Click HERE.

Click HERE.

NAAEE Announcements

NAAEE Conference News for May

Review Results
The results of the 2013 NAAEE conference review process will be sent to proposal submitters during the first week of June. This notification will include the day and time for accepted sessions for both the Research Symposium and the general conference. Please make sure that your email filters will accept mail from DO_NOT_REPLY@allacademic.com.

Exhibits and Ads—Early Bird Rates until May 15
Save 25% and get optimal placement by purchasing exhibit booths and program advertisements by May 15. Sign up online at www.naaee.net/conference/exhibits-ads

Registration
Registration is expected to open on June 3; check the website!

Scholarships
NAAEE will be offering a limited number of conference scholarships for students, classroom teachers, and professional environmental and community educators. Check the conference home page; information will be posted soon.

Call for Applications Open for EECapacity State Consortia Grants

Applications due June 15, 2013
The EECapacity Project is announcing a Call for Applications for Year 3 of the State Consortia grants. Up to four states can receive funding to develop capacity and networking for EE and related practitioners within their state. Each state consortium will include at least 20 educators representing a diversity of organizations such as community-based groups, churches, zoos, nature centers, schools, government nature preserves, parks, organizations that are using outdoor experiences to help veterans, wounded warriors, and their families heal, and similar organizations that are committed to learning from each other, exchanging perspectives, and participating in a series of workshops and online learning opportunities for a period of one year or longer.

EECapacity State Consortia Year 3 Information Webinar
We will host an information webinar to answer any questions about State Consortia and the call for applications.

Friday, May 24, 2013 2:00–3:30 PM, Eastern Daylight Time

To register for the online event
1. Go to
www.naaee.webex.com/naaee/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=663638224
2. Click "Register."
3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit."

Once the host approves your registration, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event.

For more information, and to download the RFA, visit:

Student Film Project Contest

Deadline: May 30, 2013
Green Living Project is excited to accept student short films for the Spring 2013 Student Film Project! In five minutes or less, student short films should tell a unique and compelling story about a sustainability-related project. Winning films will be screened at GLP Films events throughout the year, and winners also receive gear and prizes up to $1,000 in value. Contest is open to 6th grade through graduate level students.

Living Classrooms Foundation STEM Event: Get Involved!

May 31, 2013
Join Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF) for a day on the water! The Nation’s River Bass Tournament is an outdoor STEM event that will connect local students with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for a day of hands-on activities in sustainability and environmental education. LCF is seeking educational providers to engage small groups of students in 15–20 minute activities throughout the day. To get involved, contact Mackenzie Betrone-Harpst at mbetroneharpst@livingclassroomsdc.org.

2013 NEEEA Conference & Sustainable Schools Summit: CFP

Submission Deadline: May 24, 2013
Conference: November 1-3, 2013 ~ Newport, Rhode Island
Hosted by the Rhode Island EE Association in partnership with the Sustainable Schools Summit, the 2013 NEEEA Conference will leverage the EE community's expertise, expanding the conversation to build meaningful relationships across curriculum subjects, professional disciplines, and outside the classroom.


The conference is organized around three strands: curriculum, environment, and health. These strands are well aligned with the federal Green Ribbon Schools program, which evaluates and celebrates schools with Healthy School Environments, minimal Environmental Impact, and strong Environmental Education.

Seeking Success Stories on Teaching of Climate & Energy Topics

Mark McCaffrey, Programs and Policy Director of the National Center for Science Education and CLEAN and the Climate Literacy Network, is seeking specific examples from educators on the use of materials or strategies to improve climate or energy literacy for new his new book Climate Smart—Energy Wise: A Guide for Teaching and Learning. Submit short summary of teaching strategy and successful outcome directly to: mccaffrey@ncse.com.

Nothing Like Chocolate

Bullfrog Films has just released Nothing Like Chocolate, the story of Mott Green and the solar-powered Grenada Chocolate Company, a farmers' and chocolate-makers' co-op that makes organic chocolate from tree-to-bar. This film will make you think about the food you eat.

Free EE App

"Earth Day Carol" is a green retelling of Dickens' A Christmas Carol with a Plastic Bottle Scrooge being visited by the ghosts Plastic Past, Plastic Present, and Plastic Future. This environmental app explores reduce, reuse, recycle, through animation, pop-up facts, and a narration by actress Janet Varney (the voice of Korra on Nickelodeon's, "The Legend of Korra").

Hands on the Land

America’s national forests, parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands and waterways offer unique teaching and learning opportunities. Hands on the Land (HOL), a national interagency network of field classrooms, connect learners to lands and waterways all across America, making HOL "America’s largest classroom." HOL program providers offer K-12 hands-on, place-based, conservation education experiences that support 21st century environmental literacy and educational goals. The interactive website supports a network of field sites to connect program providers and teachers with multiple agency resources.

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is happy to announce that the Peregrine Webcam is once again streaming live video from the rooftop nestbox at 101 Hudson Street in Jersey City. Technical problems had prevented the live stream from being accessible to the public, but still images have been available for several weeks. The birds have been incubating four eggs since mid-April and hatching is expected around May 13th-14th.

Since 2001, Nestbox News has chronicled the nesting activity, providing detailed information about each year's activity. (See Nestbox News at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/peregrinecam/jcp-2013nestnews.htm for this year's and previous years' accounts). There are links to the live video as well as current still images from that page. To go directly to the live stream go to http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/peregrinecam/jcp-live.htm .

The Peregrine Project relies on public support. Much of that support is from The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, a non-profit organization which works closely with the division's Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Due to the technical issues we experienced this year, and with the advent of new technology, the foundation will be raising funds for a new webcam configuration in addition to its continued support of this and other activities of the division's Endangered and Nongame Species Program. To make a donation, go directly to their Donate Now Web site at http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=22-3130406 .

Coastal Studies for Girls is a semester-long science and leadership school for tenth grade girls. The school brings girls from around the country to the coast of Maine for 16 weeks during either the fall or spring term of their sophomore year of high school, enabling them to immerse themselves in a challenging and rewarding experience while living in a beautiful coastal landscape that serves as a natural laboratory. Students at Coastal Studies for Girls interact directly with scientists and guest lecturers as they pursue a rigorous marine science-based curriculum. For more information, click HERE.

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

School Gardening with Eco Schools

	I hope you are outside enjoying this beautiful spring in the garden! The benefits of gardening for healthy living are widely known, but lesser known are the benefits of school gardens to enhance the learning environment. Environment is a factor used to predict standardized tests scores1. That means, the better the environmental quality, the better the results your school is going to have2. Read more... ...
	2013 NJ School Garden of the Year Contest: What You Should Know
	This past March, we launched the second annual NJ School Garden of the Year contest. It is a huge undertaking to ensure all of your amazing efforts are captured in one survey, a document and several uploaded images. As the marketing and technical advisor for NJ Farm To School, I want to ensure you are represented in the best light. Therefore, I am offering a few suggestions that will make it easier for the judges to best understand the highlights of your garden. Read more... ...
	City Green's Learning Farm: Schultheis Farm Site to Expand
	One only has to look at City Green's website to understand the impact this organization with six full-time and one part-time employees has on its community. From Community, Youth and School Gardening programs, to Horticulture Therapy and Urban Agriculture, City Green has a lot going on. Read more... ...

Upcoming Events, Contests and Programs:

Fundraiser:
Healthy Children, Healthy Planet
Hosted by The Riverside School Gardenn
Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10:00am - 2:00pm ET

Location:
Riverside School
58 Riverside Dr.
Princeton, NJ 08540

This community-wide celebration of school gardens, healthy living and sustainability is now in its third year – last year attracted several hundred visitors who enjoyed gardening and nutrition demonstrations, sports clinics, local food, live music, and crafts in Riverside School’s beautiful school gardens.

For more information: CLICK HERE

Fundraiser:
Annual Fundraiser Garden Party
Hosted by Camden Children's Gardenn
Thursday, June 6, 2013

Location:
Camden Children’s Garden
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ

The Garden Party Fundraiser will be a highlight of the 2013 season.VIP guests, gardeners, and food enthusiasts willenjoy the Camden Children’s Garden in all its seasonal splendor.Guests will explore the Garden’s education, horticultural exhibits under the stars, and browse the Silent Auction while enjoying an enchanted evening. The Champions of Children Awards will honor notable individuals, foundations and corporations who work tirelessly on behalf of children and Camden, NJ. The Awardees are: Honorable Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Congressman Robert E. Andrews, NJ Senator Diane Allen, Camden Councilwoman Dana Burley, Camden Councilwoman DeborahPerson-Polk, 1st Colonial Bank President Gerard M. Banmiller and Whole Foods Market.

For more information: CLICK HERE

Webinar:
School Gardening in the Fall: Strategies for Growing Seed to Table
Co-hosted by edWeb and the National Farm To School Network
Thursday, June 20, 2013 from 4:00pm - 5:00pm ET

Presenter:
Thianda Manzara, Ph.D., Founder and President of Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids in Delaware

To become part of the Growing School Garden Community and register for this and other complimentary webinars, be sure to join us on the web.

For more information: CLICK HERE

If you have an event, activity or program you would like to add to our calendar and newsletter, please email the information, details and contact information to info@njfarmtoschool.org for consideration.

Tuesday April 30:  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Consumer Products

Did You Know?  Paints, varnishes, stains, hairspray, deodorants, shaving gels, cleaners, air fresheners, cooking sprays and glue are examples of common products we use everyday that may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a pollutant that contributes to ground level ozone (or smog) and hazardous air pollutants.

NJ Rules to Reduce Your Exposure:  N.J.A.C. 7:27-24, “Prevention of Air Pollution from Consumer Products”, N.J.A.C. 7:27-23, “Prevention of Air Pollution from Architectural Coatings”, N.J.A.C. 7:27-26, “Prevention of Air Pollution from Adhesives, Sealants, Adhesive Primers, and Sealant Primers.”

Action:  Avoid painting or cleaning on really hot days. Purchase consumer products and paints with little or no VOCs. 

How?  Before you paint, check your local forecast using the Air Quality Index (AQI) at http://www.njaqinow.net/.  If it is an orange or red day, avoid using products containing VOCs.  These are usually hot days when painting would not be comfortable, so it’s a good excuse not to paint or clean!

For all of New Jersey's themes, facts, and suggested actions for the week, go to

http://www.nj.gov/dep/aqaweek/.

Wednesday, May 1:  Ozone (O₃) - Cars

Did You Know?  Idling vehicles cause fuel not to combust completely, causing an increase in harmful emissions.  When you idle your vehicle, you, as well as the people around you, are breathing in a lot of those harmful fuel components.  Vehicles that idle for only 10 minutes per day waste more than 29 gallons of fuel each year.  So reduce your idling time whenever you can: walk short distances instead of taking the car, park and go in to the fast food restaurant or bank instead of using the drive-thru, and don't idle to heat or cool the interior of the vehicle.  

Remember, an idling vehicle gets 0 miles per gallon.

NJ Rules and Programs to Reduce Your Exposure:  N.J.A.C. 7:27-15 “Control and Prohibition of Air Pollution from Gasoline-Fueled Motor Vehicles”.

Action: Improve your air, and everyone else’s, when you are behind the wheel. Do not let your car idle for more than 3 minutes. It is the law! It will save you fuel and money, as well as benefit your health.

How? Consider these FACTS –

Myth: Idling for a long time helps the engine warm up.  FALSE

Fact: Cars need less than 30 seconds of idle time, even during cold weather, before it is ready to go. 

Myth: Idling for a few minutes is more fuel efficient, better for the engine, and saves the starter, instead of turning the engine on and off.  FALSE

Fact: Only 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning the engine on and off.  Excessive idling causes the car to run inefficiently, leading to an increase in vehicle maintenance and a decrease in engine life.

Myth: Idling your car for a while is the best way to warm up/cool down the interior.  FALSE

Fact: The best way to heat or cool the inside of your car is to operate it at its peak performance parameter, which is while driving, and not while idling.  It can take more than twice as long to change the temperature by idling instead of driving.

Visit www.stopthesoot.org for more information

For all of New Jersey's themes, facts, and suggested actions for the week, go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/aqaweek/.

Thursday, May 2:  Fine Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) – Diesel Engines

Did You Know?  Diesel emissions contain more than 40 known and probable carcinogens, including fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), commonly called soot.  Every year, hundreds of New Jerseyans die prematurely or suffer asthma attacks or other debilitating respiratory illnesses from harmful diesel soot.  Pursuant to a New Jersey law, thousands of school buses, garbage trucks, and transit buses have been retrofit with diesel emission control devices to reduce their emissions   In addition, construction equipment used on various projects throughout the state are being retrofit with particle control devices to minimize health impacts from the projects.

NJ Rules and Program(s) to Reduce Your Exposure:  N.J.A.C. 7:27-32 “Diesel Retrofit Program”,  N.J.A.C. 7:27-14 “Control and Prohibition of Air Pollution from Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicles (Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program),”  N.J.S.A. 26:2C-8 “Mandatory Program Statute.”

Action:  Spread the word about diesel emissions reduction.  Do not idle diesel vehicles for more than 3 minutes.

How?  Encourage your township to implement diesel reduction measures, such as increased idling enforcement and purchase of new, cleaner diesel vehicles and equipment.  Also ask your township to consider requiring that equipment used in local construction contracts be retrofitted or the newest model year.   A limited amount of funding is available for construction retrofits by calling (609) 292-7953.    Visit http://www.stopthesoot.org/ for more information.

For all of New Jersey's themes, facts, and suggested actions for the week, go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/aqaweek/

Friday, May 3:  Air Toxics – Dry Cleaners and Consumer Products

Did You Know?  Perchloroethylene, also known as perc, is a cancer-causing chemical used in dry cleaning, automotive repair products such as brake cleaners, carburetor or fuel-injection cleaners and engine degreasers, and in other consumer products such as footwear and leather care products and adhesive removers.

NJ Rules and Program(s) to Reduce Your Exposure:  N.J.A.C. 7:27-17, “Control and Prohibition of Air Pollution by Toxic Substances”, N.J.A.C 7:27-24, “Prevention of Air Pollution from Consumer Products” including automotive cleaning products, and footwear and leather care products, Dry Cleaner Reimbursement Program, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Guidance, Other Initiatives.

Action: Buy clothing that does not require dry cleaning. For dry cleaning, patronize “Green Dry Cleaning Facilities” that utilize other solvents or professional wet cleaning technique.  Look at the label and make sure the consumer products you purchase are Perchloroethylene free.

How?  Visit New Jersey's Air Toxics webpage for What You Can Do!

For all of New Jersey's themes, facts, and suggested actions for the week, go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/aqaweek/

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

Audubon Teacher's School of Ecology:
Targeting teachers in grades 4 to 8 who teach in the Passaic River Watershed the program offers teachers in-depth experiences that use inquiry as a basis for building effective field studies. By connecting the classroom to the real world, teachers can help students become more aware of the world around them, take an active role in preserving their local environments and acquire the critical thinking, problem solving and basic life skills necessary to become informed global citizens.
Click here.

Sterling Hill Mining Museum - new lessons available that tie in cross-discipline concepts from grades K-12
http://sterlinghillminingmuseum.org/education/lessonplans.php

Smithsonian Museum freebies
The Smithsonian Institute-Cooper Hewitt Museum is currently in a position to donate objects used in the show "Designing for the other 90%" http://www.cooperhewitt.org/tags/design-other-90.
Of the world s total population of 6.5 billion, 90%, have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted; in fact, nearly half do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter. Design for the Other 90% explored more than thirty projects which reflect the growing movement among designers, engineers, students and professors, architects, and social entrepreneurs to design low-cost solutions for this other 90%. This show highlighted a wide variety of design innovations that addressed the basic challenges of survival and progress faced by the world s poor and marginalized.
Objects to be donated range from simple irrigation systems to Kenyan cook stoves to simple laptop tablets (not Windows or Mac) for elementary aged students. These objects could be used in very creative ways and are available to teachers in any discipline. Shipping or pick up of objects is limited to the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maryland areas only. For pictures and more detailed descriptions of items available contact- Kim Hawkins, Assistant Registrar Coordinator at HawkinsK@si.edu., 1-212-849-8434.

Geology & Geography
Dinosaur Die Out Might Have Been Second of Two Closely Timed Extinctions
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120905154314.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ffossils_ruins+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Fossils+%26+Ruins+News%29
"The most-studied mass extinction in Earth history happened 65 million years ago and is widely thought to have wiped out the dinosaurs. New University of Washington research indicates that a separate extinction came shortly before that, triggered by volcanic eruptions that warmed the planet and killed life on the ocean floor."

Geography in the News: Storm Surge Threats
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/08/geography-in-the-news-storm-surge-threats/
"Superstorm Sandy sent a storm surge of 13 feet (4 m) onto New Jersey's and New York's fragile shorelines, creating chaos and widespread misery for coastal inhabitants. Examining experiences with hurricanes Katrina and more recently Irene, storm surges clearly create more damage than wind and rain during these tropical and middle latitude cyclones."

Interactive Topographic Maps Illustrating Physiographic Features
http://nationalatlas.gov/100topos/index.html
"Roam your cursor across maps and images to learn about selected features of the American landscape and see how they're represented on topographic maps. "

Geography and Geology Animations
http://whs.moodledo.co.uk/course/view.php?id=1365
Find an extensive list of "Animations, video clips and interactive images in geography [and geology] that can help you to understand the complex natural processes that take place at or close to the surface of the earth. The animated diagrams and maps speed up time, giving you the opportunity to see and understand the long term changes that take place at or near the surface of the Earth. Many of the animations are also interactive."

Using Topographic Maps to Study Landforms in ArcGIS Online
http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=8c1408acf6d1413bbd99aa3ff149b9e2
Using topographic maps to study landforms has been a key part of Geography and Earth Science instruction for over a century. It has never been easier to do, thanks to the seamless USGS topographic maps for the USA and the base topographic map for the world available in ArcGIS Online. Joseph has created a set of 12 questions and a map containing 20 landforms as a starting point for these investigations. To access these maps follow these steps:
1) Click the "Open" button, choose Arc.GIS.com map viewer .
2) Click on "Bookmark" on the right hand part of the menu to view the choice of landforms to analyze.

Atlantic Canadian mega-Volcanoes Blamed in Mass Extinction
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2013/03/22/science-end-triassic-mass-extinction-volcanoes.html
A new study shows that eruptions in Morocco likely kicked off the end-Triassic mass extinction, while eruptions in the northeast of North America continued to add to these mass extinctions about 3,000 to 13,0000 years later. The end-Triassic mass extinction set the stage for dinosaur domination. This article is summary of an article from March 21, 2013 Science,

Geography in the News: Iconic Route 66, An Adventure
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/21/geography-in-the-news-iconic-route-66-an-adventure/
On Nov. 11, 1926, U.S. Highway 66 became one of the original federal highways. Running from Chicago to Los Angeles, this highway became an icon for generations of western migrants and vacationers. Motoring along the route in the 1950s left millions with indelible memories of incredible physical and cultural sites.

Unusual Indian Ocean Earthquakes Hint at Tectonic Breakup
http://www.nature.com/news/unusual-indian-ocean-earthquakes-hint-at-tectonic-breakup-1.11487
"A pair of massive earthquakes that rocked the Indian Ocean on 11 April 2012 may signal the latest step in the formation of a new plate boundary within Earth's surface."

Snack Tectonics
http://www.windows2universe.org/teacher_resources/teach_snacktectonics.html
"This website gives a lesson plan for making a food model that illustrates plate tectonics."

Maps of the Week
The 20 "Biggest" Cities in the United States Might not be What you Think.
http://uxblog.idvsolutions.com/2012/02/whats-biggest-city-in-usa.html
You may be surprised by what you see! When we talk about cities being "big" or "small" it turns out we are usually thinking in terms of how many people live there. This is a pretty unique collective assumption, and you might find that this list of "big" cities challenges your notion of scale when it comes to how we think about populated places.

Animated History Map of the U.S.
www.animatedatlas.com/movie
An excellent clip for ALL people, young and old, to view. The site is fascinating to watch the growth from the 13 colonies up to the present day.

Water
Inside Climate Change and Our World's Beaches
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/reading-beaches-dr-orrin-pilkey/
"The World's Beaches (2011), written with three fellow scientists from around the world, is a comprehensive but relatable guide to the science of the shoreline, teaching readers precisely how beaches work and how to read the "character" of any given shoreline."

Point Nemo Is The Location In The Ocean That Is Farthest From Land
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/nemo.html
"Want to get away from it all? You can't do better than a point in the Pacific Ocean popularly known as 'Point Nemo,' named after the famous submarine sailor from Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."

The Water Cycle: Learn About It and See It in Action
http://thewaterproject.org/resources/the_water_cycle.asp
"In this site, you'll find some helpful information and links to experiments and resources about the water cycle for use in the classroom or at home. We hope these resources help you introduce the importance of clean, safe water to your students."

Water Cycle: Hands-On Experiments
http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1440?locale=en
"These sites have hands-on experiments and projects about the water cycle and water purification. Learn how to make it rain in your kitchen and how to build your own water cycle environment. There are many other activity ideas, including a script for a play. There is a link to an eThemes Resource on water cycle explanations and illustrations."

Perpetual Ocean: Visualization Shows Ocean Surface Currents
http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a000000/a003800/a003827/
"This visualization shows ocean surface currents around the world during the period from June 2005 through December 2007. The visualization does not include a narration or annotations; the goal was to use ocean flow data to create a simple, visceral experience." Compare this map with hint.fm/wind/ the coolest wind map on the web.

Weather
Derecho Moving Southeastward from the Midwest to the East Coast
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/archives/date/2012/06/29
"This site has pictures of how the Derecho was moving across the United States at the time."

Surface Meteograms
http://weather.unisys.com/surface/meteogram/index.php
"A meteogram is a time cross-section of data for a specific surface reporting station. The data plotted include temperatures, winds, pressure, clouds and present weather. These data are updated hourly at around 50 minutes past the hour."

Using NASA Data for Weather Lesson Plans,
http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/students/
"MY NASA DATA is an online avenue whereby educators can bring NASA data into their classroom and provide students with real-world science experiences. The website offers a growing collection of over 120 standard based lesson plans to help teachers get started with data exploration."

An Abbreviated Guide for Teaching Climate Change from AAAS
http://www.project2061.org/publications/guides/climate.pdf
"Drawing on several Project 2061 resources, the guide focuses on the ideas and skills that are central to understanding the science of climate change, the process of scientific inquiry, and the trade-offs and constraints implicit in making choices about technology.

iMapTV - A GIS Interface for Weather
http://imap.tv/
If you've downloaded apps in the past to help you track weather alerts, traffic reports and police advisories, you and your students will love this site. iMapTv lets you access real-time weather maps from across the globe. You can check virtually any area's radar, cloud coverage, current temperatures, ski resort status, weather advisories and storm warnings.

Weather Prediction for Novices
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/weathernot/weathernot.html
"Monitor the weather environment and make predictions about the weather up to 48 hours before special outdoor events."

Space
Comet PANSTARRS at sunset
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
"Have you seen the comet? As Comet PANSTARRS fades, careful observers -- even with unaided eyes -- should still be able to find the shedding ice ball on the western horizon just after sunset."

Time Lapse: Space Shuttle Endeavour Squeezes Through L.A. Streets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdqZyACCYZc
"The space shuttle Endeavour made its last journey, traveling 12-miles on city streets from Los Angeles International Airport, through Inglewood, to the California Science Center in Exposition Park."

Interactive Resources for Teaching Astronomy
http://astro.unl.edu/classaction/
"The ClassAction Project is developing interactive materials to be used in the introductory astronomy classroom at either the college or advanced high school level. The materials are centered around questions that are projected in the classroom. Students then respond to the questions through voting, oral report, or other means either individually or in groups. A large number of resources are provided to help the instructor provide feedback to the questions. "

Why is the Sky Dark at Night?
http://www.flixxy.com/why-is-the-sky-dark-at-night.htm#.UI1t_Y5hrIp
"Why does it get dark at night? The answer in this video might be more complicated than you think."

Zoomable Galaxy Size Comparison Chart
http://www.universetoday.com/101185/how-big-are-galaxies/
The site allows you to click on image to enlarge and compare different types of galaxies. This site is out of this world!

New Discovery: An Alien Solar System With Two Earth-Sized Worlds in Habitable Zone
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy.html
"Scanning the heavens, you might very well miss the star Kepler-62. It's a rather typical star, slightly smaller, cooler, and more orange than the Sun, much like tens of billions of other stars in our galaxy. But it holds a surprise: It's orbited by at least five planets… and two of them are Earth-sized and orbit the star in its habitable zone!"

Environmental
Ecological Footprint Calculator
http://myfootprint.org/
"This website allows the calculation of one's carbon footprint."

The Truth About Ocean Decline
http://www.shiftingbaselines.org/videos/home_surfrider.htm
A view of ocean/beach decline in Southern California from the view of surfers.

International Student Carbon Footprint Challenge
http://footprint.stanford.edu/index.html
"The challenge involves understanding the causes of climate change and then envisioning and embodying effective solutions so we, as a planet, can avoid the worst potential consequences…. Find out how your classroom can take part in this project, specifically designed to help students measure their personal CARBON FOOTPRINT and discuss climate change concerns with students around the world.

General
Guidelines for Designing an Experiment
http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/images/sec6.designexperiment.pdf
Find a short summary of some topics that frequently surface when designing experiments.

Science Daily for Summaries of the Latest Science News
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
One of the best free sources to keep up with the latest

Make Your Own Sculpture Dough
http://portal.acs.org/portal/PublicWebSite/education/whatischemistry/scienceforkids/arttoys/art/CSTA_015127
"This is a recipe for one type of material that can be molded easily that is similar to the clay artists use for their work.

Implementing Experimental Design Vocabulary While Practicing Critical Thinking Skills
http://kenanfellows.org/kfp-cp-sites/cp08/cp08/part-1-introduction-experimental-design/index.html
"Students will learn and implement experimental design vocabulary while practicing their critical thinking skills in an inquiry based experiment. This lesson is written using the 5E Learning Model."

Particle Fever
http://www.particlefever.com/PF/lhc_main.html
"Our professional filmmaking team has been shooting behind the scenes at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for the past five years, here is the story."

Interactive Periodic Table
http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/periodic-chart.htm
"This website contains an interactive periodic table. Each chemical element contains a link to a page that explains its chemical properties, health effects, environmental effects, application data, an image and also information of the history/inventor of each element."

A Toxic Tragedy in Bhopal
http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/17/a-toxic-tragedy-in-bhopal/?hpt=hp_c3
"Collection of photos of the fallout from the chemical leak at the Union Carbide pesticide plant three decades ago."

Class Workbooks for Natural Hazards and Earth Science
http://jhodge.wiki.hoover.k12.al.us/Class+Workbooks
"Class workbooks for catastrophic events and earth in space."

Assessment Questions for Science
http://www.problem-attic.com/
"Get instant access to 30 years' of well-respected, proven questions for Math, Science, Social Studies and English.70,000 of the best questions from NY Regents, State Assessments, Academic Competitions, and more."

Teaching
Changing Education Paradigms Talk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
"This animate was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award."

The 5 E's, an Instructional Model Based on the Constructivist Approach
http://enhancinged.wgbh.org/research/eeeee.html
"The 5 E's is an instructional model based on the constructivist approach to learning, which says that learners build or construct new ideas on top of their old ideas. The 5 E's can be used with students of all ages, including adults."

Texting Students Exchanging Phone Numbers
https://www.remind101.com/
"A safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents for free. Teachers never see students' phone numbers. Students never see theirs."

Science Fact or Science Fiction - Which Statement is Incorrect?
Research suggests:
A. Red, orange, green and white cups were used to serve hot chocolate. Orange cups were voted more "chocolaty" even though the same hot chocolate was served in each cup.
B. 1/3 of stars in the Milky Way consist of cooler red dwarf class stars (end dwarf).
C. Puckered digits that occur after taking a long bath are better at holding slippery marbles than non-wrinkled fingers.
D. Poop transplants (Repoopulation) can be used to treat people with chronic diarrhea.
Source: Scientific American's "60 Second Science" podcast

B: It's actually at least 2/3 of stars in our galaxy.

Humor
Your Body is a Map Maker
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2012/09/your-body-wondermap/3146/
"Envy the Michigan Hand Map. Michiganders have been blessed with a state shaped almost exactly like a hand - well, at least, most of the state"

Computer Tip
Making Charts (Graphs) in Excel 2007 & Excel 2010
http://www.free-training-tutorial.com/charts-graphs.html
"Here are 6 tutorial videos dealing with different aspects of Excel charts: How to make them, setting and locating relevant titles, relocating the legend (or hiding it), what are data labels and how to add them, how to rescale the Y-axis, and eventually giving them some style and touch with colors, fonts and backgrounds."

Create an Avatar for your Classroom
http://voki.com/
"Make quick fun avatars to put on your BB site or Smartboard. A different way to give information. Assign kids to create one to share an idea."

Class Management Tool via Smartphone
http://www.classdojo.com/
"Use this for class management - instantly reward or track good behavior/bad behavior. Can run it on smart board so kids can see, and they can log in to track their "points" and you can get reports or send them to parents. Very easy to customize. You can walk around with it on your Smartphone (icon is found on website) or iPad (app store) during group work to help gather qualitative assessment data."

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

Click HERE.

2013 NATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
For those who wish to pay with a credit card please add 2.5% to the bill.      MONTAUK SPRING WEEKEND JUNE 7-9, 2013           Always a trip worth taking. Start with an orientation and slide show on Friday night. This is peak orchid and heather blossom time. Activities include: hiking, birding, tide pools, butterflies, rocky cliffs, a visit to Montauk Light and an optional whale watch.    The Montauk Manor is a perfect place to stay after a long, cold winter with its well-appointed rooms, restaurant, hot tub, and pool. You will enjoy vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and be able to take walks around the grounds. Leaders:Don Riepe and Mickey Cohen Cost: $385 includes 5 meals, 2 evening programs, a star watch and 2 nights at Montauk Manor. Send deposit of $100 per person to Don Riepe, ALS, 28 W. 9th Rd, Broad Channel, NY 11693 by April 30, 2013. RHODE ISLAND/BLOCK ISLAND STRIPED BASS TAGGING WEEKEND JUNE 8 - 9, 2013    Join our tagging director for a weekend of striped bass tagging; fishing the rocky coast of Rhode Island and the rips of Block Island. We will be fishing with the American Littoral Society's most prolific and successful tagger, Captain Al Anderson of Narragansett, Rhode Island, aboard his boat, "The Prowler", Sailing from the port of Galilee, RI, right next to the ferry to Block Island. The Prowler is a 42 ft. North Carolina Custom Express twin diesel sportfisherman with a cabin, tower and full electronics.    Captain Al, who has recently been inducted into the IGFA Hall of Fame; has been stalking and tagging stripers in Rhode Island Waters for over 40 years and has tagged and released well over 50,000 gamefish during that time.    The trip is limited to 6 anglers for the weekend, with an all-day fishing trip both Saturday and Sunday. All bait, tackle, and tags will be provided. Bring your surf fishing gear along, as there will be opportunities to experience some of Rhode Island's great shoreline fishing as well.    On Saturday the party will meet for a late lunch (Dutch treat) at a local seafood restaurant. After lunch we will visit the Point Judith light house, and take a stroll out to Black Rock on Narragansett Bay. Cost: $275 - ALS Member $325 - Non Member Price includes all costs for 2 fishing trips and tags, as well as a signed copy of Capt. Al's latest book, "Island Stripers". Anglers are responsible for their own lodging and meals. Call Jeff at (732) 291-0055 for more information. New trip COLUMBIS RIVER GORGE, MT. ST. HELENS, and the PACIFIC END of the LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL JULY 18-27, 2013.      A fascinating gorge described as a "Top ten scenic wonder" plus Mt. St. Helens and Lewis and Clark history, what could be better? We will have a leisurely exploration of some dramatic and varied scenery from the amazing river that separates Washington State from Oregon (and spends a significant part of its length in Canada) to the explosive remnants of St. Helens to the windswept coast. Along the way we will learn about and enjoy the fascinating human and natural history. This is a rather different part of the northwest from the rainy Olympic coastline farther north and you will be surprised by the dryness of the interior versus the rugged marine environment. Mammals, birds, and wild flowers will brighten each day. Leader:  Bob Quinn Cost: $1985 per person (double occupancy- $385 single supplement) includes lodging, most meals, ground transportation, guides, and all entrance fees. Not included- airfare.. Please send a deposit of $250 per person to Highlands address by April 15, 2013.   This trip begins and ends in Portland, OR. CAPE ANN WHALE WATCH WEEKEND AUGUST 15-18, 2013      Gloucester and the surrounding areas are filled with beautiful shorelines and bays teeming with bird life. On your way up stop off at The Butterfly Place just off Rt. 495 (exit 34). There will be leisurely canoeing on the Ipswich River, a half-day whale watch trip where we hope to also see dolphins and seals, a sunset river cruise along the Essex River, and birding at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. Leader: Don Riepe Cost: $385 per person ($120 single supplement) includes lodging, lobster dinner, guides, park and boat fees. Limit: 20. A deposit of $50 by June 15, 2013. MONHEGAN ISLAND, MAINE SEPTEMBER 23-27, 2013      For the naturalist Monhegan is a major site for fall migration, often with hordes of tired land birds hopping about in the open. Such odd spectacles as warblers flitting through the tide wrack or a Black-billed Cuckoo perching on a lobster pot can be common sights.     On one day we will venture out by boat in search of sea birds such as puffins, shearwaters, gannets, phalaropes, and maybe a whale or two. Monhegan is a gem of the rocky coast of Maine and one of the most enchanting islands on the entire east coast. Its combination of beauty and quiet island life will entrance you and it can be as relaxing or as invigorating as you wish. It creates a sense of serenity, from the calm harbor with beautiful sunsets to the pounding surf against the craggy eastern cliffs, through the beautiful Cathedral Woods with its elfin inhabitants.      Our inn is quite nice and has a commanding view of the harbor and the ocean. We will do a lot of walking and exploring of the island's varied habitats; some moderately vigorous hiking and early morning bird walks will be optional. There is something special about Monhegan, even by island standards, and this short trip is a perfect chance for you to experience that magic. Leaders: Bob Quinn and Phil Brown Cost: $1195 (Single supplement $295) includes lodging, ferry, boat trip, guides, and most meals. Group Size: Max 14. . Send a deposit of $150 per person to Highlands address by May 15, 2013. CALIFORNIA'S NORTH COAST: Redwood National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and the Klamath Basin OCTOBER 13-22, 2013      The Redwoods, tallest trees in the world, tower above the mist-shrouded shoreline. Huge Pacific waves crash upon massive sea stacks and coastal headlands while countless flocks of sea birds migrate south. This is the dramatic and isolated northern California coast. Del Norte county is more like the true Pacific Northwest than the rest of California and it has abundant wildlife and scenery, without the crowds. Besides the magnificent Redwoods we hope to see mammals such as California Sea Lions and Roosevelt Elk plus one of the largest concentrations of water birds in all of North America.      We'll also spend several days in southern Oregon, including a day at the spectacular Crater Lake National Park- with it's almost unbelievably blue volcanic lake. Other sites will include Lava Beds National Monument and the Klamath Basin National Wildlife refuges, all in habitats vastly different from the coast. This is a wonderful time of year to explore an exciting and unique, yet little visited, part of our continent. Leader: Bob Quinn Cost: $2185 per person (double occupancy- $385 single supplement) includes lodging, most meals, ground transportation, guides, and all entrance fees. Not included- airfare. Send a deposit of $300 per person to Highlands address by June 15, 2013. ANNUAL MEETING - CAPE MAY, NJ OCTOBER 24-27, 2013    Once all details have been finalized this site will contain all the information needed to sign up. We will also be sending out the a form tat can be sent in to our Highlands office in our publication "Littorally Speaking" later in the year. There will be no separate form sent so please check our website for details around the middle of April. There will be limited rooms available. If interested please contact Pat by phone or email. ASSATEAGUE FALL WEEKEND NOVEMBER 7-10, 2013 The Assateague Wildlife Refuge is always in season to enjoy!      The peak fall migration is beginning at one of the best birding spots on the east coast. We're likely to see snow geese, widgeons, teals, ruddy ducks, eagles, Sika deer, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, wild ponies and if we're lucky, maybe red fox and otters. On Sunday follow us north to Bombay Hook, where at sunset, we'll stop to watch and listen as up to 20,000 snow geese come in to roost. Leader: Don Riepe Cost: $385 per person (180 single supplement) includes lodging, guides, lectures, and a par excellent seafood buffet on Saturday night. Limit: 20. Send a deposit of $100 per person by August 1.

Geology and Geography

Click HERE.

North American Events, Training, Announcements

The Hurricanes Webinar Series

Presentations and Publishing Opportunities

Conservation Television Series Seeks Great EE Content!

Apply Now! Sc3: Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3)

Call for Teacher-Collaborators for Research Project

EPA Eco Student Blog

Energy All Stars Video Presentation

Exploring Global Issues

Field Test Opportunity for Science Teachers

The Water Cycle for Kids

Understanding Global Change Survey

Do you have questions about planting spring bulbs? Maybe an unfamiliar bug has invaded your house. No matter what season, if you have questions on backyard environmental issues, Middlesex County's Extension office will assist you with their FREE Master Gardener Helpline.

Residents of Middlesex County are encouraged to call 732-398-5220 with questions on plants, bugs and home conservation practices. Rutgers University trained Master Gardeners are available from 9 am until 12 noon, Mondays through Fridays during the growing season. You can also e-mail your questions and concerns to mastergardeners@co.middlesex.nj.us.

Please also check out the Master Gardener website at www.mgmcnj.org and follow us on facebook at facebook.com/MGMCNJ.

Trained by Rutgers University experts, Master Gardeners are equipped with the experience and reference materials needed, to provide research based answers to inquiries about horticulture and wildlife related problems. Proper ID of insects and disease is the first step to avoiding reliance on pesticides and herbicides.

Residents of other counties can consult their Master Gardeners by looking up Rutgers Cooperative Extension in their phone book's Blue Pages or consulting the webpage http://njaes.rutgers.edu/mastergardeners/helplines.asp

You can also leave a message anytime and the MGs will return your call as soon as possible. Middlesex Master Gardeners are part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County and have a headquarters at the EARTH Center in Davidson's Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Avenue, South Brunswick.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Click HERE.

Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve-Rutgers University (JC NERR) and Rutgers Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis have announced a great resource for flood mapping and planning. Contact Lisa Auermuller auermull@marine.rutgers.edu for more information about this new tool.

www.NJFloodMapper.org Now LIVE!

Through a partnership with the JC NERR and Rutgers Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis, an interactive flood mapping website is NOW available. The new Google Maps-based website allows users to view sea level rise scenarios from 0 to 6 feet, while overlaying GIS layers such as critical municipal facilities, evacuation routes, and floodplain layers.

Flood maps (Advisory and regulatory) from FEMA and the NJ DEP can also be viewed as additional data sets, along with inundation extent from Super Storm Sandy.

Who Will Benefit:
* Municipal Officials
* Emergency Managers
* Planners
* Resource Managers
* Floodplain Administrators

What the Map Shows:
* Modeled Flooding due to Sea Level Rise
* Evacuation Routes
* Locations of Critical Facilities
* Modeled Marsh Migration

The funding for the development of the website was made possible by NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technologies (CICEET).

Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve-Rutgers University

130 Great Bay Blvd
Tuckerton, New Jersey 08087
609-812-0649
Contact: Lisa Auermuller 609

Click HERE.

NAAEE Announcements

2013 Call for Presentations

New Opportunity Re: Climate Change Education

EPA Soliciting Public Comment on Title VI Draft Policy Documents

National EE Week 2013

• Free educator webinars and toolkits offering tips, tricks, resources, and ideas for using the latest technology to excite students about environmental learning in their community


• Case studies, success stories, and examples of technology in action and the teachers who are using it to enhance environmental learning and achievement in core subject areas


• Discounts, giveaways, and special offers from NEEF partners

"Crash Course on Climate Change"

11. A Roundup of Species in 2012

ARKive School Museum

Explore Future Energy Use With New Online Tool

Green STEM Initiatives Spark Innovative Learning

New Teacher Forum on Endangered Species Day Site

Think Garden Video Series

Click HERE.

Geology and Geography
A 3.8 Billion-Pixel Tour Of Mount Everest: http://www.npr.org/2012/12/20/167621313/a-billion-pixel-tour-of-mount-everest
Description "Photographer David Breashears of Glacier Works was on All Things Considered Monday to talk about a new way of photographing the Himalayan region: By stitching together 400-plus images into one giant, zoomable, interactive image - or a "gigapan" containing more than a billion pixels."

Intraplate Quakes Signal Tectonic Breakup: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/345387/description/Intraplate_quakes_signal_tectonic_breakup
Description "Two giant earthquakes in the eastern Indian Ocean have shown geologists that breaking up is easy to do - for tectonic plates, that is."

Geography in the News - Lake Effect Snow: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/23/geography-in-the-news-lake-effect-snow-2/
Description "Lake-effect snow has arrived around the Great Lakes as winter has finally come to the Midwest."

Water
International Study Provides More Solid Measure of Shrinking In Polar Ice Sheets: http://www.washington.edu/news/2012/11/29/international-study-provides-more-solid-measure-of-shrinking-in-polar-ice-sheets/
Description "The planet's two largest ice sheets have been losing ice faster during the past decade, causing widespread confusion and concern. A new international study provides a firmer read on the state of continental ice sheets and how much they are contributing to sea-level rise."

Ocean Portal - Resources from Smithsonian Institute: http://ocean.si.edu/
Description "Welcome to the Ocean Portal. We focus on everything ocean - unusual and everyday organisms, ocean-inspired art, researchers devoting their lives to exploring the still mostly mysterious ecosystem. We here at the Ocean Portal learn something new every day and we want to share it with you!"

Weather
Hurricane Sandy Vs. Hurricane Katrina Statistics: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/hurricane-sandy-vs-hurricane-katrina/
Description "Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo made headlines and raised eyebrows Monday when he said that while Hurricane Katrina was deadlier than Hurricane Sandy, the latter storm was "more impactful" over all and "affected many, many more people and places than Katrina.""

Short Films on Climate Change fromNational Academies: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL38EB9C0BC54A9EE2
Description "Climate Change Lines of Evidence.-Seven Short videos with these titles: What is climate, Is the earth warming, Greenhouse gases, Increased emissions, How much warming, Solar influence and natural cycles."

Space
'Black Marble' Views of Earth and of Light Pollution: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/event.php?id=79869
Description "Twinkling city lights, raging wildfires and colorful auroras are lit up in new dazzling nighttime views of the Earth. The new images released Dec. 5 are courtesy of a newly launched NASA-NOAA satellite that's equipped with a sensor to observe the planet at night."

What's on the Gold Plaques on the Voyager Mission?: http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/goldenrec.html
Description "Pioneers 10 and 11, which preceded Voyager, both carried small metal plaques identifying their time and place of origin for the benefit of any other spacefarers that might find them in the distant future. With this example before them, NASA placed a more ambitious message aboard Voyager 1 and 2-a kind of time capsule, intended to communicate a story of our world to extraterrestrials. The Voyager message is carried by a phonograph record-a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth."

Baumgartner's Freefall from 128k Feet - Full Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f-K-XnHi9I
Description "After flying to an altitude of 39,045 meters (128,100 feet) in a helium-filled balloon, Felix Baumgartner completed a record breaking jump for the ages from the edge of space, exactly 65 years after Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier flying in an experimental rocket-powered airplane."

Where To Look For Extraterrestrial Life?: http://journeythroughtheuniverse.org/downloads/Content/Voyage_G58_L6.pdf
Description "This lesson is one of many grade K-12 lessons developed to bring the Voyage experience to classrooms across the nation through the Center's Journey through the Universe program. Journey through the Universe takes entire communities to the space frontier."

General
National Inquirer - Middle School Science Education Journal: http://www.naturalinquirer.org/
Description The Natural Inquirer is a middle school science education journal! Scientists report their research in journals, which enable scientists to share information with one another. This journal, The Natural Inquirer, was created so that scientists can share their research with middle school students. Each article tells you about scientific research conducted by scientists in the USDA Forest Service.

Short Films on Evolution from Howard Hughes Medical Institute: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/shortfilms/
Description This series of short films has been crafted to engage students with memorable examples of the evolutionary process in action. Each film takes students on an adventure-from the postglacial lakes in southern Alaska to the deserts of the American Southwest, and from the icy Antarctic to the highlands of East Africa, where fascinating creatures and pioneering scientists reveal how the fittest are made. Produced by award-winning filmmakers, each film illustrates the role of mutation and natural selection in adaptation."

Science News for Kids On-Line News Stories: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/about/
Description "Science News for Kids (SNK) is an award-winning online publication dedicated to children 9-14, their parents, and their teachers."

Beauty and the Beak - Eagle Gets a Second Chance: http://vimeo.com/15184546
Description "Beauty the Bald Eagle gets a second chance with a little help from technology. Shot and edited by Trooper Media's Keith Bubach for Evening Magazine (KING-TV). 2008 Emmy winner."

Teaching
Science Movie and Hollywood Science Film Worksheet Database: http://moviesheets.com/site/science-movie-sheets.php
Description "Showing science videos and the occasional Hollywood film in the classroom is an innovative way to demonstrate science concepts and expose common misconceptions while providing a thought provoking change of pace for students. Below is a catalog of science movie worksheets and video guides. Site has many video worksheets and movie guides that go along with popular science movies on DVD/VHS. The collection was generously contributed by other teachers."

Click HERE.