For January's Observer, we asked for submissions related to ways indoor spaces support learning about the environment and time tested ways to bring the outdoors inside during the colder months. We hope you find a little inspiration for looking inward-- and getting outside-- in the winter months.  You'll also find a preview for the 2012 MEES conference.  If you enjoy this edition of the Observer, look for our next newsletter, Refreshing Reflections, which will take a look back at what we learned from the 2012 conference and ways we revitalize our work in the spring, and will be available in April. Or better yet, write a short article to contribute to the Observer!

Featured Articles

Exploring the Outdoors When No One Wants to be Outdoors, By Cynthia Menard

We've all been there - as educators, parents/guardians or in some way in charge of youth, we've experienced those days when absolutely no one wants to be outside. The wind chill is below 10°, or it's storming, or just too dreary, cold or wet to accomplish any successful learning/exploration. But you're in the position of wanting - or needing - to help your charges learn about the outdoors. So what do you do?

There are a myriad of games and "Project" (WET, WILD, PLT) activities out there to help you, but what if you want your participants to have a more direct experience? Then bring them over to the computer (a projector helps if you're in the classroom) and take them on a tour of the natural world that has the potential to be engaging and fun while sneaking in some learning along the way!

There are loads of web resources that can transport audiences to some amazing (and not-so-far-away) places. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a wealth of educational resources, many of which can be used while sitting in front of a screen*. I particularly like the nest and field cams they give visitors access to; who doesn't enjoy getting to know a wild animal on a personal level? The amount of empathy that that brings out in children is amazing. I viewed a bunch of them (the inactive ones are archived) to get a sense of what you might find, and here are some highlights you can find at http://birds.cornell.edu.

• A gull hatching out of an egg

• A Marsh wren building a nest

• Pooping baby chickadees (yes, really)

• Nesting great-horned owls calling to each other

• Peregrine falcon hanging out on a skyscraper

The LA County office of Education has an amazing resource page for taking "trips" to a variety of ecosystems - from kelp forests, to Antarctica, to a historical tour of planet Earth. Not at all sure what those places have to do with LA but they’re pretty neat.

The USGS has an interesting site where you can take virtual tours of South Florida's numerous parks and ecosystems (not quite as dynamic as the one above, but interesting in its own right). The Everglades are an amazing and unique ecosystem for exploration.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has their own YouTube page (should I be surprised?) of videos from natural places around the state. My personal favorite was the fisher den .

In the short few searches I did (I Googled "virtual tour ecosystem", "virtual tour", "wildlife cam" and "virtual farm tour" just for starters) I was pleased at the wealth of resources I was quickly able to find. Not surprisingly, YouTube has a bunch of fun places to visit (I found a farmer's wife who uploaded well-made videos of a working dairy - El-Vi Farm) and is a site most kids are familiar with and can navigate with ease.

One last suggestion: citizen science projects are a great way to get people of all ages participating in important scientific research, and most of the time the training needed to participate is minimal and sometimes nil. While much of the leg-work these projects require is outdoors, indoor time can be spent checking up on the project and getting a sense of how your contributions are helping. Good luck and happy exploring!

*A note on screens: while I'm not a big fan of 'screen time' (my goal is to get people connecting with the outdoors in the most direct ways possible) I do recognize the terrific educational opportunities computers can afford. And as the mother of 2 boys, I also recognize how drawn kids are to computers (or any screen) and harnessing that enthusiasm is a good way to sneak in some learning.

Further resources:

http://www.virtualfreesites.com/museums.html

http://www.agclassroom.org/kids/tours.htm

http://www.thewildlifecam.com/

Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Citizen Science Page: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/page.aspx?pid=1664&ac=ac

Firefly Watch Citizen Science Project: https://www.mos.org/fireflywatch/

Journey North Citizen Science Project: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

About the author: Cynthia Menard works as an independent naturalist through her business – Withywindle Nature Programs. She sits on the Board of Directors for MEES and is the Vice President for the New England Environmental Education Society board (NEEEA). You can find more of her writing at her blog:http://www.withywindlenature.com/blog.

Learning Stations Help a Lesson in Green Cleaning Come Alive, By M. Rynne Peterson

Students learn best when they are actively engaged and excited about learning. No one knows that better than Cleaning Coach, Leslie Reichert, a nationally-recognized green expert dedicated to educating people on how to clean green. Leslie, in association with Green 4 My School, has been reaching a younger audience, teaching children a very memorable science lesson in green cleaning. “Kids just love it. They are the best. They are so excited about the lesson and excited about green, both environmentally as well as for themselves”.

Students learn about the history of cleaning, the dangers of chemicals to human health and the environment, and about safer cleaning substitutes made from both old fashion recipes and new technology. After the presentation, Leslie relies on learning stations to make the lesson come alive and engage students through self discovery and hands-on learning. At a history center, students find books and old photographs and are able to hold a vintage carpet beater, an ostrich feather duster and hand-pumped vacuum cleaner from the early 1900s. Moving into the modern era, students test and discover how E-cloths (made from a new technology) clean dirt, smudges & grease from surfaces with just water. And then students proceed to make a natural cleaning scrub by mixing baking soda, borax and salt, and then package it to use at home.

According to 7th grade student Grace Haley, “Cleaning can be fun, and we are doing something good helping the environment.” A lesson in green cleaning develops critical thinking and decision making skills, a crucial step towards forming attitudes that will lead the next generation to work for a more sustainable future. It can be implemented at all grade levels and is enhanced through age appropriate learning centers. For example, students could make posters and create advertisements promoting green cleaning at an Art Center, or at a computer station students could research and write letters to Kimberly-Clark urging them to stop manufacturing products from trees instead of from recycled fiber. A media center could inspire students to make TV commercials or public service announcements about green cleaning.

Green 4 My School offers educational resources, flexible programs and E-cloth® fundraising products which raise awareness and nudge people into making greener choices, while earning 40% profit for the school. A complimentary green cleaning lesson plan is a fun and rewarding way to integrate what is being taught in the classroom with the fundraising process, and help children understand the importance of their actions. Every day, everyone has the power to make a difference through the choices we make... in what we do, what we use and what we buy.

For more information contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visit www.green4myschool.com

Streakless: learn & earn window challenge

Materials
Set up work station(s) with ingredients to make a few homemade window cleaners from natural ingredients. With younger children, select a couple volunteers to help make each recipe in front of the class and do the activity together.
• Empty Spray Bottles
• Natural cleaning ingredients (water, white vinegar, cornstarch, baking soda, castle soap, club soda, lemon juice, peppermint oil)
• Optional Recipes cards
• Measuring cups
• Rags
• E-cloth glass & polishing cloth (blue)
• Windex & paper towels

Learning Procedure
1. Hold up a bottle of Windex window cleaner, read ingredients on label. talk about potential danger to user and environment. Ask class if it is necessary to clean with chemicals ? Let students know there are green alternatives made from both old fashion recipes and from new technology.
2. Older students can research natural window cleaning recipes in groups or individually.
3. Set up a station with materials & ingredients to make natural window cleaners. Discuss measurements and how to follow directions and select volunteers to make each recipe.
4. Divide class into groups to test natural cleaners; E-cloth & water; and Windex & paper towels. Assign each group the task of cleaning classroom windows. For younger grades this may be an activity for the entire class. Observe, compare, and record results. Share results with classmates.
Discuss health risks, environmental impact of using paper towels vs reusable E-cloth or rags as well as cost and cleaning effectiveness.
5. Follow-up the activity with an E-cloth fundraiser. Students will strengthen their communication skills by informing families and friends about the benefits of green cleaning. They will also learn life skills and social responsibility while raising money for their school and helping the planet. Schools
earn 40% profit and since fundraising tasks are handled by us, students need only spread the word about their E-cloth fundraiser and about safer healthier ways to clean.

Extended learning
Design labels for homemade window sprays. Create advertising for safer alternatives and E-cloth school fundraiser. Display posters and flyers at school, local library, or town hall.

Host a Green Cleaning Fair

Contact Kimberly-Clark and urge to stop manufacturing the majority of its disposable tissue products from freshly cut trees instead of from recycled fiber.

Have the Cleaning Coach teach a class or PTA workshop via Skype

Sources
Toxics In My Home? You Bet!; Teaching Toxics; A-Way With Waste; Is There a Safer Alternative?

For a complete lesson plan with 5 window cleaning recipes, background information, parent letter, free e-cloth sample and more, register online at www.green4myschool.com

Or for more information contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Green 4 My School is an educational online fundraising program. No order forms, money collections, or product deliveries for schools to worry about. E-cloth ships free directly to the customer! There's no minimum purchase requirements, and no risk. Schools earn 40% profit and since fundraising tasks are handled by us, students need only spread the word about their E-cloth fundraiser and about safer healthier ways to clean.
© GREEN 4 MY SCHOOL.COM

2012 MEES Conference Preview

The conference, Refresh: New Tools and Techniques for Today's Educator, is on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at College of the Holy Cross, Hogan Campus Center, Worcester, MA.    

Workshops at the 2012 conference will share ideas for revitializing our education practice and the systems we use to promote environmental education. Resources wil include tools to promote positive environmental education with a wide variety of audiences in fresh, timely, and inspiring ways across the state.  You can expect a wonderful range of new ideas and opportunties ot learn from success stories and seasoned professionals in the field. Take a look at some themes for this year's conference, and read detailed descriptiosn about each workshop in our brochure, here.

DESIGN
B3 Lush Habitats: Schoolyard Design to Engage Children with MA Learning Standards
C3 The Green Dollhouse Challenge
B2 What Can You Learn By Observing? Using the Outdoors to Help Us Learn More Indoors

BIG IDEAS IN ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION
A1 Cultivating Conservationists
B1 Reflect and Refresh: Keeping YOU and Your Audience Engaged in Invasive Species Detection
D3 Cultivating Conservationists- Using Farms to Teach Sustainability
C1 Big Ideas of Sustainability
D1 Environmental Literacy Plan
A10 Environmental Literacy Plans: Why, Where, How
D6 Diversity & Inclusion in Environmental Education: A Pragmatic Approach

USING TECHNOLOGY
A5 Air Quality: STEM Digital Project for Measuring Ozone in Your Environment
Bug Watch: One KEY to Watershed Education
B6 Using Technology for Ocean Education
A7 Developing a Website and Online Resources for Educators
C2 Computer Game Play to Enhance Learning
C8 The Digital Bird Watcher – New Tools for Building Fundamental Skills

TRIED AND TRUE TECHNIQUES
C4 The Sweet Art Of Maple Syrup
D4 Naturalist Program
A4 Ultimate Treasure Hunts and Orienteering For Schools
A6 Bark: Get to Know your Trees
B7 Using the River as a Classroom to Nurture Watershed Stewards
A8 WindWise Education and The KidWind Challenge
B9 Teambuilding and Cooperative Games – Implementing Experiential Education Practices into Environmental Education
B10 Curious to Learn: A Naturalist Round Table
D5 How Do We Get Kids Back Outdoors-and Curious
D7 Greening Your Cleaning -with kids
C7 Organizing Environmental Events at Schools

SERVICE LEARNING & CITIZEN SCIENCE
B8 Waste Watchers- An Evolving Environmental Service Learning Project
D2 Citizen Science, Saving the World One Frog at a Time
B4 This is MYCity - Letting Students Lead
C6 Firefly Watch: A Ready-made Citizen Science Project for your Organization

STORIES & GAMES TO LEARN
A2 "Turtle's New Home," a Wetlands Puppet Show
A9 Close Encounters of the Natural Kind
B5 Wooing and Wowing with Stories
C5 Learning About the Interconnections and Balance of Climate Change Through Games

SUPPORTING PROGRAMS
C9 Finding and Obtaining EE Program Resources
C10 Let’s Get Outside: Lessons from the first few months of a Toyota Tapestry Grant

Register soon for the 2012 MEES Conference!

NEEEA JOB POSTING

The Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) and the New England Environmental Education Alliance (NEEEA) seek a Projects Coordinator to support the work of both the MEEA and NEEEA Boards of Directors.  The purpose of this contract position is to efficiently manage specific capacity-building projects for these growing state and regional nonprofit associations, coordinate efforts to implement the Environmental Literacy Plans of the six New England states, and build membership, participation and collaboration through marketing and communication.  This position will receive direction from the MEEA/NEEEA Administration Committee.  This five-person committee will consist of the president of each organization, the vice-president or president elect of each organization respectively, as well as the MEEA/NEEEA treasurer.  The position reports directly to the MEEA or NEEEA president (depending on task). 

THE ORGANIZATIONS: The Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) facilitates and promotes environmental education in Maine through the sharing of ideas, resources, information, and cooperative programs among educators, organizations, and concerned individuals.

The New England Environmental Education Alliance (NEEEA) promotes quality environmental education across New England in partnership with all six New England state environmental education organizations including MEEA. 

Both organizations provide networking and collaboration opportunities across New England through several formats: Hosting state & regional professional development opportunities with an annual conference (spring/MEEA and autumn/NEEEA), as well as training retreats & workshops. Recognizing exemplary environmental educators and programs through annual awards. Providing current EE information and resources through online newsletters, websites (www.meeassociation.org & www.neeea.org), list-serves and affiliation with the North American Association for Environmental Education. Assisting member organizations with board capacity, development and growth.

Both MEEA and NEEEA have growing finances and resources with annual operating budgets of over $50,000 and combined retained earnings of over $54,000.  Both organizations currently have no paid staff and have 14 volunteer Board Directors each, with NEEEA's board comprised of 2 representatives from each of the 6 New England states and their state EE organization— COEAA, RIEEA, MEES, SWEEP, NHEE, MEEA plus a board president and past president. 

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES & COMPETENCIES:

Commitment to environmental education and a vision for helping achieve the missions of MEEA and NEEEA through increased capacity and implementation of state ELPs.
Professional experience (5 years+), preferably in a nonprofit EE organization with a similar or related mission including project management and fundraising.
Computer skills including spreadsheets, database, desktop publishing and the web (must provide own computer).
Enthusiasm for collaboration, creativity, innovation and sustainable growth.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The MEEA/NEEEA Projects Coordinator duties will include:
· Assist state organizations with the creation and implementation of state Environmental Literacy Plans including regional sharing and collaboration.
· Manage grant writing and fundraising projects including foundation and corporate support.
· Assist both boards on their 5-year strategic plans including audience segmentation, needs assessment, appropriate activities and alternative business plans.
· Work with MEEA/NEEEA Treasurer on project finances, accounting and budget reports.
· Maintain and improve MEEA and NEEEA databases, files, archives.
· Manage MEEA and NEEEA websites.
· Manage and implement $150,000 EPA Region 1 Grant (if awarded). 
· Oversee marketing, membership and public relations projects for both organizations.
· Serve as NEEEA liaison to the 6 state organizations and as NAAEE Affiliate liaison.
· Various and sundry duties as they arise. 

ANTICIPATED WORKLOAD:

2,400 hours from April 2, 2012 to December 31, 2013.

Average 30 hours per week:  MEEA ~20 hours and NEEEA ~10 hours per week

The Projects Coordinator is expected to attend MEEA monthly board meetings and NEEEA quarterly meetings, and the MEEA and NEEEA annual conferences.  An additional 10 hours/week is possible dependant on additional funding.  This contract work will be paid on a monthly billable basis.

COMPENSATION:

Contractual position to be paid at $30/hour for a 2012-2013 maximum of 2,400 hours plus an expenses stipend of up to $1,500.  Initial contract is for April 2, 2012 to December 31, 2013.

TO APPLY :

Please submit a cover letter and a current resume to the Projects Coordinator Staffing Committee, c/o Drew Dumsch, Treasurer, MEEA and NEEEA, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (in PDF format, please).  EOE - we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.  Applications will receive priority consideration if received by February 20, 2012; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  April 2, 2012 is the anticipated start date for this position.  Those with questions about the position or search process may contact:

Drew Dumsch, MEEA and NEEEA Treasurer, ph: 207-283-9951 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Ryder Scott, MEEA President, ph: 207-665-2935 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lisa Purcell, NEEEA President, ph: (802) 353-9440 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Stay in Touch with MEES! 

Support MEES on Facebook! Click here to see the MEES Facebook page. Share our page with your friends!

Another way to stay in touch is by using the participant directory. Use this to search for contact information for your colleagues. Use this link to go to the Full Member Directory. 

Check out the Advocacy page for updates on the No Child Left Inside, Environmental Literacy Plan, and other EE movements. 

Next Issue of the Observer:

Refreshing Reflections/Conference Wrap-up - Send articles to Emily at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  by April 1, 2012.