Advanced STEM Service Learning Workshop Scheduled for 2/20/13 in Palmdale

MEEC, sponsored by the generosity of Boeing, will be presenting a teacher Advanced STEM Service Learning Workshop at the Palmdale Conference Center, 1156 East Avenue S, from 4:30 to 7:30pm, on 20 February 2013.  Participants will receive free materials (including a copy of a new book, Integrating Scientific Practices and Service Learning, valued at $35, plus dinner!  Registration closes on 12 February - spots are limited - sign up early.  For more information, visit http://www.meeconline.com/2013-workshops/

MEEC is also offering workshops on the new Environmental Education Initiative curriculum and Earth Science standards in the high desert on 13 February - information on the MEEC website shown above. 

AV YELC Applications Due 9/11

Just a reminder that your Antelope Valley Youth Environmental Leadership Conference - STEM Service Learning - applications and student materials are due to Christie Robinson at MEEC by no later than 5:00pm PDT on Tuesday, 11 September 2012.  Please see earlier post here on 31 July for more details (extended deadline).

Teachers Participate in STEM Service Learning Institute

According to the Contra Costa Times, approximately 150 Southern California teachers from 30 districts recently participated in a free three-day STEM Service Learning Institute held in San Bernardino.  Led by USC Professor Robert de Groot, some of the teachers took a geology walk above CSU San Bernardino to learn about plate tectonics as compared to taking apart an Oreo cookie.  Other presenters included staff from South Coast AQMD, Indio high school students, UC Davis's Afterschool Network program director, and NASA/JPL Educator Resource Center in Pomona.  http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_21102840/teachers-learn-about-science-earthquakes-at-cal-state 

Project Learning Tree Offers GreenWorks Grants - Applications Due by 9/30/12

Any teacher who is Project Learning Tree trained is eligible to apply for a grant from GreenWorks to implement environmentally-related service learning projects in their schools and communities.  Awards are offered in two categories:

1. up to $1,000;
2. up to $3,000 for Project Learning Tree registered GreenSchools.

For more information about eligibility requirements, to obtain a guidebook, and to apply for a grant, visit http://www.greenworks.org/ at the "Apply for a Grant" tab.  Applications are due by no later than 30 September 2012.

YELC Update - Team Registration Extended to 8/27

As an update to the post from 18 June, the deadline to complete and turn in all individual student forms for the Youth Environmental Leadership Conference in September has been extended to 27 August.  Team leaders must fill out and turn in the team registration forms by 15 August 2012, and provide the additional ones by 27 August.  For more information, see the 18 June 2012 post on this blog.

2012 YELC STEM Service Learning Conferences Scheduled for Fall 2012

MEEC's 2012 Youth Environmental Leadership STEM Service Learning Conferences have been scheduled for the California High Desert:  8 September 2012 at Granite Hills High School in the Victor Valley region; and 22 September 2012 at Discovery School in the Antelope Valley region.  Joel Greene from "Curiosity Quest" will be the keynote speaker for both events. 

The registration deadline for teams to participate is 15 August 2012; applications and further information are available at http://www.meeconline.com/students/yelc/ .

Limited transportation funds are available; teams may receive up to $250 grants to implement their service learning projects.  For more information, contact Christie Robinson of MEEC at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov .

STEM Service Learning Workshop Scheduled for Palmdale on 5/1/12

MEEC, through the generous sponsorship of Boeing, is offering a workshop on STEM Service Learning from 4:30 to 7:00pm, on 1 May 2012 at the Center for Career-Technical Education (formerly known as "The ROP") in Palmdale.  A $10 registration fee is required (refunded upon completion); slots are limited and registration is due to Christie Robinson at MEEC by no later than 27 April 2012.

Teachers who participate will receive not only dinner, but also curriculum resources worth approximately $70 and strategies to incorporate STEM service learning projects into their classrooms and to participate in the Fall Youth Environmental Leadership Conference.

For more information, contact Christie Robinson at christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov or (760) 245-1661 x 6101.

YELC in the Antelope Valley 1/21/12

Approximately 70 students from Antelope Valley schools participated in the AV Youth Environmental Leadership Conference at Mariposa Elementary School on Saturday, 21 January 2012, presented by MEEC and sponsored by area companies such as Boeing and Lockheed.  Thirteen teams from middle and high schools took part in a general session presentation by Joel Greene of PBS Curiosity Quest fame (http://www.curiosityquest.org/whos.html ), followed by break-out sessions on Robotics, Recycling, Water, Energy, Women in Mining, and School Gardening, among others.  The theme for the event was STEM service learning, and teams must complete projects over the year in order to receive seed funding.

YELC Application Deadline 11/30/11

The Antelope Valley region Youth Environmental Leadership Conference (YELC), hosted by the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC), for AV student teams in grades 3 through 12, will be held on Saturday, 21 January 2012 at Mariposa Elementary in Lancaster (Victor Valley region event on 4 February 2012), from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  The keynote presenter will be Joel Greene, host of the national television program, "Curiosity Quest."  Applications and additional information about the event are available at http://www.meeconline.com/students/yelc/.  Applications are due to Cindi Wray by no later than 30 November 2011.

STEM Service Learning Workshop on 10/11 or 10/25/11

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC), with generous sponsorship from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, is hosting its first-ever, free STEM Service Learning Workshop for teachers in grades 3-12 from 4:30 to 7:30pm on 11 October 2011 (RSVP by 5 October) at Mariposa Elementary in Lancaster and 25 October 2011 (RSVP by 17 October) at the MDAQMD in Victorville.  Attendees will be provided with tips and tools to organizing service learning projects to engage and extend the learning of their students, as well as environmental education curriculum, the opportunity to obtain a grant for their project, and free dinner!  Participants will also be prepared to attend the Youth Environmental Leadership Conference in spring, with keynote Joel Greene of Curiosity Quest.  A refundable $10 deposit is required to attend, along with the application.  http://www.meeconline.com/science-technology-engineering-mathematics/.  For additional info, contact Cindi Wray at MEEC (760) 245-1661.

As an example of such a project, consider the 2011 California K-12 Schools Recycling Challenge running between 17 October and 12 November 2011, sponsored by "Keep California Beautiful."  For more information on this project, contact Christine Flowers at 916-368-9301.  Register at http://greencaschools.org/ .