Nicholas DiPasquale, students, and volunteers engaged in educational Chesapeake Bay activities at the 2013 Chesapeake Bay Bowl.

We often hear that the United States is losing its scientific and technical edge to other nations, and we lament the fact that our students don’t seem interested in learning about science or math. But that perception was shattered as I observed students from four watershed states and the District of Columbia compete in the sixteenth annual Chesapeake Bay Bowl at George Mason University.

The Chesapeake Bay Bowl is a regional division of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl, which tests high school students’ knowledge of the marine sciences. I had the opportunity to watch Bay Bowl competitors in action; it was amazing. These young people knew their science, from the names of the different ocean currents to the various parts of a wind turbine. They worked collaboratively to come up with the correct answers to the questions. You could almost see the “gears turning” as they raced against the clock to respond.

At noon on the day of the competition, I gave a lunchtime address on the Bay restoration effort. But I didn’t have to wonder if the audience understood my presentation. And I didn’t have to worry about the next generation of scientists who will pick up where we leave off to carry on the restoration work that began in the watershed some 30 years ago. As irony would have it, the first Bay agreement was signed at George Mason University in 1983. The work continues and this new crop of scientists will deal with new challenges, like addressing the impacts of climate change and new sources of pollution. I slept better knowing that they will be up to the task.

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Get your students involved in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Bowl competition!

Stay Tuned: Are you interested in getting your students involved in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Bowl?  Be sure to check Bay Backpack this fall for information on how to participate.  Teams typically are recruited in September/October, with statement of intent forms due in mid-October.  Next year, the competition will take place at the University of Delaware.

While you eagerly await the next Chesapeake Bay Bowl, encourage your students to learn about the many problems facing our nation’s largest estuary on the Chesapeake Bay Program website.

Key takeaways from Center for Green Schools 2013 State of our Schools Report

If you’re lucky, you spend your days at a school that has clean air, bright daylit classrooms and is a comfortable and pleasant place to be. If you do, you’re also in the minority. Far too many Americans learn and work in schools with crumbling facilities that negatively impact the health, safety and performance of its students, teachers and staff.

A report released in March by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council estimates that $271 billion is needed to bring public schools in the United States up to working order and comply with the laws. That’s $5,450 for every of the nearly 100,000 public school students in the U.S. Adding modernization to this bill to meet the basic needs of students and teachers brings the total up to $542 billion.

These estimates are “best guesses” and are possibly on the low end; the report calls attention to the fact that it has been 18 years since the federal government conducted a comprehensive study of the condition of our nation’s public school facilities. The 1995 study revealed that an estimated 15,000 schools had air that was unfit to breathe! With the majority of schools still in use nearly two decades later, we aren’t optimistic that that number has decreased. The 5-page report explores the impact of school facilities on student behavior, health, education and communities.

The 2013 State of our Schools report, which features an inspiring introduction from President Bill Clinton, brings to light the fact that we are lacking critical data that allows us to address the safety, health, education and environmental challenges of our public school facilities. Better understanding would allow us to not only demonstrate that green schools can bring significant benefits to school and district facilities, but prove that we can invest school’s limited resources more efficiently, effectively and equitably.

Educators can support our efforts by raising awareness about the impact that the conditions of school facilities have on student performance and health. Join a local Green School Committee, work on the ground to improve community schools through our Green Apple Day of Service, earn a Green Classroom Professional Certificate, or connect with your local legislator on these important issues.

This isn’t a conversation about better buildings, it’s a conversation about delivering better education to our students, and ensuring that the places where they learn don’t make them sick, or in other ways jeopardize their future.

Bringing Climate Change Home (USDA)

May 1, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Vicki Arthur will lead participants through a wide range of education resources from the U.S. Forest Service for teaching about climate change.  Learn about computer modeling  classroom activities, ClimateChangeLIVE, etc. Explore these and many more science based resources which will bring climate change closer to home; helping to answer the question, “What does climate change mean to me?” Register here!

Drinking Water Best Practices for School and Child Care Facilities (EPA)
	May 8, 2013 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. This webinar will cover the best management practices for drinking water in a school or child care facility. Specifically, the webinar will describe practices a school or child care facility can implement to reduce lead and bacteria in their facility, how to avoid cross contamination, protect your water source, and conserve water. Register here!

Engaging Your Community on Green Apple Day of Service (USGBC)

May 15, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Join the Center for Green Schools in preparing for the 2nd annual Green Apple Day of Service. During this webinar we will introduce the basics on what this day means and how your community can get involved. We’ll discuss the kinds of projects you can take on to transform your classroom, school or campus, how to put a project team together, and other resources you may need along the way. Register here!

Teacher Ranger Teacher (NPS)

May 22, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Discover how to teach your class about the environment, outdoor recreation and our nation’s historic places by participating in the National Park Service’s Teacher-Ranger-Teacher professional development program.  This webinar will include information on opportunities to participate, how to receive graduate credit, and some examples of previous teachers’ experiences in the program. Register here!

Authentic Student Voice and Leadership in GreenSchools! (USFS & PLT)

May 29, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. In a growing number of Project Learning Tree GreenSchools! across the United States, students are becoming involved in decision-making activities that affect their environment and community. This webinar will feature dynamic Green Team student leaders who will share compelling and personal testimonials about the transformative power of student leadership in the Green Schools movement. Register here!

For more information on the Green Strides Webinar Series, upcoming webinars, and past webinar recordings, please visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/webinar.html

Shadia Fayne Wood, Brower Youth Awards winner '04, presents Jacob Glass with his award. Image: Earth Island Institute

Finding funding to support environmental education can be a real challenge and identifying applicable grants can be a hassle. To help you kick-start the process of getting your classroom project off the ground, we here at Bay Backpack have identified some great grant opportunities that are about to fly by. Some of these grants are not directly related to environmental or Chesapeake Bay education, but all could be used to support it. Be sure to note the submission deadlines, and good luck with your applications!

BGE Green Grants

BGE Green Grants of between $500-$10,000 are now being offered to local communities within the BGE service area.  Applicant’s must be a 501c3 non-profit with a Board of Directors, and will be considered for new and existing programs that fall within the Environmental Focus Areas (conservation, education, energy efficiency, pollution prevention and community activism) as well as requests for funding that clearly demonstrates improvement in environmental efforts of the community. Applications are due by May 10, 2013.

Brower Youth Awards for Environmental Leadership

The Earth Island Institute established The Brower Youth Award for Environmental Leadership to recognize the outstanding leadership efforts of young people who are working for the protection of our shared planet.  Each of the six recipients of the Brower Youth Awards will receive a $3,000 cash prize, a professionally produced short film about their work, and flight and lodging accommodations for a week-long trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. Applications are due by May 13, 2013 by 9:00 p.m. Pacific time

Stream Restoration Challenge

The Stream Restoration Challenge is once again accepting applications for projects that enhance or establish forested stream buffers while creating service learning and environmental literacy activities for students.  With $4 million dollars available, the State of Maryland will add to the 364 acres of buffer funded from the first solicitation and the 13,300 Maryland students that will already be actively engaged.  All proposals are due by Thursday May 30, 2013 at 5pm.

Learning & Leadership Grants

The NEA Foundation’s Learning & Leadership grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of the following two purposes: (1) Grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research; or (2) Grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. All professional development must improve practice, curriculum, and student achievement. Applications are due by June 1, 2013.

Student Achievement Grants

The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Grant requests can be submitted for $2,000 and $5,000. Applications are due by June 1, 2013.

K-12 Environmental Education Mini Grants

The Chesapeake Bay Trust Mini Grant Program supports activities such as Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE), teacher professional development and programs to advance environmental literacy in the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams.  Non-profit organizations, community associations, faith-based organizations and more in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia can apply for funding of up to $5,000.  Applications are due by June 7, 2013 at 5:00 pm.

Image courtesy Maryland Sea Grant.

Maryland Public Television (MPT) will celebrate the nation’s largest estuary with a week of Chesapeake Bay-related programming, to begin on Sunday, April 21.

During Chesapeake Bay Week, a dozen programs will explore some of the most pressing issues facing the watershed, from the future of the agriculture and seafood industries to the health of iconic critters and waterways. An hour-long special called “Who Killed Crassostrea virginica?” will take a look at the demise of the Bay’s native oyster, while a 30-minute program called “The Last Boat Out” will follow a family of Virginia watermen as they question staying in the business of seafood harvesting.

Bay history, too, will be part of the annual event: “Black Captains of the Chesapeake” will highlight African Americans who have captained on the Bay, while “Growing Up on Tilghman” will explore what it was like to grow up in this quiet watermen’s community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“There is really rich content within these shows,” said Betsy Peisach, MPT’s managing director for education marketing and outreach. Peisach encourages teachers, in particular, to bring these programs into their classrooms where possible. And for those who teach middle-school science, MPT has developed an online interactive that allows students to explore the Bay, whether it is through a virtual tour of the Bay’s varied ecosystems or an online cinema that features clips from Outdoors Maryland.

MPT will wrap up Chesapeake Bay Week with a concert and volunteer-a-thon to connect viewers with volunteer opportunities across the watershed.

The Chesapeake Bay Program is a sponsor of Chesapeake Bay Week this year. Learn more.

This content originally appeared on ChesapeakeBay.net

Engage youth in environmental service learning and restoration activities!

The Stream Restoration Challenge will get kids outdoors.

The Stream Restoration Challenge is once again accepting applications for projects that enhance or establish forested stream buffers while creating service learning and environmental literacy activities for students.

With $4 million dollars available, the State of Maryland will add to the 364 acres of buffer funded from the first solicitation and the 13,300 Maryland students that will already be actively engaged.

Projects funded through this program will not only enhance water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, but will also educate and prepare the environmental stewards of tomorrow.  To date, the most successful projects have demonstrated strong collaboration between local governments, school systems, and watershed organizations to bring together technical skill, capacity, and academic rigor.

This funding is a wonderful opportunity for your school to actively involve students in all phases of a restoration project; from planning and site prep to monitoring and evaluation.  The projects will meet a number of Environmental Literacy Standards, namely Standard 1 which involves investigation and action (and is traditionally difficult to address).  Here are some great ideas for stream restoration and forest buffer lesson plans to help you start thinking about education connections.

To accept the challenge, visit the Challenge website, review the RFP, and begin to explore your project idea using the StreamHealth and Trust Fund Priority maps.  Regional Foresters are available to visit your potential sites and discuss planting plans and species selection. All proposals are due by Thursday May 30, 2013 at 5pm.

For further information, to discuss your idea, or to connect to potential partners, please contact Gabe Cohee (gcohee@dnr.state.md.us; 410.260.8753) at the Department of Natural Resources.

Also, make sure to join the conversation on Facebook!  You can access additional resources, ask questions, and collaborate with other applicants.

Imave via NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research invites formal and informal educators to participate in a webinar to introduce educational resources developed for an ocean exploration mission to deepwater canyons off the mid-Atlantic coast aboard the NOAA Ship Ron Brown.  From April 30 – May 19, scientists will be using the Jason II remotely operated vehicle to explore the rugged canyon walls of Norfolk and Baltimore canyons as they seek to understand more about the connectivity of deep-sea canyon organisms, their associated microbiology and food webs, and the physical, chemical and geological conditions associated with each canyon ecosystem. Shipwrecks found in these areas will also be explored.

This 45-minute webinar will provide an introduction to the science behind the expedition, the associated Education Expedition Module, lesson plans, and classroom resources to enable you and your students to participate in the expedition online.

• Title: NOAA Webinar for Educators – Deepwater Canyons 2013: Pathways to the Abyss Expedition
• Date: Thursday, April 18, 2013
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/115300850

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Questions? Contact Susan Haynes, susan.haynes@noaa.gov.
Technical assistance contact Tony Cao, tony.cao@noaa.gov.

System Requirements

• PC-based attendees required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Mac®-based attendees required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer
• Mobile attendees required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

Research indicates that 77% of teachers believe using technology in the classroom increases student motivation to learn, while 75% of 1,900 surveyed educators said students who spend regular time outdoors tend to be more creative and better problem-solvers. Click the image to view the complete, downloadable infographic, Tech & Our Planet, for more stats!

As the weather begins to warm, thoughts turn to outdoor activities. Fortunately, there are many ways to take classroom learning outdoors – sometimes in unexpected ways.

Join National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) for Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors, April 14-20, 2013 and explore how technology can enhance environmental learning both inside and outside the classroom.  Hosted by the National Environmental Education Foundation, EE Week is the nation’s largest celebration of environmental education held each year the week before Earth Day and inspires environmental learning and stewardship.

In 2012, EE Week kicked off a multi-year Greening STEM initiative on the important role the environment plays in engaging students in STEM learning and helping them solve 21st century challenges.  The environment provides a gateway to STEM learning through hands-on, real-world projects on topics like energy efficiency and resource conservation that incorporate all four pillars of STEM. For instance, David Munson, Education Director at Project Noah noted that digital tools and other technologies can draw students “into the landscape – into their communities – and can provide an important bridge between the familiarity of the digital world and the discoveries that wait for them in nature.”

Research indicates that 77% of teachers believe using technology in the classroom increases student motivation to learn, while 75% of 1,900 surveyed educators said students who spend regular time outdoors tend to be more creative and better problem-solvers.

Coming up for EE Week

Stay tuned for details about an upcoming EE Week Google+ Hangout which will provide teachers and students from around the country the opportunity to go behind the scenes with meteorologist Dan Satterfield for an interactive presentation on how cutting-edge technologies are being utilized to forecast and understand wild weather. This EE Week offering will be part of a series of biweekly Google+ Hangouts with scientists leading up to Google’s third annual Science Fair.

Educators around the country are encouraged to register free and explore how today’s technology can enhance environmental learning and develop 21^st century skills in creativity, innovation, communication and collaboration.

Connect with EE Week on Facebook and Twitter to stay posted.

Youth raking the roadside on National Public Lands Day. Image: NEEF

Everyone knows of an amazing environmental educator or youth who’s inspiring work so often goes unrecognized. How can we call out their exemplary work?

Finding funding can be a real challenge for formal and informal educators.  Where can they start searching for grants, and what should they search for?

Get creative! Look for ways to integrate environmental education and award recognition  with “hot topics” such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).  Find ways to connect environmental learning to arts education and reading programs.

To kick-start your search, we here at Bay Backpack have assembled a list of grants and award programs that you might be interested in.  The programs included in this list have application deadlines this April. Check them out below, and good luck with your proposals, nominations, and applications!

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching 7-12th Grade

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the Nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. The 2013 Awards will honor math and science teachers working in grades 7-12. Nominations are due by April 1, 2013, and teacher applications are due by May 1, 2013.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species 2013 Request for Proposals

The mission of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species (MAP) is to assist state and federal agencies and other stakeholders in developing and implementing strategic, coordinated, and action-oriented approaches to preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species in the mid-Atlantic region. This year, one of MAP’s big focuses for grant funding is on education (developing programs and curricula about aquatic invasive species or evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs) and behavior change. Proposals are due by April 15, 2013 at 5:00 PM EDT

Farm to School Program Grants

The USDA Food & Nutrition Service is implementing a Farm to School program in order to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. On an annual basis, USDA awards up to $5 million in competitive grants for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs. In this funding round, USDA is soliciting applications for three types of grants: Planning grants, Implementation grants, and Support Service grants.  Proposals are due at midnight EST, April 24, 2013.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

Each year, the Barron Prize honors twenty-five outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. The top ten winners each receive a $2,500 cash award to support their service work or higher education. The primary goal of the Prize is to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.  Nominate a young hero by April 30, 2013.

Every Day Capacity Building Grants

Our nation’s public lands need our support every day. The National Environmental Education Foundation, with generous support from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., seeks to strengthen nonprofit organizations whose missions are focused on serving public land. The Every Day Capacity Building Grants provide Friends Groups with grant funds of up to $5,000 to help the Friends Groups build their capacity to serve public lands. Summer cycle grant proposals are due by April 30, 2013.

Arts, Culture & Design in Schools Grant

Supporting programs that bring the arts to school kids helps expand their horizons and stay on track for a brighter future. A well-rounded education includes music, art, dance and drama, and allows kids to express themselves creatively. Through grants, Target is helping schools bring more arts and culture into the classroom.  Each Arts, Culture & Design in Schools Grant is $2,000. Grant applications are accepted between March 1 and April 30 each year.

Early Childhood Reading Grants

Target is helping kids across the nation get a head start on reading. Reading makes a world of difference in learning. That’s why Target award grants to schools, libraries and non-profit organizations that support programs like after-school reading events and weekend book clubs. Each Early Childhood Reading Grant is $2,000. Grant applications are accepted between March 1 and April 30 each year.

The Three T’s of Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools (EPA)

April 3, 2013 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Young children are at particular risk for lead exposure. To assist with implementation of programs and policies to reduce lead in drinking water at school and child care facilities, EPA uses the 3Ts concept: Training, Testing, Telling,  each of which is an important component of a successful lead reduction program. This webinar will cover how to implement a 3T program in your school or child care facility. Register here!

21st Century Tools for Environmental Learning in the Community (NEEF & Green Teacher)

April 3, 2013 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Learn how to turn student engagement in media & technology tools into a powerful venue for learning. Get to know the Island Institute & their strategies for integrating & applying technology with community-based environmental education programs. Learn how to apply these strategies in your classroom to engage students in hands-on environmental learning through the application of 21st century skills and knowledge. Register here!

Pathways to Green Jobs and Careers in Natural Resources (USDA)

April 10, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Are you prepared to enter into a meaningful green career? With record numbers of people out of work, the prospect of an emerging green economy is increasingly viewed as the light at end of a tunnel.  This webinar will feature high level participation from the USDA, experts in this emerging realm along with Green Team students who aspire to embrace Green jobs as a career pursuit. Register here!

Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors (NEEF & EPA)

April 16, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. On this webinar, participants will explore how technology can enhance environmental learning both inside and outside the classroom. EE Week will highlight the growing opportunity to engage today’s students in learning about the environment with new technologies that enable scientific research and develop 21st century skills, including creativity, innovation, communication and collaboration. Register here!

Water, Exploration, and the Future (NASA)
	April 17, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Discover all the ways NASA is learning about water here on earth and in Space. No registration necessary. Log on here!

GreenSchool and STEM (USFS & PLT)
	April 27, 2013 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, parent or student Green Team member, this webinar will demonstrate how STEM can be seamlessly integrated into the school curriculum using the US Forest Service /Project Learning Tree GreenSchools! Investigations and grant program as a model for schools. Register here!

For more information on the Green Strides Webinar Series, upcoming webinars, and past webinar recordings, please visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/webinar.html