Events & views - September 2009

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Back to School: September 2009 Newsletter

• The Year in Review... Ahead of Time
• School Services Update
• EcoCenter Update
• Education and Training News
• Katie's Kit Notes
• Passport to Adventure
• EV2 is set to Launch in September
• Who's News: Meet Ellen Turbow
• EV Snapshots
• Adopt-an-EV
• Community Events

What’s New?

EcoCenter Phase 1 – As I write this, the finishing paint touches are being added to the EcoCenter. The windows are restored; the building is high and dry; and, new doors and roof ensure the building is safe. We have succeeded in completing Phase 1. We saved the building and it again looks like a somewhat quirky, somewhat stately boat. And though we are frustrated by the impacts of the economy and the need to pause construction for a while, we are celebrating this success.

Leading Innovation in Science Education – For the past five years we have managed a collaboration project in East Palo Alto and Alviso that delivers large blocks of science education to schools by leveraging the collaborative work of multiple peer organizations. We invented and tested a concept called ‘educating for depth’. The core idea is to provide multiple and consecutive science programs and field study opportunities to classrooms so that students receive reinforcing educational opportunities. Having hit a home run with this approach, we are scaling it in two ways so as to increase our impact:

Educate For Depth – We are changing our own delivery model and giving preferential registration to schools that commit to our programs over multiple years for consecutive grade levels. For example, we ask that schools commit to EV programs for the 3rd and 4th grades over two years thus creating a ‘continuum of learning’. This program is wildly popular with teachers, schools, and our funders. Fully half of our programs will be delivered to schools participating in this approach.

Science By Nature ­ We are now ready to launch a new website called Science by Nature that will allow many more teachers throughout the region to embrace ‘educating for depth’. Teachers will search this new website for reinforcing programs delivered by multiple organizations (eg, the EV Marine Ecology classroom program followed by Marine Science Institute’s  Discovery Voyage). We now collaborate with 12 organizations and we expect to facilitate hundreds of hours of science education in dozens of schools. Stay tuned for more information about this project.

Kit Renovation – We are in the middle of a 2-year plan to reinvigorate and refurbish all 280 learning kits. By now you will begin to see kits that look new, offer fresh materials, and scripts with resource materials that are better organized.

You Know What Isn’t New?

Despite all the exciting changes, what remains the same is our commitment to inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s environmental stewards. And it is because of your dedication and passion that we meet our mission. Last year we set an EV record for the 21st century: 12,131 students participated in our programs. All because of you. So thanks for being the anchor in our very dynamic boat. As we set sail for year 38, I hope you have the best students ever; the most fun teaching; and may you see lots of flora and fauna that soothes your soul.

Summer is over and a new school year is about to start! Are we all ready for this new school year? This will be our 38th year serving children all over the Bay Area. Please pat yourself on the back for being part of this great organization- Environmental Volunteers!

Last Year

We had an excellent 2008-2009 school year thanks to all of you! We did more than 530 services and reached more than 12,000 students. Yeah!! Thanks to Carole and Nina for all their support while I was away. They are keepers! They will continue to be Area Coordinators this year too. Yeah again!!

This Year

As always, we were fully booked in the first 4 hours of opening our online sign up. This year we have accepted 316 teachers counting Educate for Depth and Non Educate for Depth teachers. We are saving some spots for teachers who want to participate in our new Science by Nature initiative. Counting everybody, we hope to deliver this year around 570 services including around 390 classroom services and 180 field trips. I think we can do it! We have a large pool of new graduates, former EVs, and interns ready to start teaching. We also have a about 60 teachers on our wait-list. We will invite them to participate in our Science by Nature initiative and that way we hope to serve some of them. So, let's gather on September 10th at the Fall Picnic to kick off this school year and start signing you up for services. ;)

Fall Picnic

Come one! Come all! To the Fall EV picnic.  We are kicking off our 38th school year with our traditional potluck picnic.  This year’s picnic will be at the Palo Alto Baylands so everyone can see the EcoCenter now that Phase 1 of construction is complete.  The picnic will also serve as the September area meetings.  We’ve got to get those first services scheduled!

Please be sure to RSVP to Sue.

When: September 10, 2009 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Palo Alto Baylands – picnic tables across the street from the EcoCenter

What to Bring: A dish for 8 to share, your calendar for the area meetings

Fall Training Schedule

Just as some schools have already started their school year, we have already started our fall trainings.  As always, any volunteer with up-to-date paperwork, including dues and TB tests, may drop in for any training class.  We only ask that you RSVP to Brittany so if there are last minute changes to the agenda, she can make sure you are informed.

Our current training class is Living in California (Classroom Module)

This course covers four of our nine subject areas: Earthquake Geology; Water Science & Conservation; Early California Indian Life: an Environmental Focus; and Energy & Natural Resources.

Current Session:

South Bay EV office

Wednesdays 9:00am-1:30pm

August 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

For more information about additional training classes this fall, including Explorations in Ecology from the Peninsula office, or the Field Trip course, click here: http://evols.org/training.htm

Kit Renovation Project: Update

As you may know, a little over a year ago we began a two-year project to completely renovate all of our kits. As part of this process, committees have been formed to look over each subject area. Each committee has included both Peninsula and South Bay volunteers with a lot of experience with that subject area. The committees have looked at each kit and made recommendations about what is to be done. Scripts are being updated to be clearer and to reflect the best techniques you use in the classroom. This will allow new EVs to benefit from the experience of those of you who have done a kit for years. Some are being reworked so that they are easier to transport and set up. Some are being reworked so that they can be done in the time we have in the classroom. Some are being updated to include more current science. Some of our kits have not been used in years and will be dismantled to create more shelf space and make things easier to find. This review process will be complete by the end of the calendar year and then we will be seeking volunteers to help make the improvements.

Some of these changes have already begun. You may have noticed new checkout cards and color coding. Look for trainings this fall on some of the changes to the Forest and Foothill kits. The labels on the kits are being changed to be easier to read and easier to find. The plexiglass boxes have been replaced so they are no longer cracked. We are pursuing a donation of new bags with the new logo and replacing the bags that have been written all over. The Materials Forms have been redone to include a place for staff to respond - so you know what we are doing to fix whatever is wrong with a kit.

I will continue to post "Katie's Kit Notes" regularly to keep you updated on some of our bigger changes. In the meantime, we ask for your patience with our ongoing changes. By next school year we will have nicer looking, easier to carry, easier to use kits!

Environmental Volunteers

presents

Nature Science:  Passport to Adventure

WHEN:    Sunday October 11, 1-4 pm

WHERE:  Picchetti Ranch and Open Space (near Stevens Creek reservoir)

WHAT:    We have invited children to bring their parents for a fun-filled afternoon at Picchetti Ranch Open Space. Everyone will have a chance to try some of our best-loved kits, go on a short guided walk, and of course learn more about the Environmental Volunteers. 

WHO:      Families at six of our busiest schools – Collins, Eaton, Lincoln, Bishop, Cherry Chase, and Cumberland

WHY:      We want to introduce the EV to the parents of children we already serve.  We want these parents to consider donating or becoming docents – or both!  And we LOVE the idea of getting families out to their local Open Space!

What we need from our hard working EVs:  We always need help for events like this – before and afterward, as well as on the day of the event. 

Please contact Frosty Krieger if you are interested in helping with this fun event:

Phone: 408-828-1723

Email:  frosty.krieger@yahoo.com

Environmental Volunteers announces the launch of EV2 (EVents for EV), a group focused on planning and delivering major events in support of the EV. The introductory meeting will be on September 16, 5-7 PM with wine and hors d’oeuvres at the home of Sally Tomlinson in Palo Alto. Parties? Lectures? Hikes? Picnics? What will it be? Help set the long-range vision and put creative ideas into action. Please contact Sally for more information or to let her know you will attend at stomlinson@tomlinsonmail.com, or 650-321-6590.

Ellen grew up in the Los Angeles area, went to Stanford University, and, as she puts it, “I never went back!” She and her husband Mike, a retired physician, have 2 sons, who live in the area, and 2 grandchildren. Ellen began her professional life as a high school English teacher, but decided, after several years, that it wasn’t her cup of tea. She also worked for a time in the Community Action Program (part of the Great Society program’s War on Poverty) where she became interested in the law.

              As far as avocations go, travel is an abiding interest for Ellen. She and Mike’s trips have taken them to diverse parts of the globe, including China, India, Morocco, and Myanmar. However, her favorite destination will always be Italy. Ellen also loves to hike, and trekking in the hinterlands is often a part of their travels. Another passion for Ellen is cooking. EVs enjoyed her pasta timbale, a smash hit at the annual meeting. And imagine this: she recently prepared dinner for 24 friends in celebration of Mike’s 70th birthday! Gardening and love of music round out the varied interests of this busy woman. Ellen’s hoping to begin writing short stories again; she’s previously won several prizes in the Palo Alto Weekly’s writing contests.

              Recently, the Turbows played B and B owners, as they entertained winners of their Wild Crush auction item: a few nights at their house in Carmel during the Bach Festival. Thank you, Ellen, for your generosity and commitment!

Below is Ellen's fabulous eggplant pasta dish she brought to the Annual Meeting. Sound delicious? Well, it was!!!

PASTA TIMBALE

• Ingredients: 1 lb (or less) penne pasta, 3-4 globe eggplants, 3-4 cloves garlic, two leeks (white parts only, sliced), 2 cans stewed tomatoes, 1 1/2lb mozzarella (grated), 1 1/2 lb pecorino romano cheese (grated), red pepper flakes, olive oil (all proportions are approximate)
• Cook penne until about 3/4 done (very al dente).
• Slice eggplants lengthwise into about 1/2 “ slices, sprinkle with kosher salt and let drain in colander.
• Rinse and pat dry.  Brush with olive oil on both sides and bake in 400º oven, turning once, until soft.
• Saute leeks in olive oil until soft, add crushed garlic and red pepper flakes.  Add drained and chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.  Add juice from tomatoes and boil down until thickened.  Add tomato sauce to pasta.  Salt and pepper to taste.
• Spray an oven-proof bowl (I use stainless steel) with Pam.  Layer eggplant around bowl lengthwise, overlapping a bit around the rim.  Cover bottom and sides completely.
• Layer pasta, mozzarella, pecorino-romano, more pasta, etc into eggplant-lined bowl.  Fold eggplant overlap over top.
• Bake covered with foil 30 minutes at 400º
• Bake uncovered 30 minutes more.
• Cover with plate, turn upside down, and unmold.

On May 28th , Brittany led a group to Fitzgerald Marine Preserve on a open networking event. The group included EV volunteers, potential volunteers, family and new friends of the EV. Here Brittany and the group are standing around a tide pool. On their excursion, the group spotted a polychaete, sea urchins and a starfish eating chiton.

On July 23, John led a corporate group from Price Waterhouse Coopers on a Invasive Plant Pulling Project at Byxbee Park in the Palo Alto Baylands. Here is group shot of the great volunteers. This was one of several PWC community service projects being held throughout the Bay Area for their theme of "youth education."

Q: What do these people have in common?
Scat-Master Bob (who never misses an opportunity to teach his students about the food chain)
Semperviren Sandy (for whom every forest hike is a "treet")
Betty the Bay Babe (her students come out of their shells at the mudflats).
Banana Slug Sue (always travels the yellow slick road)

A: They are all adoptable EV's in our Adopt-An-EV Teach-a-Thon.

EV's donate so much time and teach so many students. We bet your friends and family don’t know the environmental heroes that you are. We are launching the Adopt-an-EV Teach-a-Thon Campaign so your friends and family can applaud your great work while helping to support the Environmental Volunteers.

Invite your friends and family to sponsor you based on the number of children or hours you will teach from September to December 15, 2009. We will track your service hours and the number of children you teach. At the end of December, we will inform your sponsors and they can send in their pledge.

Not planning on teaching much this semester? Your friends and family can ‘adopt’ an EV of their choosing.
Scat-Master Bob, Semperviren Sandy, Betty the Bay Babe and Banana Slug Sue are all ‘up for adoption’.

Stay tuned. More information and pledge sheets will be coming your way.

Here are events in the community that we thought you might want to attend:

"Nature, Creativity and Health," an Evening with Richard Louv

Friday, September 25, 7:30-9 pm

Foothill College -Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills;

Cost: $10

A talk by Richard Louv highlights a "Let's Play Outside" campaign in the Bay Area. Richard Louv is a futurist and journalist focused on family, nature and community. For more information visit the Children in Nature Callaborative page here.

"Our Ohlone Ancestors: Wisdom From the Past," with Mark Hylkema

Monday, September 14th, 7:00pm

Conexions Center, Palo Alto

Pre-registration is $15; $10 for Conexions members, and $20 for families. Door price is $20 per person.

Mark HUlkema is a Peninsula native, is a State archaeologist with 29 years experience in California archaeology and Native American culture.

To register, contact Laurel Smith at lsmith@exploringsenseofplace.org, or you can also register online at www.exploringsenseofplace.org.