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Friday, January 28, 2011

A Broccolicious Friday in Taste of Science


Another Green Elective Profile

Taste of Science is a one semester class that we offer as part of our Green Tech Academy.
The range of topics include cryptids, ecology, invasive species, pollinators, meteorology, climate change, species reintroduction, and organic gardening. Students will be outside tending to our native and vegetable gardens, journaling, chasing pollinators, hiking, and planting.

T
emperatures hit the mid-70's today so it just made sense to take a broccoli break. I had no idea so many students would partake.


We planted this crop from starts last November. We keep our 4x12 beds covered most of the time, but when a stretch of temperate weather is forecast we uncover them. Students have also munched on spinach, cilantro, parsley, and three kinds of lettuce in past veggie breaks this month.


Back to work. One of the first things students study at the beginning of each semester is tool use and safety. We review simple machines. Today we practiced with levers and wedges.




We ended the period visiting the chicken coop. Our 5 hens are laying 4 eggs a day. (Who's the slacker?) Melissa Dunaway, our math lab specialist incorporates our chicken project in her curriculum. Students chart egg weight and length.






Last Friday we went for a walk through our nearby hike and bike trail.


Before embarking, a student calls out the data from our nearest Weatherbug station and the class records the data in their field journals.


This trail was recently installed by the Westcreek Neighborhood Association. It is perfect for nature study and is adjacent to our campus.



Pictured above is the Bug Brigade. They are looking for evidence of insects and arachnids.
There were seven other groups: Tree Folks, Critter Club, Bird Brains, Berry Good People, Flower Children, Waterboys, and Weather Watchers.


Bingo! A den.
Looks abandoned, though.


Before heading back we stopped at Williamson Creek. The green metal fence marks the end of the Westcreek neighborhood's greenbelt. Runoff from recent rain has deposited a lot of debris. We plan to return and clean this place up.



Friday, January 21, 2011

Green Elective Profiles Continued





Courtesy of Chris Brooks:

Introduction to Environmental Studies helps students understand the connections between modern human society and the natural world. Sixth grade student “eco-detectives” investigate the life cycles of the “stuff” we use every day. The first six weeks will focus on the food we eat (where it comes from and what is in it). The second six weeks will look at all the things we use (how they are made and what happens to them after we are finished with them). The third six weeks will focus on eco- projects that allow students to pursue their individual interests (for example, gardening, product design, green building and community service).


Sustainable Food Production and Nutrition Studies is the hands-on gardening and chicken raising class for 7th and 8th graders that helps students understand how food gets from the soil to their plates. Students will follow “permaculture” principles as they prepare soil, manage the water supply, choose appropriate plants, and harvest the crops. Students may also choose to participate in contributing food to our school lunch program and selling their products at the farmers’ market.




Saturday, January 15, 2011

Growin' Green: An Intro to Horticulture





GreenTech Elective Profile

Intro to Horticulture will utilize our on campus greenhouse (Margaret's House) as a laboratory for students to learn how to propagate plants. Additionally students will operate our compost production and learn basic soil morphology. We will also assist other classes in our organic vegetable gardens. This one semester class is offered to 7th and 8th graders as a stand alone elective or as part of the green student certification program.

Margaret's House

















Thursday, January 13, 2011

Where Nature's Wisdom Drives Human Innovation...

... The Green Tech Academy at Small Middle School


B
oth current and future Small Cougars will be making some important educational choices during the next month. Students will have the opportunity to select classes they would like to take in addition tho the core subjects, Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science.
The Green Tech Academy will be offering an expanded selection of environmental and technology based courses. Over the next few posts I will be providing an overview of the semester long "Green" classes.


Native Plants and Animals of Texas is available for 6th graders and has been an elective offering at Small since fall 2005. In addition to being an overview of the flora and fauna of our state, it incorporates gardening, service learning, and environmental stewardship. Students will explore the basics of ecology focusing on pond, prairie, and woodland habitats. They will hike through our nearby woodlands, help maintain our National Wildlife Federation designated Schoolyard Habitat, and participate in a citizen science project focused on migrating butterflies, Monarch Watch, while maintaining a field journal.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Green Light for GreenTech Academy at Small


S
hortly before the winter break our principal, Amy Taylor, received word that our proposal for establishing a Green Tech Academy at Small was accepted by Superintendent Meria Carstarphen. This caps off two years of planning by the Green Team, Mark Kelly, Dr. Sherry Lepine, and Ms. Taylor.
We will be expanding our elective offerings next school year. I will be highlighting the Green electives in upcoming posts. Each course is one semester in length.

Here are the course titles:
6th grade:
Intro to Environmental Science
Native Plants and Animals of Texas
7th/8th grade:
Taste of Science
Intro to Horticulture
Environmental Technology and Design
Environmental Food and Nutrition
8th grade:
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Research