/conference and use the link to submit your proposal for pre-conference workshops, conference sessions and field trips. The on-line proposals are due no later than September 14, 2015, 5:00pm. Thank you for being a part of MAEOE!
Flying Wild
6/17/2015
Boyds, MD 20841, USA
Flying WILD: Wednesday June 17th; Cost=$15. Flying WILD is a bird education program suitable for upper elementary and middle school aged students. Participants will receive the Flying WILD guide at the end of the workshop. More info here:
Please visit this link for details
Environmental Literacy in Howard County
6/22/2015 - 6/26/2015
Howard County, MD, USA
This course is only open for elementary and middle school teachers in Howard County.
Join us for a hands-on course to learn about local ecosystems and how to use them as valuable teaching tools. We will explore schoolyard habitats, land-use issues, and inquiry-based learning techniques for both inside and outside the traditional classrooms. This professional learning opportunity will give you the tools to build your students’ environmental literacy with a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach. Participants will take home an array of activities and lessons that can be incorporated into the school curriculum.
Length & Location: 5 days local in Howard County
Cost:$300 per person
Please visit here for more information
Chesapeake Ecology for Educators: Anne Arundel County Elementary Schools
Karen noonan Education Center
7/20/2015 - 7/24/2015
This course is only open to elementary teachers from Glen Burnie and Severna Park area schools.
Join the AACPS Outdoor Education Program and Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a 5-day investigation of Anne Arundel County and the Chesapeake Bay. Learn about your local ecosystems and how to use them as valuable teaching tools. Explore schoolyard habitats, water quality, and land use. Acquire resources and techniques to teach your students about watershed dynamics and how life upstream affects ecosystems downstream. Earn credit by helping to develop new and exciting environmental literacy Project-Based investigations for your students.
Length & Location: 5 days - 2 local day trips, 3 days/2 nights at CBF's Karen Noonan Education Center
Cost: The course fee is $0 thanks to grant support.
To Register: Register on the ERO system, Course Code: OUT33614 SRN: 3361415001
Please vsit here for information and registration
Scholarships Available for Hog Island Audubon Camp, Sharing Nature: An Educator's Week
July 19-24, 2015
Muscongus Bay, Maine
Join environmental educators from around the country for a dynamic and fun-filled residential program on Audubon's famed Hog Island, in the scenic mid-coast area of Maine. Designed for both science and non-science educators, this session will generate exciting ideas for creating and incorporating environmental education activities into your curriculum and teaching. Our inspiring and experienced instructors will share their favorite approaches, methods, and activities for engaging you, and your students, with nature. The National Audubon Society is looking for Teachers from Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds for this exciting annual program. Scholarships and CEU credits are available.
For more information please go to hogisland.audubon.org or email hogisland@audubon.org
WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands
August 3, 2015, 10am – 4pm
Environmental Concern’s Wetland Learning Center, St. Michaels, MD
WOW! introduces participants to wetland ecology through a study of the three parameters of wetlands: vegetation, soils and hydrology. Participants will also learn about wetland functions and values by utilizing K-12 cross curricular, inquiry based activities. Leave with a wetland resource guide with over 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities, and ideas for student action projects.
Cost: $45
For more information click here
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In This Issue
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Follow MAEOE
Follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as our blog for the latest information about professional development opportunities, job announcements, and Green Schools deadlines.
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EnviroTip of Month
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Green Up Your Summer Picnics and Other Trips
- Pack plenty of local, in-season fruits and vegetables and organic meat for you and your guests. Check out your local farmers market for ideas.
- Try to choose a picnic destination that’s easy to get to by biking, walking or using public transportation. Check out Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Trail Link database to discover new hiking, biking and equestrian adventures that await you and your picnic basket.
- For food storage and leftovers, pack reusable tins and canisters. Choose washable, reusable cloth napkins and tablecloths - check your closets again for old bandanas and bedsheets that you don’t mind getting dirty.
- If reusable isn’t an option for cups, plates and utensils, choose biodegradable items or look for products made from recycled materials.
- Remember to take your waste with you. Leftover picnic food in trashcans is often tempting to park animals.
See more Green Tips Here
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Green Leaders Needed
Do you have experience putting together a green school application? Are you interested in assisting a school or more with Sustainable Schools activities or helping a school build a green team? Sign-up to be a Green Leader! Explore the Green Leader Page here. Email mdgsorganizer@maeoe.org for more information
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Green Our Planet Crowdfunding Platform
Green Our Planet is a unique, mission-driven, non-profit funding platform for green projects worldwide. Raise funds via your community as well as worldwide corporate sponsors. There are no fees and unlike other crowd funding platforms you will be able to keep the funds you raise, even if you don't meet your original funding goal. For assistance with this process please contact kelly@monarchsisterschools.org.
Find out more here.
The Bill James Environmental Grant
Deadline: March 31, 2016
This grant offers up to $1,000 to school groups, science and ecology clubs, and other nonprofit youth groups for proposed environmental education projects. The objectives of the grant is to encourage a sense of stewardship and personal responsibility for the environment; stimulate a better understanding of environmental issues and more.
For questions, please click here, call 410-514-7900 or email KMB.dnr@maryland.gov.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Restoration and Outreach Grants
Categories include Restoration, Environmental Education and Outreach. Do not limit yourself to environmental education, there may be opportunities in the other categories. Explore the opportunities here.
Donorschoose.org
"DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers post classroom project requests on the site, and [donors] can give any amount to the project that most inspires [them]." Green Schools can use this method to get materials for outdoor classrooms and other environmental education activities. Before using this site, please refer to your district's policy for accepting donations.
Local Bussinesses
Local bussiness may be willing to make in-kind donations of their products. Click here for some tips about asking for In-kind Donations. It never hurts to ask!
Unity Gardens' 2015 Fall Grant
Deadline: End of August 2015
Anne Arundel County
This Grant cycle begins in July 2015 and runs through the August deadline . Up to $1000 grants are awarded to non-profit organizations such as schools, scout groups and community organizations in Anne Arundel County who support the building of community partnerships through the creation of greening projects, environmental enhancement and education. Please visit the Unity Gardens website www.unitygardens.org. For questions, contact Barbara Dowling at unitygardensaa@gmail.com or 410 703-7530.
Below are listed other grant sources:
Project Learning Tree Green Works!
ESchool News Funding
GrantsAlert
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
GetEdFunding
Office Depot Foundation
Farm to School
Mackin Grant Channel
Toshiba America Foundation
Teachers Count
Lowe's Toolbox for Education
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Contests and Awards
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2016 Annual Pass Youth Art Contest
Deadline: October 19, 2015
This Youth Art Contest given by the Assateague Island National Seashore will feature the winners on their Annual Park Pass! Click Here
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National Wildlife Photo Contest
Deadline: July 1, 2015
This contest celebrates the power of photography to connect both photographers and viewers with wildlife and the outdoors.
Click here for more
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