Greetings from SEEK!
Summer is full of professional development opportunities - workshops, courses, webinars, and conferences. Take some time for yourself to learn, rejuvinate, and network with other EE professionals. Visit the SEEK Calendar to learn about upcoming environmental education events.
Don't forget to check SEEK's Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer pages!
In this issue:
 North House Folk School is situated on Lake Superior in Grand Marais and includes two historic buildings and multiple timbered classrooms. Our mission is to enrich lives and build community by teaching traditional northern crafts in a student-centered learning environment that inspires the hands, the heart and the mind. Year-round courses exploring nineteen different themes feature the collective talents of 100-plus regional artisans. Workshops range in length from 4 hours to two weeks.
Join us for a workshop, signature event, or thematic learning weekends. Upcoming events include the North Shore Dragon Boat Festival (July), Unplugged Festival & Folk Artisan Marketplace (September) and Winterer's Gathering & Arctic Film Festival (November).
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July:
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July 5: Science Saturday: Ladybug! Ladybug! Fly Away Home will be held at Soudan Underground Mine State Park
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July 8-10: Workshop for Projects WET, WILD, and Learning Tree for grade 7-12 teachers will be held at Vermilion Community College in Ely
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July 14-17: Workshop: Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom will be held at Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls
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July 14-18: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Northwoods, Great Lakes will be held at the Cloquet Forestry Center
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July 20: Lake Superior Day
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July 21-25: Course: Ecology & Earth Systems Dynamics for Educators will be held at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel
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July 24: Dragon Fly Educator Workshop: Giving Roots to your STEM will be held at Whitewater State Park in Altura
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July 25: Moths at Midnight will be held at Prairie Wetlands Learning Center in Fergus Falls
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July 28-30: Free Workshop for Educators: 2014 Mississippi River Institute will be held in Saint Paul
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July 28-August 1: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Northwoods, Great Lakes will be held at Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center in Duluth
Visit the SEEK Calendar for more information.
 Call for Presentations for the Minnesota Naturalists' Association (MNA) Conference - Deadline: August 30th
The 2014 MNA Conference: Plugging into Nature will be held November 21 - 23 at the Audubon Center of the North Woods in Sandstone. The conference is an annual gathering of naturalists, interpreters, environmental educators, administrators, teachers, volunteers, and interns! Please consider sharing your knowledge by presenting at this conference. We're looking for outdoor programs, panel discussions, debates, hands-on learning, tricks of the trade and much more.
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The Green Schoolyard Movement: Gaining Momentum Around the World - Part 1
Most school grounds look the same, with very little variation to reflect unique aspects of each school community, the neighborhood's ecological or geographic context, or teachers' preferred curricula. Children are masters at reading the "hidden curriculum" of school grounds, and understand the value adults place on them through the level of care given to their surroundings. The messages most traditional schoolyards send children about their place in the world is not reassuring-particularly in our cities where many school sites are filled with asphalt and are home to very few living things. A green schoolyard movement is gaining momentum around the globe and has the potential to improve the lives of every child, every day.
The Green Schoolyard Movement: Gaining Momentum Around the World - Part 2
Green schoolyards bring nature back to cities and suburbs by transforming barren asphalt and ordinary grass into vibrant environments for learning and play, set within the context of the rich, local ecosystems that nurture wildlife and the natural processes that underlie and sustain our urban infrastructure. Green schoolyards foster children's social, physical, and intellectual growth and health by providing settings for curiosity, collaboration, imagination, exploration, adventure, and wonder.
Great Outdoors Month 2014 will be celebrated through July 4th
Bolstered by proclamations from the President and all 50 governors, National Great Outdoors Month (GO Month) 2014 -- Memorial Day weekend through Independence Day on July 4 -- celebrates everything great about America's abundant outdoor recreation resources while highlighting Americans' passion for the outdoors and calling for a re-dedication to conservation efforts and volunteerism. GO Month includes events ranging from American Hiking Society's National Trails Day to National Marina Day, National Get Outdoors Day, and the National Wildlife Federation's Great American Backyard Camp-Out.
 Kids Ages 6-12 Enter to win the Backyard Game of the Year Contest - Deadline: July 3
The Children & Nature Network and CLIF Kid are partnering for the annual CLIF Kid Backyard Game of the Year Contest. Their goal for the contest is to inspire kids to balance screen time with creative play in nature. Kids ages 6 - 12 are invited to invent their very own backyard game idea for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship. The top three games based on judging criteria (including creativity, uniqueness and likelihood the game was created by a kid) will be shared on the CLIF Kid Facebook page for fans to vote on the winner.
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Enter the 2014 National Wildlife Photo Contest - Deadline: July 14
Photographers of all skill levels ages 13 and up are invited to enter the 43rd annual National Wildlife Photo Contest. Upload your nature or wildlife photos today and enter to win in seven categories, including "Connecting People and Nature" and "Animal Babies". You could see your photo featured in an upcoming issue of National Wildlife magazine, alongside images taken by the world's top nature photographers. Plus you could win a once-in-a-lifetime expense-paid trip for two to photograph polar bears, cash prizes and more.
Free Workshop for Educators: 2014 Rivers Institutes featuring Waters to the Sea
Join us this summer, as Hamline University's Center for Global Environmental Education presents its acclaimed Rivers Institute, a three day field-based professional development opportunity that inspires, educates and prepares 3rd-8th grade teachers to engage students in STEM disciplines through experiential, inquiry-based investigations at local watersheds. The Mississippi River Institute will be held July 28-30.
 Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is offering a Trainee Program - Application Deadline: July 30th
As part of its educational and conservation goals, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory (HRBO) is offering traineeships for undergraduate and graduate college students, and others who are committed to careers consistent with HRBO's mission. HRBO will provide experiential training for one Environmental Education Trainee and one Bird Banding Trainee during the 2014 fall migration season. Both Traineeships will run from the end of August to the beginning of November. Trainee will be provided housing and a stipend of $100 per week.
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You're invited to the 2014 Summer Institute for Climate Change and Energy Education
The Will Steger Foundation's 2014 Summer Institute for Climate Change & Energy Education will be held August 4-6th at the Audubon Center of the North Woods in Sandstone, MN. Integrate STEM content into any subject-area and deepen your ability to teach about energy and climate change with curriculum and experiences from this professional development event. The $125 cost includes two nights lodging, meals, with curriculum and materials.
Now Accepting Nominations for the 2014 Mom on a Mission - Deadline: August 8
Healthy Child Healthy World's Mom on a Mission campaign celebrates inspiring women who have dedicated their lives to creating healthier environments for children. Currently in its sixth year, the program recognizes all that moms do to make the world a better place as women, consumers, professionals, thought leaders, volunteers, and role models for future generations. If you or someone you know is helping to get toxic products off the shelves or educating others on how to raise healthier children, then submit a nomination.
The National Science Teachers Association is Accepting Applications for 2014-2015 New Science Teacher Academy - Deadline: August 22
The New Science Teacher Academy is a professional development initiative created to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. It is geared to second through fifth year middle and high school science teachers. The Academy provides each teacher with a year-long, discipline-specific mentor, web-based content development courses and other resources, membership in the NSTA, and an opportunity to attend the National Conference on Science Education.
Expedition Granted: Win $50,000 for Your Dream Expedition! Deadline: August 31
National Geographic announces Expedition Granted, a nationwide competition to discover the next generation of explorers that will award one person a $50,000 prize to fund the expedition of their dreams. This contest is designed to show that we are all explorers in our own unique way, regardless of how we choose to push boundaries and forge new paths. Exploration is about pushing boundaries and charting new territory, whether it is within the human brain, in space, in the ocean, or in creating a new way of cooking or making music. Record a short video with your idea, upload it, and share it for a chance to win.
 Make A Splash! A Kid's Guide to Protecting Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands
In their book, service learning expert Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A., and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau reveal facts about our waters, their inhabitants, and the threats they face, while presenting inspiring stories of kids in action around the globe and practical tips and ideas for making a difference. Make a Splash! offers a global look at the issues our water planet is facing - trash, pollution, climate change, oil spills - as well as what kids can do, and are already doing, to help. Make a Splash! is the elementary-level counterpart to Kaye and Cousteau's award-winning book Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands.
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 Teaching Great Lakes Science
The Teaching Great Lakes Science website features lessons, activities and data sets focused on various scientific aspects of the Great Lakes. All of the resources are free and may be easily incorporated into formal and informal educational settings. Content is organized into easy-to-navigate modules that allow you to work through a complete module or mix and match based on your needs. Educators can browse by type or resource (i.e., lesson vs. data set), broad-concept topic (i.e., earth science) or by specific topic (i.e., climate change).
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 Gardening Mini Manual
Do It Green! Minnesota in partnership with Robert Mugaas, University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Horticulture, have created this gardening mini manual. If are planning to start a garden or if you already have your own garden, this manual is for you! It covers everything from the benefits of home gardening, the basics of gardening, locating garden spaces, planning your garden, preparing soil, planting, watering, managing weeds and more! The website also includes links to garden clubs and additional resources and information.
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Clean Water Funding - Deadline: July 3
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Clean Water Partnership Program and Clean Water Fund are accepting proposals for grants and loans supporting control of nonpoint source pollution (pollution from indirect sources such as runoff from cropland and developed areas). These proposals provide permanent stormwater treatment by preserving or restoring the site’s natural hydrologic processes through green infrastructure projects such as rain gardens and parking lot redesigns. Eligible applicants include tribes, townships, cities, counties, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, soil and water conservations districts, and joint powers board with township, city or county members.
Environmental Education, School Site Sustainability, Green Chemistry and Design Curriculum Grants - Deadline: July 16
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is soliciting projects for the Fiscal Year 2014-15 Environmental Assistance Grant Program. Applications will be accepted for financial assistance for proposals in nine focus areas including 1. School Site Sustainability and Student Environmental Education and 2. Green Chemistry and Design Curriculum. Grants range between $15,000 and $40,000. Preferred proposals include 1. projects that develop a statewide best practices framework for K-12 schools to advance their building/site sustainability and student environmental education achievement and 2. proposals that support the development of green chemistry and design curricula at secondary and post-secondary institutions.
 Family Travel Forum (FTF) Teen Travel Writing Scholarship 2014 - Deadline: July 27
For 2014, the FTF and the Society of American Travel Writers, a non-profit organization that promotes responsible journalism and encourages the conservation and preservation of travel resources worldwide, are offering scholarships to encourage teens to share travel experiences in words and images. Teens ages 13-18 and attending grades 8-12 as of June 27, 2014 are invited to submit travel blogs that are serious, funny or contemplative, as long as they are informative. The top winners will receive cash awards.
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Merck Family Fund – Deadline: August 1
The goal of the MFF is to restore and protect the natural environment and ensure a healthy planet for generations to come and to strengthen the social fabric and the physical landscape of the urban community. The Urban farming and youth leadership program has three priority areas: Provide high quality leadership development and employment for youth; Support highly productive urban farming projects and increase local access to fresh food; and Engage residents in food access and food security issues in the community.
American Honda Foundation Grants – Deadline: August 1
Grants of $20,000 to $75,000 are provided in the fields of youth education and science education to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and others for programs that benefit youth and scientific educational institutions. The American Honda Foundation supports youth education with a specific focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment.
Toshiba America Foundation Grants - Deadline: August 1
Toshiba America Foundation grants support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers to make their classrooms more exciting and successful for students. Any K-12 teacher in a public or private school in the United States is eligible. Grade 6-12 applications for $5,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis. Grants requests of more than $5,000 are due August 1. Past projects have included biofuels research and water quality testing.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program - Deadline: August 1
The 2015-2016 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program offers teaching, research, or combined teaching/research grants to U.S. faculty and experienced professionals in a wide variety of academic and professional fields - including environmental science. The Fulbright Program, the U.S. Government's flagship international exchange program, is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries".
Home Depot Building Community Impact Grants – Deadline: August 15
Grants up to $5,000, are available to nonprofit organizations, public schools, or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community and/or school. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services.
Patagonia Environmental Grant Program - Deadline: August 31 (if you are applying directly to a retail store, applications are accepted year round)
Patagonia funds only environmental work for projects up to $12,000. We support small, grassroots activist organizations with direct-action agendas, working on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect our environment. We help local groups working to protect local habitat. Projects should be quantifiable, with specific goals, objectives and action plans, and should include measures for evaluating success.
Ramsey County Public Entity Innovation Grant - Deadline: December 31
This program provides financial assistance to public entities to create and implement innovative programs that increase waste reduction and residential recycling efforts, initiate residential organic management programs, expand public space recycling and address bulky waste management. Eligible applicants include municipalities, Independent School Districts, park boards, watershed districts, libraries and other public entities in Ramsey County. Public entities with creative ideas are encouraged to apply!
School Recycling Bin Grant for Ramsey County Schools - Deadline: December 31
This program provides recycling bins and containers to increasing recycling in public K-12 schools in Ramsey County. Benefits from this program include increased opportunities for waste reduction, recycling and organics management in schools. It will also create greater efficiency and potential cost savings for schools by developing a resource management approach to waste and recycling.
SEEK stands for Sharing
Environmental Education Knowledge and is the online home of Minnesota's
environmental education resources.
For further information visit
the SEEK website or Facebook page or contact Colleen Schoenecker,
SEEK Coordinator, at seek.pca@state.mn.us or 651.757.2700 or
800.657.3864
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