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Educator newsletter

The SJRWMD Educator Update

 

February 2006

In this issue:

Water Fact

In the water world, water is commonly measured in acre-feet. But what is an acre-foot? One acre-foot of water can fill one acre of land, approximately the size of a football field, 1 foot deep. An acre-foot contains 325,900 gallons of water, and can supply the annual indoor and outdoor needs of two households for a family of four.

The Great Water OdysseySM

Development of the St. Johns River Water Management District’s (SJRWMD) fourth- and fifth-grade programs for The Great Water OdysseySM were completed on January 15, joining the third-grade program. The Great Water OdysseySM is an interactive computer-based program that teaches about water and science through reading and writing. It contains FCAT preparation activities in a fun format. Schedule to attend a workshop or call Barbra Seibert to find out more information on how this program could help you, your class, and your school at siebertb@nefec.org. Click here to visit our Internet site http://www.thegreatwaterodyssey.com.

Mapping resources on the Web

Geography and mapmaking lessons have many resources available on the Web. Geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and remote sensing Web sites provide the teacher and student with real-world information from simple map construction and analysis to more sophisticated model building.

One application might be teachers and students involved with field data collection with water quality probes that can link GPS receivers to tie location information to site attributes. Then, they can analyze findings on a map with GIS. For more information and mapmaking resources, visit the following Web sites:

  • USGS National Atlas is an interactive mapping and data warehouse found at http://www.nationalatlas.gov.
  • RUPRI Community Information Resources Center Map Room allows you to create a map with timely, policy-relevant information. The information provides decision support to government agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups across the U.S. and globally. Visit http://circ.rupri.org/.
  • Earthcache contains virtual earth science caches including, GPS information, photos, earth science lessons, and Web delivery. Visit http://www.earthcache.org/.
  • ViziMap, creates and shares geostories, a natural history field trip, photos, and other digital documents at http://www.viziworld.com/.
  • To find out more about geospatial technology, visit http://www.gis.com/.
  • Map Gallery showcases professional geospatial research projects. Go to http://www.esri.com/mapmuseum/.
  • Community Atlas Program shows student research and provides information about the school grant program. K-12 schools and other groups submitting a complete and approved entry will receive a reward from ESRI. No “pre-application” is necessary; classes just prepare a project according to the guidelines and submit it. Projects may be submitted through May 19, 2006. For more information, visit http://www.esri.com/communityatlas/.
New Environmental Education Resource Center in St. Johns County

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) opened the new 21,000-square-foot Environmental Education Center at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) Saturday, September 24, 2005. The $6.2 million project includes interpretive exhibits, aquariums, classrooms, a reading room, teaching and working laboratories, an auditorium, and an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Guana River Aquatic Preserve. Programs will be offered to schoolteachers, students (4th grade, 7th grade, and high school), adults, and environmental professionals.

The Environmental Education Center is now open daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with the exception of state holidays. Admission to the Environmental Education Center is $2 for adults, $1 for children aged10 to 17 and free for children under 10. Programs at the new center will include monthly coastal science seminars, a brown bag lunch program on the first Friday of the month and a number of guided nature walks and movies on weekends.

The center is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (8 miles north of Vilano Beach and 17 miles south of J. Turner Butler Boulevard). For more information, call (904)823-4500 or visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/sites/gtm/.

School Science Nights Take Off

During 2005, Watershed Action Volunteers (WAVs) in five counties coordinated nine Splash Into Science Nights in elementary schools, reaching more than 4,000 students. These science nights teach students and their parents about the protection of water resources and water conservation. The program includes two main parts: classroom presentations and Splash Into Science Night.

Before a Splash Into Science Night can be offered at a school, the school must agree to incorporate water education into its curriculum. To assist the school in doing this, WAVs implement water presentations at all grade levels or at selected grade levels, depending on the size of the school. In addition, SJRWMD staff can offer professional development training to the school’s teachers through Project WET, The Great Water OdysseySM or a custom teacher workshop. For more information about Splash Into Science, contact your local WAV coordinator. A list of the coordinators can be found at http://www.sjrwmd.com/education/wav/countycontacts.html.

Legacy Tool Box is coming soon

Lesson plans created by Legacy’s water resources education teachers will soon be placed on the SJRWMD’s Web site. The lesson plans are designed for any middle or high school teacher who is doing environmental service-learning or enjoys teaching outdoors. The lesson plans are correlated to the Florida Sunshine State Standards and can be adapted for a variety of audiences. Topics include:

  • Orienteering
  • Mapping
  • Kiosk development
  • Brochure design
  • Land assessment using geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Soils, several lessons
  • Piezomoters and monoliths

Look for the lesson plans on SJRWMD’s Web site in mid-February at http://www.sjrwmd.com/education/lessonplans/index.html.

Additional topics will be released later in the school year.

Web Resources
  • The Capacon Institute has an interactive classroom that teaches students about many water resource issues. There is a section for teachers where they learn how to use the site and it gives lesson plans for the various subject areas. http://cacaponinstitute.org/high.htm.
  • Geology Labs Online: Virtual River was created by the California State University at Los Angeles. This site allows students to participate in two interactive exercises designed to help the user learn about river processes like discharge, flooding, and flood frequency. Each activity requires a person to make careful observations and measurements, do simple calculations, and answer questions abou his or her work. A Certificate of Completion is available for printing at the end of each activity. http://www.sciencecourseware.com/VirtualRiver/index.html
  • The latest in the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Share the Adventure! series is available on the Internet as an electronic field trip entitled “Fire’s Role in Ecosystems: A Hot Topic!” This Web-based program was launched October 31, 2005, and features three segments:
    • A “virtual visit” focusing on the role of wildland fire in ecosystems
    • An “Ask the Experts” session in which BLM fire specialists answer student questions online
    • A student journal to allow educators to assess student learning
    Links to background information and other references are also provided. The field trip is available for viewing at http://www.efieldtrips.org/.
  • Science Explorer Transparencies are Electronic PDF files of transparencies for water science and can easily be downloaded for printing or viewing on-screen. These PDF files contain the full-color art. http://www.phschool.com/science/ca_sci_exp_transparencies/earth_sci_unit3.pdf
  • The Vernal (seasonal wetlands) Pool Association Web site features general information defining and describing vernal pools as a habitat type, including an illustrated cartoon series. Resources for educators and students include suggestions for classroom and field trip activities, examples of school projects, field guides, and teacher resources such as workshops.

    While this site contains several references to Massachusetts-specific resources and regulations, it is useful in Florida where vernal pools are found. Links are provided to scientific researchers conducting vernal pool studies, including their methods and results. There is an extensive page of resources, both digital and in print. Educators and students are encouraged to download and use the collection of 78 slides of vernal pools and associated species on this site. http://www.vernalpool.org/vernal_1.htm
Funding Opportunities
  • The American Water Resource Association has funding and grant opportunities for teachers and students at http://www.awraflorida.org/. This grant was created to provide science teachers in grades K to 12 educational materials for the classroom and for science centers. The grant money is awarded to educators to promote water resource educational units. They award at least $350 to three educators. The annual deadline for this grant is June 1 with the awards by August.
  • Outdoor Classroom Grant Program: Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! classroom magazine have partnered to create an outdoor classroom grant program to provide schools with additional resources to improve their science curriculum by engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom. All K-12 public schools in the United States are welcome to apply.

    This school year, the program will award grants up to $2,000 to at least 100 schools. In some cases, grants for up to $20,000 may be awarded to schools or school districts with major outdoor classroom projects. Some outdoor classrooms will be small gardens for growing flowers and vegetables. Other outdoor learning spaces will include a butterfly garden, a small pond or bog, a nature trail, animal tracking boxes or a bird sanctuary. More elaborate outdoor learning environments include a laboratory for testing water and soil quality, a greenhouse, wetlands, an arboretum or a shelter. Grants will be reviewed three times a year. You will be notified via e-mail if your grant proposal was declined. For more information, visit http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg?p=AboutLowes/outdoor/apply1.html.
Workshops and Events Calendar
  • February 4, 2006 – The 7th Annual Water Festival at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) in Jacksonville. This is a family event with activities geared to an elementary age audience.
  • February 11, 2006 – Project WET workshop for all levels at the Jacksonville Zoo (370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville). To register, please contact Kelliann Whitney at (904) 757-4463, ext. 107, or at whitneyk@jaxzoo.org.
  • February 11, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Train-the-Trainer in Palatka. To register, go to http://www.nefec.org/.
  • February 20-March 20, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM, Brevard County. Contact Vicki Crisp to register at crisp_vi@nefec.org.
  • February 20-March 20, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM 3rd grade online teacher training. To register, go to http://www.nefec.org/.
  • February 20-March 24, 2006 – National Association for Interpretation’s Regional workshop will be held in Gainesville. For information, contact Angela Yau at admin@natureoperations.org.
  • February 27-March 27, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM 5th grade online teacher training. To register, go to http://www.nefec.org/.
  • March 6-April 3, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM 4th grade online teacher training. To register, go to http://www.nefec.org/.
  • March 16-19, 2006 – League of Environmental Educators of Florida (LEEF) annual conference in Bradenton. For more information, visit http://leeflet.brinkster.net.
  • March 18, 2006 – Healthy Water Healthy People workshop at Trout Lake Nature Center in Lake County. To register, e-mail Lori Dennard at ldennard@sjrwmd.com.
  • March 22-24, 2006 – Florida Education Technology Conference (FETC) March 22-24, 2006, Orlando. For more information, visit http://www.fetc.org.
  • April 17-May 15, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM 4th grade online teacher training. To register, go to http://www.nefec.org/.
  • April 24-May 24, 2006 – The Great Water OdysseySM 5th grade online teacher training. To register, go to http://www.nefec.org/.

Natural History and Conservation of Florida Turtles Fourteenth Annual Summer Workshops for Formal and Non-formal Educators

June 5-8, 2006: Boyd Hill Nature Park, (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
June 12-15, 2006: Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.)
June 19-22, 2006: Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (Apalachicola, Fla.)

Join other educators from throughout Florida to:

  • Canoe and snorkel on spring-fed rivers
  • Watch marine turtles nesting on a central Florida beach
  • Explore an endangered longleaf pine ecosystem

Examine gopher tortoise burrows with a burrow camera, and explore a diamondback terrapin nesting beach.
For a full program description and registration form, visit http://heinrichecologicalservices.com/2006registration.pdf.

Project WetWET Facilitator Corner

A WET store

Project WET offers a host of publications and tools that assist in teaching water resources. For more information, visit their online store at http://www.projectwet.org/store/. Participants at future WET workshops will receive a catalog for this store.

Facilitator Page

Don’t forget to visit the Facilitator Page on the SJRWMD Web site at http://www.sjrwmd.com/education/projectwet/facilitators.html. There you will find the most up-to-date workshop forms, SSS correlations, and FCAT sample questions.

Facilitator Retreat

A retreat for all active WET facilitators is being planned for July 2006. Invitations will be sent out in February 2006. If you have an idea or suggestion on what you would like to have included at this retreat, e-mail Barbra Siebert at siebertb@nefec.org.

 

For more information on the SJRWMD’s education material and programs, or for suggestions for this newsletter, contact:
Deirdre A. Irwin
Youth Education Coordinator
dirwin@sjrwmd.com
(386) 312-2310

Or the visit SJRWMD’s Web site at http://www.sjrwmd.com/education/.

 

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