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February is Marching along and we are more than half way through the school year! We are looking forward to seeing over 150 MD Green School applications this year! But before we get to details about that, I wanted to say thank you to all who attended the 32nd Annual MAEOE Conference in Towson at the beginning of the month! We had over 600 in attendance over the three days of workshops, sessions, networking and art and science integration events. If you couldn't get there, you can see videos and pictures on the MAEOE Facebook and Twitter sites. And if you did not get to the HHMI spectacular Happy Hour, check out the short film and supporting materials on Some animals are more equal than others.
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MD Green School Applications - The deadline is almost here!
Applications for the 2016/2017 Maryland Green School Applications are due March 17th. Below are some tips on how to submit your application. You will receive an confirmation email within 8 days of your submission. Because of the number of applications we receive on the due date, you are not guaranteed a confirmation until then. If you do not receive this confirmation, please send an email to greenschools@maeoe.org.
When submitting you application, please do not forget the cover sheet. The cover sheet must be filled out and submitted with your application. Please be sure to read and check the correct responses to the clauses above the principals signature. The Green Schools cover sheet can be found here. Lastly, do not forget to input your metrics into the survey. The metrics survey can be found here. On the metrics survey, do not forget to include your top five achievements. The top five achievements should be brief and will be read at the 2017 Youth Summit.
Is your application ready to be submitted? There are few options:
For web-designed applications (includes Google Docs, Weebly, Prezi, etc.): Please send your web link and cover sheet to applications@maeoe.org. The cover sheet should be a separate attachment from your application so that it may be printed out.
For applications on a disk/usb drive: Please drop off your media drive to one of our many drop off locations. To see the different locations, please click here.
All applications can also be mailed to the MAEOE office at 10015 Old Columbia Road, Columbia, MD 21046.
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Green School Application Review Training |
During this training we will review Green School Applications from previous years to gain an understanding of the review process. There will be two webinars and one in person. Webinar details will be emailed to participants prior to the start of the webinar.
3/6: Webinar, 3:30-4:30
3/8: MAEOE Office, 10015 Old Columbia Road, Columbia MD 21046, 4:30-6:30
3/14: Webinar, 2:30-3:30
Click here to sign up for review training! |
Green School Application Reviewing
Each application that we receive is reviewed three times and we need your help. Please consider volunteering to do this. If you have never reviewed applications, there will be a brief training on site the day of your review.
- Please be sure to bring lunch and, if possible, a laptop.
- All applications are electronic
- The review session are usually from 9AM - 3PM. You are not obligated to stay for an entire 6 hour session. Simply sign up for a specific date and stay as long as you are able.
- There will be snacks and coffee.
3/23: Thomas Claggett Teacher Leadership Center, 2001 Addison Rd S., District Heights, MD 20747
3/24: Chesapeake Community College, Higher Education Center, RM TBA: 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, MD 21679
3/27: Black Hill Nature Center: 20926 Lake Ridge Dr, Boyds, MD 20841
3/28: Arlington Echo: 975 Indian Landing Rd, Millersville, MD 21108
3/29: MAEOE’s Office: 10015 Old Columbia Rd, Columbia, MD 21046
(There will be a 5:30-8:30 reviewing session too)
3:30: Masonville Cove Environmental Ed Center: 1000 Frankfurst Ave, Baltimore
4/4: Ward Museum: 909 S Schumaker Dr, Salisbury, MD 21804
Sign up here to help review Green School applications!
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2017 MAEOE Green School Youth Summit
Save the Date: May 18th!
Join us at Sandy Point State Park on May 18, 2017 from 9 AM to 1 PM for our annual Youth Summit and Environmental Literacy Fair.
Registration will open soon!
Want to exhibit and highlight a project occurring at your Green School?
Call for student exhibitors will go out early March!
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Teachers: Spread the Word!
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| Summer Opportunities for Middle and High School Students |
Natural Resource Careers Camp: Join high school students from across Maryland at this week-long camp in Garrett County to explore careers and college studies in natural resources. This partnership with Allegany College of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources-Forest Service offers high school students a co-educational opportunity to learn from industry professionals and develop contacts that could lead to future employment and a career in natural resources. Scholarships are available.
http://www.marylandforestryboards.org/nrcc.cfm
Get Out and Lead (GOAL): GOAL is an Outward Bound scholarship program that has been developed to cultivate budding leaders through the unique challenge of a 10-day wilderness expedition. Students learn the skills that are critical to success and often not learned in the classroom- leadership styles, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and decision making. The ideal GOAL applicant is a 12-14 year old who already shows natural leadership abilities. Scholarships are available.
http://outwardboundbaltimore.org/courses/goal/
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Environmental Resource Directory
by Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
The Environmental Resource Directory is a database that allows educators to find organizations in the Potomac River basin that can provide field experiences, professional development, funding and more. Educators may search by focus area (water, air, nature, native plant nursery, money, landscape design, waste) or by service provided (curricular resources, school-based presentations, field experiences, professional development workshops, community service opportunities, technical expertise, funding).
Click here for the website.
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TREE-MENDOUS Maryland
TREE-MENDOUS MARYLAND, a program of the Maryland Forest Service, remains one of the most popular programs aimed at helping citizens restore tree cover on public land and community open space in Maryland. To date, they have assisted more than 3,000 towns and communities, parks, and schools planting trees and shrubs to help clean the water, clean the air, and keep our towns and cities inviting, livable, and environmentally viable places to live. Tree-mendous Maryland’s goal is to help Maryland residents have access to affordable trees to plant on their public lands. With permission from land owners, volunteers can plant trees at schools, in state and community parks, local open space, street trees and more. Gather your friends, scout troop or classmates and plant a tree today to clean your air, clean your water and beautify your home town. Tree-Mendous MD website
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Lesson in Conservation: Issue VII
Issue VII of Lessons in Conservation features topics that reflect the dynamic, continually evolving, and interconnected nature of people and place. Across varying backdrops—from dam construction in rural India to conservation in New York City—each module examines the diverse range of stakeholders and perspectives involved in negotiating environmental issues. Lessons in Conservation is the official journal of the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP), and is currently available in electronic format. All materials in Lessons in Conservation are peer-reviewed, and are reproduced from NCEP teaching modules. If you plan to use these materials in your teaching, you may wish to download easily modifiable versions of the materials found in Lessons in Conservation, along with additional teaching and learning modules, from the NCEP Module Collection. Click here to get this month's issue. Check out the Community Buzz on native bees and urban areas!
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From the Ground Up: The Science of Soil
Make science relevant for your students with a topic that affects them every day– soil. These free interactive lesson plans, videos, and classroom tools promote a deeper understanding of core science concepts as your students discover the complex world of soil. This hidden ecosystem not only supports food production, but nearly every form of life on Earth! Take your students on a fascinating journey to unearth the ways science is helping to feed them, their families, and the world. Click here for teacher resources!
The second annual Let It Grow Contest invites teachers and community adults to vote daily for a school of their choice to win a grand prize of a $5,000 agricultural grant and an introduction to a local agronomist! In addition, five runners up will win a $1,000 agricultural grant and the chance to receive a celebratory winner event! Click here for the contest entry!
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| Are you an educator looking for lesson plans, field experiences, or other resources?
The Environmental Resource Directory is a database that allows educators in the Prince George's County region to find organizations that can provide field experiences, professional development, funding and more. Educators may search by focus area (water, air, nature, native plant nursery, money, landscape design, waste) or by service provided (curricular resources, school-based presentations, field experiences, professional development workshops, community service opportunities, technical expertise, funding). This directory was developed by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and the Anacostia Watershed Society with grant funds from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Bay Trust-Prince Georges County Department of Environment's Stormwater Program.
https://www.potomacriver.org/resources/educator-resources/environmentalresourcedirectory/
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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).
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| 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. |
Earth Hour: March 25, 2017**
Earth Hour is about getting the crowd to shine a light on climate action and help change climate change. Every action counts.
To learn more http://www.earthhour.org/.
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MD Arbor Day Poster Contest
"Trees are Terrific and Energy Wise!"
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Eco-Comedy Video Competition
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Deadline: February 24, 2017
Would you like to win a tree planting for your school? Enter Maryland’s 2017 Arbor Day Poster Contest! 1st, 2nd and 3rd place participants will win a tree planting for their school this spring!
Click here for more information!
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Deadline: March 1, 2017
Produce a short, humorous video for YouTube on any topic that relates to conservation and environmental protection. The contest is open to anyone worldwide who has a flair for producing videos. The 2017 Eco-Comedy theme is "Conservation and Environmental Protection."
Click here for more information!
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Thanks to our following sponsors for their generosity:
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In This Issue
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Green School Application Information Submission Tips
Green School Application Reviewing
Tip of the Month: Create a Space for Bees
Professional Development Opportunities
Green School Youth Summit
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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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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NWF and Subaru are teaming up for 2017 Subaru Loves the Earth Program.
Hundreds of Subaru retailers across the country will be displaying a trunk full of items that show how important (and easy!) it is to create a garden that attracts and supports wildlife — and these elements could be yours, free!
Each participating Subaru retailer will deliver the garden elements straight to your school for your installation! Five lucky schools will also win an educational assembly featuring the National Wildlife Federation's own celebrity naturalist and real life wildlife ambassador David Mizejewski!
Click here to enter!
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Green Ribbon Schools Application deadline was earlier this year. Stay tuned to find out which schools earned the Green Ribbon School award!
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Grant Opportunities
Urban Youth Garden Grant:
The goal of the Edible Classroom Youth Gardening Project is to increase the awareness of and appreciation for agriculture in the lives of urban students through hands-on gardening and classroom activities that meet MSDE’s State Curriculum. By implementing MAEF’s mission, this project offers students direct experience with growing, harvesting and preparing fresh foods while learning plant requirements, growing conditions, nutrition and wellness. Deadline March 24th, 2017. Click here for more information.
The Bill James Environmental Grant
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. Deadline March 31st. Click here for more info.
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