Daddy Dearests

Rather than try to re-tell a story that's already been published, I figured I'd just link to the U-T's story about the D.A.D.S. -- Dedicated And Determined Support -- Group. Great educational topic, and also something that would have been worth bringing up in one of my women's studies classes :)

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:


Video from the CreateAskate Web site.

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.

Not your typical fundraiser

We surely all can remember being propositioned by a third-grader to buy cookie dough, or maybe the sixth-graders down the street knocked on your door to ask if you'd like to buy some magazine subscriptions.

Usually, public schools encourage their students to sell such products to raise money for the school, or maybe it's a particular program at the school. Well, in light of the water crisis affecting the southwest and Southern California, some Inland Empire schools are selling drought-tolerant mini-gardens that also attract butterflies and songbirds. The program is a pilot project of Cal State San Bernardino's Water Resources Institute, according to the article in Press-Enterprise's Inland News section.

The article notes that parents often learn about conservation efforts and issues, such as recycling, through their children. This is just one more way children can help educate those around them of how to help not only the environment, but also how to save money and protect our dwindling resources. Perhaps some San Diego schools could implement this fundraising program.

The Gardener's Supply Co. lists some of its readers' favorite drought-tolerant plants on its Web site.

One problem with the plants, though, that PE's article says needs to be addressed with buyers, is that the plants need a lot of water and should be planted before the dry heat waves come in around May.


Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo from www.gardeners.com

Lessons from the zoo

The Education Department's mission is to increase the knowledge and appreciation of animals and plants in people of all ages through a wide variety of educational programs and services.—www.sandiegozoo.org


On the San Diego Zoo's Web site, there is a link to an "Education" section. This part of the site is a helpful resource to teachers and parents alike, or even kids who want to get involved in learning about and helping wildlife. When I was in elementary school, I was part of the Sydney's Koala Club (or the kids' version of the Zoological Society of San Diego membership), and was quite active in saving the rainforests through letters I mailed out to who knows where.

The point of all this is, activism or simply a project here and there can be very valuable to children in a number of ways. First of all, they're learning more than Hannah Montana's latest song lyrics or which video game has the most violence. Second, in this age of "going green," it's important for youth to have an appreciation of the species we are trying to protect — from plants and animals, to recycling our cans, bottles and papers. Finally, being involved in a project, such as those offered through the San Diego Zoo, can help children make friends and feel a part of a community, helping to build self-esteem and an identity.

For more information on the types of information and programs offered through the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, visit the Education section of the zoo's Web site, or call (619) 557-3962.

Visit the Zoo Blogs or check out the Photo Journal to see what it's like to be involved with the zoo.

Photo credits:
1) Koala (sandiegozoo.org)
2) Recycling symbol (vims.edu)
3) Child in garden (prairienursery.com)