For my final project — which will include pictures, a sound-slideshow, a video package and, of course, a print story — I originally wanted to focus on what San Diego companies (such as the water and energy companies) are doing to reach out and educate local students on conservation and other important or unique-to-San Diego issues.
The San Diego Zoo has a recycling program, and the San Diego Water Dept. had an exhibit at the Natural History Museum this past weekend, so yesterday, I headed over to the two locations to take some pictures and video clips. My sister fixed her camera just in time, so it worked out.
I also heard about something that a number of San Diego County schools do for their students in middle school (though I need to find out if this also extends to elementary and high school students): Classrooms literally move to the zoo and Balboa Park for a full week. Students learn about issues relevant to these places in lieu of going to class on their normal school campuses.
So that's what my new project will be about. As soon as I get the pictures off my camera, I'll put some on here.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Teachers get a lesson from the zoo
This summer, high school life science teachers from all over the country will get the opportunity to spend three full days and two nights at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park for the Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES) Summer Institute.
Of course, they have to apply first. Applications are due May 31 and selected teachers will receive a $500 stipend.
Global amphibian decline, the recovery of the California condor, the bushmeat crisis and the conservation of biodiversity in San Diego County are just some of the subjects that will be focused on at the institute this August.
Teachers will sleep in tents at the Wild Animal Park, take part in lectures and hands-on activities, and, most importantly, have new perspectives and experiences to bring to their students in the fall.
Of course, they have to apply first. Applications are due May 31 and selected teachers will receive a $500 stipend.
Global amphibian decline, the recovery of the California condor, the bushmeat crisis and the conservation of biodiversity in San Diego County are just some of the subjects that will be focused on at the institute this August.
Teachers will sleep in tents at the Wild Animal Park, take part in lectures and hands-on activities, and, most importantly, have new perspectives and experiences to bring to their students in the fall.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Maybe money does grow on trees
Students at Morse High School in San Diego are learning the value of growing their own food, and they're getting paid for it. The San Diego Women's Foundation offers $400 to students who complete the eight-week program. More on this can be found at signonsandiego.com
“I'm just not a big fan of worms. The smell of it is immensely horrendous,” Reginald, 16, (pictured above) said of the droppings, which are used as plant food.
Photo from signonsandiego.com
Photo from signonsandiego.com
Girl Scouts make for some interesting news
It's that time of year for Girl Scout cookies. Seeing the colorful boxes and teal-vested troop members brings up the topic of scout- and club-involvement at an early age.
This year, though, there seems to be a lot of bad news when it comes to Girl Scouts in the news.
First, there's the whole switching-bakery thing that has resulted in some pretty below-par cookies.
Then, there's the Girl Scout "volunteer" (an older male, which is odd in the first place) who was accused of molesting a young child. Supposedly, he passed a background check with the Girl Scouts program, which has to make you wonder how thorough they really are.
On a side note, when I worked for a middle school over this past summer as a youth development specialist for the Center for Community Solutions, my interview and background-check process lasted more than a few weeks and included several interviews, fingerprinting, drug testing, and they spoke with each of my three references for more than 10 minutes each.
Then there's a bit of a bizarre project Girl Scouts have undertaken: Collecting old socks and stuffing them with cat nip, then giving them to stray cats. Don't get me wrong, it's sweet, and I love animals, but now there are just a bunch of dirty, herbed socks laying around alleys or what? The program is called Operation Happy Sock and was started in 2004.
This year, though, there seems to be a lot of bad news when it comes to Girl Scouts in the news.
First, there's the whole switching-bakery thing that has resulted in some pretty below-par cookies.
Then, there's the Girl Scout "volunteer" (an older male, which is odd in the first place) who was accused of molesting a young child. Supposedly, he passed a background check with the Girl Scouts program, which has to make you wonder how thorough they really are.
On a side note, when I worked for a middle school over this past summer as a youth development specialist for the Center for Community Solutions, my interview and background-check process lasted more than a few weeks and included several interviews, fingerprinting, drug testing, and they spoke with each of my three references for more than 10 minutes each.
Then there's a bit of a bizarre project Girl Scouts have undertaken: Collecting old socks and stuffing them with cat nip, then giving them to stray cats. Don't get me wrong, it's sweet, and I love animals, but now there are just a bunch of dirty, herbed socks laying around alleys or what? The program is called Operation Happy Sock and was started in 2004.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Preparation for the global world 
It's no secret that our world is increasingly becoming more globalized. Countries such as Japan and China are producing electronics, cars and a myriad of other products and toys that children here in the U.S. enjoy on a daily basis.
It's important for children to know where their favorite things are coming from and who's making them, but it's also a good idea to have some background knowledge from the culture that's producing these things.
In the seventh grade, I learned all about Japan, as there was a Japan unit in my language arts class. My teacher familiarized us with the overall landscape/map of Japan, major cities, historical events, and we even had a Japanese food day and learned how to use chopsticks. Which brings me to the meat of this post:
How to use chopsticks:
(Watch About.com video)
How to make oragami
There is a site, Origami KinderCrafts that has step-by-step illustrations (brightly colored and cute, too) for how to make popular oragami that I grew up making (fortune tellers, jumping frogs), as well as more unique creations, such as a "hexaflexagon" and butterfly.
In fact, there is a whole Japanese Crafts section of the site, featuring how to make a Japanese garden, hanging fish and more.
How to make sushi:
Don't let your kids wait 'til they're 19 (like I was) to try sushi for the first time. Yes, some kids are picky and may be grossed out by the whole raw-fish aspect (they don't have to know, though), but having an appreciation for different culture-based foods may help in building and strengthening an open mind to aspects of all different cultures.
Now, there are tons of resources online for how to make sushi, but I liked Tawnee Prazak's (last year's managing editor of The Daily Aztec) article on how to make (and enjoy) sushi.
It's important for children to know where their favorite things are coming from and who's making them, but it's also a good idea to have some background knowledge from the culture that's producing these things.
In the seventh grade, I learned all about Japan, as there was a Japan unit in my language arts class. My teacher familiarized us with the overall landscape/map of Japan, major cities, historical events, and we even had a Japanese food day and learned how to use chopsticks. Which brings me to the meat of this post:
How to use chopsticks:
(Watch About.com video)
How to make oragami
There is a site, Origami KinderCrafts that has step-by-step illustrations (brightly colored and cute, too) for how to make popular oragami that I grew up making (fortune tellers, jumping frogs), as well as more unique creations, such as a "hexaflexagon" and butterfly.
In fact, there is a whole Japanese Crafts section of the site, featuring how to make a Japanese garden, hanging fish and more.
How to make sushi:
Don't let your kids wait 'til they're 19 (like I was) to try sushi for the first time. Yes, some kids are picky and may be grossed out by the whole raw-fish aspect (they don't have to know, though), but having an appreciation for different culture-based foods may help in building and strengthening an open mind to aspects of all different cultures.
Now, there are tons of resources online for how to make sushi, but I liked Tawnee Prazak's (last year's managing editor of The Daily Aztec) article on how to make (and enjoy) sushi.
Skateboards in the classroom?
In my recreation class the other day, we had a guest speaker, Paul Schmitt of PS Stix (Schmitt Stix) skateboards. Now in his 40s, Schmitt has been making skateboards since he was 14. Originally from Costa Mesa, Calif., Paul lives and works in San Diego, and has a factory in China and one opening in Tijuana, Mexico soon.
Schmitt will only use Maple wood from the Great Lakes region because of the conditions that allow the trees to have such great strength. His company produces boards for major brands, such as Element, another company he helped found.
At the beginning of his lecture, I was amazed at the astounding number of skateboards produced on a weekly basis and felt sorry for all the trees being cut down. But he later went on to explain that they are being as environmentally friendly as technologically possible right now. All extra wood not used for the skateboards is used as lumber for making furniture, and the factory where the boards are made is completely self-sustaining and uses all recycled water and energy.
He extended his love of skating and environment to education. Students can petition their schools to offer the CreateAskate program, a 5- to 10-day program (40 to 80 minutes per day) where students literally make their own skateboards. The best part? The students plant a tree in their school or a nearby park at the end of the program.
Click the play button to watch what the program is like in action:
Schmitt will only use Maple wood from the Great Lakes region because of the conditions that allow the trees to have such great strength. His company produces boards for major brands, such as Element, another company he helped found.
At the beginning of his lecture, I was amazed at the astounding number of skateboards produced on a weekly basis and felt sorry for all the trees being cut down. But he later went on to explain that they are being as environmentally friendly as technologically possible right now. All extra wood not used for the skateboards is used as lumber for making furniture, and the factory where the boards are made is completely self-sustaining and uses all recycled water and energy.
He extended his love of skating and environment to education. Students can petition their schools to offer the CreateAskate program, a 5- to 10-day program (40 to 80 minutes per day) where students literally make their own skateboards. The best part? The students plant a tree in their school or a nearby park at the end of the program.
Click the play button to watch what the program is like in action:
Monday, March 3, 2008
Teaching conservation online
What are San Diego companies and organizations doing to reach out to their community's youths? More importantly, what are the people who work for vital organizations, such as the county water department and energy companies, doing to teach children about conservation in an age of dwindling resources?
SDG&E has a kids page that features activities, such as crossword puzzles and word searches, as well as poster contest winners and information about saving energy and who works for SDG&E.
The county water department also has a poster contest. The deadline for first- through sixth-grade students is March 26. It also features a downloadable activity book (PDF) that can be printed and given to any child who enjoys coloring books and the like.
SDG&E has a kids page that features activities, such as crossword puzzles and word searches, as well as poster contest winners and information about saving energy and who works for SDG&E.
The county water department also has a poster contest. The deadline for first- through sixth-grade students is March 26. It also features a downloadable activity book (PDF) that can be printed and given to any child who enjoys coloring books and the like.
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