Subject to Climate: Water is Life lesson
Check out this middle school lesson written by an Oregon teacher during the OECE teacher institute last summer.
World Water Day: March 22-24th
Accelerating Change- Learn.Share.Act
This World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.
And because water affects us all, we need everyone to take action.
That means you!
You and your family, school and community can make a difference by changing the way you use, consume and manage water in your lives.
Your commitments will be added to the Water Action Agenda, to be launched at the UN 2023 Water Conference – the first event of its kind for nearly 50 years.
This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the world to unite around water.
Play your part. Do what you can.
From Oregon Educators for Climate Education:
Support SB 854 and prepare students to fill tomorrow's jobs for a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous Oregon.
Dear Climate Change Education Colleagues and Friends,
It’s time to take action! The Senate Committee on Education will soon hold a Public Hearing for Senate Bill 854, Oregon’s Climate Education Bill! Please submit written testimony for SB 854 as soon as possible. The public hearing will be held Thursday, March 9th at 3:00 p.m.
SB 854 seeks to significantly expand and integrate climate change instruction across all K-12 core subject areas (language arts, sciences, mathematics, social studies, health, physical education and the arts). The multidisciplinary approach aims to help students make connections between the science of climate change and the ways in which it impacts all facets of life. It was entirely written by Oregon educators and students, and now will go through an amendment process before the Senate makes a vote.
SB 854 articulates a pathway for teacher professional development utilizing open source, hope-inspiring, place-based and age-appropriate curricular resources generating and expanding existing curricula developed within Oregon and nationally.
Find out more about the bill, and Oregon Educators for Climate Education
Write your testimony now (template) and submit it online ASAP
How to Submit Testimony Instructions
Submit your testimony ONLINE at Oregon Legislation Information System (OLIS) no later than 3:00 PM Thursday, March 9th
2023 City of Eugene SPLASH! It's not too late to apply!
It's not too late!
If you raised salmon this year or do other water education related projects, take a moment to fill out the application before March 24th to be awarded $500-$2000 to extend the learning!
The City of Eugene is providing their “SPLASH!” grant funding for instruction in science. SPLASH! (Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share!) is a website and curriculum for grade levels K-8 exploring water and the effects of pollution in water systems, the water cycle, and local ecosystems. Also included in this program is the Salmon and the Ecosystem curriculum, available for grades 5-12, which approaches water quality issues with emphasis on salmon and its role in our region’s ecosystem, economy and culture.
Here are the SPLASH! Website and City of Eugene's Classroom Materials sites containing all the grade-level curriculum information and materials.
Here is the link to the 2023 SPLASH! Grant Application. There are two levels of grant funding available: (a) a one time per year per school, up to $2,000 award; or (b) two up to $500 per year per school awards. Funds will be allocated based on alignment with SPLASH! Curriculum; alignment with 4J Science Curriculum, Common Core State Standards and NGSS; and the proposed project budget. A copy of the scoring rubric is attached for your reference. In the event of multiple classroom or grade level applications per school, Principals will need to prioritize the requests prior to submission of completed applications. Please read the application carefully as there are specific restrictions with regard to proposed technology purchases.
Note: Requests for funding of Outdoor School programs will not be considered as State funding has been allocated for Outdoor School for all 4J Elementary Schools.
In order to be considered for funding, completed applications must be received by 11:55 pm on Friday, March 24, 2023.
This is a great opportunity for your school and a nice partnership with the City of Eugene. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the SPLASH! Program or your project eligibility.
March of the Newts from Freshwaters Illustrated
As temperatures moderate, look for Rough Skinned Newts as well as other salamanders and frogs migrating across roads and trails to wetland breeding areas. You'll need to look carefully because these cryptic creatures are experts at camouflage when viewed from above. If you are lucky to find one, it is best to keep hands off: That bright belly is actually a helpful warning, since the small bumps on their backs contain a whopper of a neurotoxin! Garter snakes, the Newts' only predator, have evolved immunity to the toxin.
This month's film, March of the Newts, celebrates the cute and communal nature of breeding behaviors of many amphibians, in this case Rough Skinned Newts, and follows their determined migrations from overwintering habitats to aquatic breeding habitats. This film also alerts us to a concerning pathogen, Bsal, that is threatening amphibians in many parts of the world, but has not yet been found in North America. Download the March of the Newt's Educators Guide to find useful vocabulary, discussion questions, standards, resources, and activities to help bring the film into your classroom. Please note that this is our only film that might be considered "PG-13", so please take that into account when deciding to share with certain age groups. We have, however, shown it at family film events with no complaints or incidents.
Join the Water Teachers Initiative
Because every child needs connection with the wonders of water.
Not yet a member of the Water Teacher Initiative? Please join this growing community of K-12 educators with an Honorary or Discounted Membership. Membership comes with over 40 short and feature films with educator guides, special activities, award-winning photos, and exclusive access.
For more info contact:
Kathy Chambliss, PhD
The Water Teachers Initiative
Americorps VISTA Outreach Educator
March 18th-National Biodiesel Day
Every year, on the birthday of Rudolph Diesel, National Biodiesel Day is celebrated with the intention of raising the profile of biodiesel products. Biodiesel is a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based fuels and can be made from recycled cooking oil, animal fat, or vegetable oil.
It’s a product that’s said to be better for the environment and has the potential of stopping the advancement of global warming. And as biodiesel technology advances, it’s becoming clearer that this product is the fuel of the future.
See below for a Vearthual Field Trip to Sequential Biofuels to learn from Ian Hill.
March 21-International Day of the Forests
This year's theme is Forests and Health: a call for giving, not taking
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/67/200 on 21 December 2012, which declared that 21 March of each year is to be observed as the International Day of Forests.
The resolution encourages all Member States Encourages all Member States to organize activities related to all types of forests and trees outside forests, such as tree planting campaigns, at the time most appropriate to each State.
United Nations International Day of the Forests
Forest Bathing with Midge Murphy
For more info visit: Guided Forest Walks
March 25th- Earth Hour
Earth Hour --- A Lights Off Moment --- Unplug for the Planet
Spend one hour doing something-anything-positive for our planet.
The purpose of this hour on this day is to unite people all across the globe in their effort to save the planet.
This day was created by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) and encourages people to turn off their non-essential electric components as well as their lights. The WWF hopes that if people practice this holiday for that one hour per year, they will think about their energy consumption more and make the effort to use less energy.
Love Food Not Waste SORT Stations
4J/EEP staff stands at the ready to assist the remaining schools with the implementation process. Principals have been notified and hopefully we will have a training schedule for each school soon. Training materials, consultation and support will be provided. The goal is to have every 4J school participating by spring break. With successful up front training, students have been easily able to adapt to the change in waste collection. We have kept hundreds, perhaps nearing thousands, of gallons of food waste out of the land fill so far.
Here are the Secondary Love Food Not Waste Resource. This document includes information, resources and a 4 day unit in Canvas for advisory lessons.
And, elementary friends, if you want to do a refresher with your students here is the Elementary Love Food Not Waste Resource.
And, here is the 3 Year Love Food Not Waste Plan for background information.
Thanks everyone for supporting this huge carbon emissions reduction effort. It takes a village to keep food waste out of the land fill. It is dreamy seeing the Earth flags flying across the district. 🌎🌏🌍
*SORT= Separate Organics, Reusables, Trash
4J/EWEB Education Partnership
TOSA-Climate. Energy. Conservation
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533
