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Welcome back to another school year! I am looking forward to seeing all of the incredible green practices occurring in your schools and to hearing stories of how your students are taking action to make their environment greener.
Share your MD Green School examples!
Throughout the year I would love to share what you are doing with our Maryland Green schools network. When you post on Facebook or Twitter, don't forget to tag us at @MAEOE.MD on Facebook and @MAEOE_MD on Twitter. I will re-post what you posted and include how it fits into the #MDGreenSchool application. Feedback from teachers participating in the program says that they are receiving some wonderful ideas to try.
2016/17 Application changes
There a few small changes/additions to the 2016/17 Maryland Green School application. First we have added modified guidelines for Pre-Kindergarten schools and for Special Needs schools. The main structure and requirements of the application are the same. The examples in each section are specific for these schools.
Second, we have added systemic partnerships to Section 3 of the application.
Please read the updated guidelines before you submit your application. For all information about the application, please check out http://maeoe.org/green-school-application/.
NEW THIS YEAR: MAEOE is offering professional development!
This fall/winter, MAEOE will be offering a full day Professional Development workshop.
Content:
Lesson plans: clean air (sustainable practice: healthy school 2.7) and energy conservation (sustainable practice: energy conservation 2.2) Aligned: NGSS, STEM and Environmental Literacy Standard 1 (Obejctive 1)
Expert presenters in Clean Air and Energy Conservation (Objective 3)
MAEOE resources for loan - demonstrated and practical application
Student reflection and action - how to encourage student leadership and involvement in the design and implementation of sustainable environmental best management practices (Objective 2)
This workshop will be eligible to count towards the 10% Professional Development requirement (Objective 1)
I hope you have an enjoyable first month of school,
Christina Gladmon
Program Coordinator
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)
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December 16, 2016: Deadline for the Intent to Apply Form and Fee
February 2-5, 2017: MAEOE Conference (Professional Development Opportunity)
March 17, 2017: Application Deadline
May 18th, 2017: MAEOE Youth Summit and Green School Awards Ceremony |
Want to learn more about the Maryland Green School Application? Check out one of our Green School Application Information Sessions
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) presents the 2016-2017 Green Schools program! This 3-hour session will provide an introduction and overview of the Maryland Green Schools program and the application process. You will also be provided with examples of successful applications and tips to take back to your school. If you are planning on submitting an application to become a new Maryland Green School, this session is important. If you re-certified or certified during the 2012-2013 school year, your school is scheduled to re-certify year. We will go through the application which has had several updates in the last 4 years, and we will share new examples that can help you to organize and present your on-line application. Please note, all sessions run from 4:30-7:30 and light snacks will be provided.
9/27: Environmental Concern, 201 Boundary Ln, St Michaels, MD
10/03: Claud E Kitchens Outdoor School at Fairview, 12808 Draper Road Clear Spring, MD 21722
11/8: MAEOE’s Office: 7761 Waterloo Rd, Jessup, MD 20794
12/8: Brookside Gardens Visitors, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
Registration is required. Please click here to register. There is a $10 fee for the session. |
2017 MAEOE Conference
The Science and Art of Environmental Education
Save the date: February 2-5, 2017
Towson, Maryland, in Partnership with Goucher College
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Stay tuned for more information!
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| ***Is your school or center 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*** |
Free Admission to the Aquarium for MD School Groups
The National Aquarium offers free admission to Maryland school groups from Sep 1, 2016 to Feb 28, 2017. Group leaders must have attended a teacher orientation, which are offered on multiple Saturdays at 10:30 and 12:30, and multiple Tuesdays at 4pm. Details and the complete schedule is attached. Registration is required – contact the Central Reservations office at 410-576-3833. Space is limited. To find out more information: Teacher Orientation
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Every Kid in a Park
As part of President Obama’s commitment to protect our nation’s unique outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit and enjoy them, the Obama Administration today launched the second year of the Every Kid in a Park program, which gives fourth graders and their families free access to federal lands and waters nationwide for a full year.
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Fourth graders can visit the Every Kid in a Park website to obtain a free pass that provides access to federally managed lands and waters – including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries. The pass – which features a new design for this year’s students – is valid from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017 and grants free entry for fourth graders and up to three accompanying adults (or an entire non-commerical vehicle for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 sites across the country.
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 Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Educational Trunks
Bring the outside into your classroom with these unique hands-on, interdisciplinary teaching tools. These education trunks are designed to educate students while building on fundamental disciplines like math, art, social studies, science, language arts and physical education. Education Trunks are available free to educators in Maryland for a one to two week period, depending on availability. For more information, click here.
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| Maryland Green Centers |
| When is the last time you said "Hello!" to your local Green Center? Green Centers have resources for your school like materials, offering professional development, programming, and the list goes on! Here is our list of all our MD Green Centers (along with contact information). |
| Below are some Events and Green Holidays. If your school plans a school wide activity for one of the Green holidays you could use it on the MD Green School app under section 1.4. Look for ** for events to use on your Green school application. |
 Environmental Concern's Fall Fest
Join Environmental Concern for their Fall Native Plant Sale and Family Festival! For more information: http://www.wetland.org/.
Check out the community workshops:
- Native Plants for Cleaner Water and Happy Pollinators
- Lifecycle of the Monarch Butterfly
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Chesapeake Biological Lab Open House
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Anita C. Leight 20th Anniversary Open House |
September 10th, 1-5 PM
146 Williams St, Solomons, MD 20688
This celebration of science on scenic Solomons Island will feature family-friendly activities, opportunities to engage with our team of faculty and student scientists, and a "behind the scenes" view of current research efforts. The event will give children of all ages the opportunity to drive an underwater robot, meet a terrapin, get hands-on with a watershed model, discover the fish of the Patuxent River, take a dockside tour of the research vessel Rachel Carson, and much more.
http://www.umces.edu/cbl/sign
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September 17th, 1-4 PM
700 Otter Point Rd, Abingdon, MD 21009
Stop by anytime during the day to enjoy party
refreshments and a historical photo perspective
of the last 20 years of fun and scientific discovery.
http://www.otterpointcreek.org/events/details/1688/
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| International Coastal Clean Up** |
Recycle Bowl** |
September 17th
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/our-work/international-coastal-cleanup/
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Registration closes October 14th.
https://www.kab.org/recycle-bowl/
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Thanks to our following sponsors for their generosity:
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In This Issue
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2016-2017 Green School Dates
Green School Information Sessions
School Tip: Indoor Air Quality
Professional Development Opportunities
MAEOE Conference
Did you know? Resources for Teachers
Grant Opportunities
Upcoming Events
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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| Tip of the Month: Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Classroom |
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1. Keep ventilation units in the classroom free of clutter.
2. If you have a classroom pet and it causes an allergic reaction, relocate the pet to another part of the classroom or replace the pet with fish/animals that does not trigger allergies.
3. Reduce the number of items made of cloth in your room. These materials attract dust mites, which can negatively impact students.
4. Keep an eye out for moisture build up in and around your classroom. Excess moisture can lead to mold. Report any issues to your custodial staff.
Adapted from https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools
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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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Grant Opportunities
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| GreenWorks Grants: Project Learning Tree offers GreenWorks! grants up to $1,000 to schools and youth organizations for environmental service-learning projects that link classroom learning to the real world. Students implement an action project they help design to green their school or to improve an aspect of their neighborhood’s environment. To be eligible, applicants must have attended a PLT workshop, either in-person or online, that provides training, lesson plans, and other resources to help integrate these projects and environmental education into your curriculum or youth programs. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2016. Funding will be distributed in December 2016. https://www.plt.org/resources/greenworks-grants/
Captain Planet Foundation: The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. Grants are made for activities that conform to the mission of the Captain Planet Foundation and MUST have all four of the following to be considered for funding: Be project-based; Projects must be performed by youth; Projects must have real environmental outcomes; Be based in the United States. Grants from the Captain Planet Foundation are intended to: Provide hands-on environmental stewardship opportunities for youth; Serve as a catalyst to getting environment-based. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2016.
http://www.captainplanetfoundation.org/apply-for-grants/
Green Thumb Challenge: It's that time of year again! GEF and Gardener’s Supply Company have teamed up on an exciting funding opportunity for established youth garden projects nationwide! The organizations are calling on schools and youth groups to submit chronicles of their garden projects in a race to win a $250 prize. The award is designed to support the continued sustainability of an exceptional youth garden program that has demonstrated success, and has impacted the lives of kids and their community.The deadline to apply is September 30, 2016.
http://bit.ly/2bIWSsf
Chesapeake Bay Trust: Outreach and Restoration Grant - The Chesapeake Bay Trust is excited to introduce a grant opportunity available, in partnership with the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works, the City of Gaithersburg, Charles County Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, and Howard County, to fund projects that both improve communities and improve or create local natural resources like green spaces, parks, tree canopy, and more. This grant program funds projects in partner areas as well as throughout Maryland. The deadline to apply is September 28, 2016.
For more information: http://bit.ly/1s3vVjN
BirdSleuth Garden Grants: School gardens provide the context for lessons across subjects and offer a wonderful opportunity to engage students in hands-on, project-based learning. Students who engage in school gardening are likely to experience academic, physical, emotional, social, and even behavioral benefits. We are seeking 10 dedicated teachers within the United States who strive to bring STEM and healthy living from the garden to the classroom. These teachers will receive a $500-$2,000 grant, gardening supplies, and BirdSleuth’s Habitat Connections kit thanks to our sponsor Alaska Fertilizer. Funds may be used to support the building or revitalization of school gardens. In addition to food gardens, preference will be given to bird, pollinator, native habitat, rain, and other natural projects. Deadline to apply: October 3, 2016. http://www.birdsleuth.org/garden-grants/
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