At October’s meeting we’ll discuss Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams’ The Book of Hope. All the meeting selections, dates, times, and log in information for all our events are posted on the Planet Stewards upcoming events page. All are Welcome!

Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Video Conference Log In: meet.google.com/mxo-fkqc-owb
Phone Dial In #: (‪US‬) ‪+1 484-641-8305‬
Pin: 732 637 522#‬

In this book, Jane Goodall and Doug Abrams explore one of the most sought-after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. In The Book of Hope, Jane focuses on her "Four Reasons for Hope": The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit.

The Book of Hope touches on vital questions including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? Filled with engaging dialogue and pictures from Jane's storied career, The Book of Hope is a deeply personal conversation with one of the most beloved figures in today's world.

There is still hope, and this book will help guide us to it.

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15, and celebrates the significant contributions of the Latino community throughout American history, dating back to the Revolutionary War. These dates were chosen to acknowledge the independence days of several Central and South American countries, many of which fall between mid-September and early October.

One meaningful way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is by learning more about the history, culture, and achievements of the Hispanic/Latino community. The National Museum of the American Latino website is an excellent resource to begin your exploration.

Additionally, Latino Conservation Week, offers another opportunity for engagement, taking place this year from September 14-22.

These virtual workshops will introduce teachers to free, classroom-ready, NGSS-aligned lessons and storylines, and free professional development to help them connect 6th-12th grade classrooms to the environment. 

September 26: Patterns and Predictions for Climate Change

Participants are introduced to innovative teaching resources that help guide student inquiry through data analysis using an interactive app and free online resources.

October 24: Climate Change, Wildfires, and Yellowstone

Participants are introduced to the growing issue of wildfires and how the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem can be used as the phenomenon that inspires inquiry and connects classroom activities to field experiences. 

November 21: HIPPO, Hexagons, and Classroom Collaboration

This workshop will use EO Wilson’s acronym HIPPO and hexagonal thinking to highlight the links among Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, Human Population Growth, and Overharvesting.

For more information and to register visit the Ecology Project International workshops website.

With funding from the EPA, and facilitated by Connecticut Sea Grant and Mercy University, the Long Island Sound Schools Network supports schools that implement a school or community-based project and create a plan to increase ocean literacy by engaging students, families, and the public.

All K-12 schools in the Long Island Sound watershed in New York and Connecticut are eligible, from inland areas with waterways that flow into the estuary to shoreline communities. Program funding provides stipends for lead teachers at each school and up to $5,000 per school to implement projects. Schools will also have access to a network of educators, connections with scientists, community organizations and stewardship sites, and possible travel funds for conference presentations.

Many resources are available to help you prepare your application, including: 

• A guide to writing a strong application
  
• What constitutes an excellent action project
  
• How to prepare and justify a budget
  
• A budget template
  
• An example budget  
  
• A completed budget spreadsheet

For more information, access to all the resources, and to apply, visit the Long Island Sound School Program website. 

In this presentation, Dr. Maria Ojala describes hope as a complex concept consisting of both emotional and cognitive aspects and as something that could be both constructive and less constructive. She will present different aspects of the hope concept: hope based on denial, existential hope, hope by facing the negative, hope as utopia, pathways to hope, and hope as agency work. Dr. Ojala will also focus on new research on climate change hope as agency work and the implications for climate-change education and communication.

Register for the "Hope and Resilience in the Face of Climate Change" webinar

Throughout fall 2024

Exploring the Deep Ocean with NOAA workshops are being hosted by OER for educators grades 6-12. The workshops are scheduled at 10 Education Alliance Partner sites across the United States this fall. 

Green Schools Campaign, a program of The Climate Reality Project is a youth-led, intergenerational campaign. The Green Schools Campaign is developing the leadership and grassroots organizing of young people to spearhead initiatives to transition their schools and communities to 100% clean energy. Green Schools Campaign is working with students ages 13 and older, as well as teachers who wish to provide support. 

Teams of students and teachers in school districts who are interested in running electrification/clean energy campaigns are welcome, as are those looking for general support and training on doing climate advocacy at their schools. Participants have access to specialized advocacy skill-building workshops and small-group campaign team coaching from Climate Reality staff. Register on the Green Schools Campaign website.

Questions, e-mail: youthprograms@climatereality.com.

The National Geographic Society is asking 13-18 year-olds to join the Slingshot Challenge and submit a 1-minute video describing their idea for solving environmental issues.

By joining the Slingshot Challenge you'll receive educator resources, opportunities to meet with National Geographic Explorers, and regular updates to help your students submit their one-minute video.

Participating in the challenge is simple:

1. Learn more about the Slingshot Challenge — View the challenge resources, download the educator toolkit and learn about past award recipients.
2. Register on the Videos for Change platform — You’ll receive invites to events and be able to follow along with your students' submissions.

The 2025 Science Without Borders Challenge is now open! This year’s theme is “Marine Keystone Species.” Keystone species play a crucial role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy and balanced. To apply for this international art contest, students should submit artwork featuring a keystone species that lives in the ocean, highlighting this creature’s vital role in its marine ecosystem. 

The challenge is open to all students worldwide who are 11-19 years old and enrolled in primary or secondary school (or the home-school equivalent). College and university students are NOT eligible for this contest. Work will be judged in two categories based on age, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded for each:

• Students 11-14 years old
• Students 15-19 years old

Students can win up to $500 in this international art contest.  

For complete details, including rules, age categories, and prize information, visit the official Science Without Borders' Challenge website. 

The National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) has just released its 40th anniversary issue of The Earth Scientist - a quarterly peer reviewed education journal, and made it available to all online. 

This issue focuses on digital literacy & science practices for Pre-K to Grade 5 students. Articles include:

• K-5 Students Need Data Literacy Experiences to be Ready for the Future.
• Incorporating NOAA/AMS Project Atmosphere Teacher Professional Development Course Module Data into the K-5 Science Classroom.
• My Sky Tonight: Early Childhood Pathways to Astronomy.
• Sand Slides
• How’s the Weather at Cottage Lane Elementary?
• Oceans of Plastic, Data and Action

Check out the Earth Scientist issue!

How noise pollution threatens ocean life: This 10-minute video dives into the various animals impacted by ocean sound pollution.

Sound Waves and Ocean Waves: This lesson is geared towards middle school students, though some of the activities and concepts could be great for an introductory lesson surrounding noise in the ocean for high schoolers. Plus, you gotta love the use of the 5E framework! 

NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries Ocean Sound and Impact of Noise Resource Collection Explore a collection of lesson plans, webinars, web stories, videos and more to learn about noise in the ocean and NOAA’s efforts to monitor and understand underwater sound in and its impact on marine life the National Marine Sanctuary System.

Discover how to plan, execute, and conclude effective environmental education activities that will engage and inspire your community with these practical tips and resources. Well-planned activities can deepen understanding and foster a lasting connection with the environment.

Learn more about how to plan an environmental education activity!

Spark critical thinking among students with the Inquiry In Action science lessons from the Van Andel Institute, a Michigan-based group focused on promoting novel approaches to biomedical research and K–12 science education. The flexible, standards-based modules contain five lessons on a single topic (e.g., matter, blizzards, earthquakes, and hurricanes). The lessons are designed to be completed in about 15–30 minutes. Each lesson features a video explaining the science behind an observed phenomena and a four-step lesson plan—Prepare, Engage, Explore, and Reflect—to complete a related activity. The lessons also include information about the relevant Next Generation Science Standards for each grade level (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12) and additional resources to support the activity.

Explore the Inquiry in Action lessons

Mark Goldner, middle level science teacher at Roland Hayes School in Brookline, Massachusetts, and Dr. Julie Brigham-Grette of University of Massachusetts Amherst collaborated to create a series of five short videos about glaciers intended for a middle or high school students. The videos present the beauty and power of glaciers while making connections between North American Ice Age geology and Arctic glaciers. These videos can help students realize that our actions regarding greenhouse gas emissions are affecting the health of glacier systems that impact societies around the globe. These videos provide an effective introduction, reinforcement, or review, of concepts connected to glaciers, glacial geology, climate change, and paleoclimate. The focus on glacial geology centers on New England, but is relevant to any location where the recent Ice Ages left their mark. 

Watch all the glacier videos

This interactive tool guides students through questions about their daily activities and living conditions to provide an estimate of their carbon emissions.

Students can see how their activities affect their footprint by changing their answers to gain insight into actions they can take.

Explore the footprint calculator

National Society of High School Scholars Grants

Application deadline: October 3, 2024

National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) grants are open to teachers, administrators, school social workers, counselors, homeschool educators, and test prep professionals. Register as an NSHSS Educator at no charge and apply for the following grants:

• School Supplies Grant. Fifteen $500 awards
• School Club Cash. Ten $500 awards
• NSHSS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Teaching Grant. Three $1,500 awards
• Higher Education Grant. Four $2,500 awards.

These grants are awarded to help educators achieve their professional development goals, NSHSS is providing grants to help with the costs of tuition and course-related expenses for teachers and counselors who are enrolling in university courses in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

NSHSS Educator of the Year Awards

Application Deadline: November 5, 2024

One top award of $5,000, and nine finalist awards of $1,000These awards are presented annually to exemplary educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success in college and in life. Awardees model best practices in teaching or administration inside and outside of the classroom, are peer role models, and demonstrate outstanding leadership and excellence in education.

This nationwide competition empowers public school students in grades 6–12 to develop innovative solutions that address pressing local issues in their communities. Public school teachers in grades 6–12 can apply to submit their students’ projects for a chance at winning their school $100,000 in Samsung tech products and classroom materials. 

Just by applying, teachers will receive free professional development opportunities, and get free professional development tools. At every level of the contest, teachers are eligible to win thousands of dollars in classroom resources.

Educators don’t have to be STEM teachers to apply: History, Arts,  and Physical Education teachers, coaches, and administrators from public schools are all welcome. 

Visit the Samsung solve for tomorrow website to learn more and apply.

Applications are open for the SeedMoney Challenge, a 30-day crowdgranting competition open to public food garden projects of nonprofit groups, including schools. No previous online fundraising experience is needed. The SeedMoney Challenge can help your project raise the funds it needs to flourish. Participating projects receive 100% (i.e., 0% fees) of what they raise, whether they reach their funding goal or not. In addition to the funds they raise, projects compete for 432 grants ranging from $100 to $1,000. The more a project raises, the larger the grant it qualifies to receive.

Apply for the SeedMoney Challenge Today!