The Teacher’s Quarterly – April 2008

Dear Network, It’s already April and Earth Day is right around the corner. Join us at one of the eight national Earth Day celebrations, or at one of our school greening events in Denver, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Now’s the time for you to register your events for Earth Day 2008! No matter how small, your Earth Day event deserves coverage. Submit your event straight away by clicking here!

Help Top School in the Nation Go Green! EDN has proudly partnered with Climate Change Educator, Amanda Hurowitz, to fundraise for solar panels at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), recently ranked best school in the nation by US News and World Report. Purchasing solar panels is part of the campaign by Amanda and students of the Environmental Impact Club to promote clean energy both at the school and on Capitol Hill. Given the huge vocational opportunities and status as a national model, we believe the best school in the nation should be one of the greenest as well!

Check out the EDN Solar Panel Initiative Web page to learn more. You can help the students accomplish their goal by clicking here

National Environmental Education Week promotes understanding and protection of the natural world by actively engaging K-12th grade students and educators in classrooms, nature centers, zoos, museums, and aquariums nationwide. As an inspired week of environmental learning before Earth Day, EDN is excited to be a national partner of this event, helping to write curricula and spread awareness of environmental education. To learn more, visit www.eeweek.org.

Go Organic for Earth Day! Go Organic! for Earth Day is an award winning project of the Organic Trade Association,MusicMatters and EDN. Our campaign increases awareness of organic products by providing consumers with savings on organic products, as well as valuable information on the benefits of organics. Visit our website to win a Bed & Breakfast Getaway, find a coupon book worth over $20 at a local store, or learn about our upcoming curriculum contest.

“Gorilla in the Greenhouse” Preview Did you know there is a great garbage patch the size of Texas, 30 yards deep, floating in the Pacific Ocean? To find out how it got there and how to get rid of it, watch the debut of “Gorilla in the Greenhouse” on Earth Day TV this April 22nd! Mark your planning calendars now for this awesome new film featuring a visionary green gorilla and four kids who use their imagination, friends, and music to tackle our environmental challenges. EDN is providing fun curriculum to complement the episode, so you can learn and have fun in class for Earth Day

Are you feeling artistic? Design a poster! EDN is excited to be co-sponsoring EnVision 2050, a poster contest for students in grades 6-12. We want to see YOUR vision of tomorrow’s sustainable cities. Winning designers will receive a prize valued at $4,250! Complete rules, judging criterion and teachers resources are available here.

EDN’s Feature Teacher

Mr. Stuart Moody We are proud to recognize Mr. Stuart Moody of San Rafael, California, as the spring 2008 Feature Teacher. Mr. Moody plays an instrumental role in the San Rafael Clean Campaign, giving public presentations to schools, colleges, clubs, and churches and encouraging Marin County stores to eliminate plastic bags. Additionally, Mr. Moody is a founding member of the Green Yoga Association and volunteers with the San Rafael Davidson Middle School Garden project. One supporter stated, “Stuart Moody’s dedication to youth and environmental consciousness-raising is as boundless as his energy and inspiration.” To learn more about our Feature Teachers, click here.

New from the Department Interview with Richard Louv Buy Earth Day 2008 Poster Earth Day TV recently interviewed Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” You can watch the interview here, but be the tenth (10th) person to email your Earth Day event’s info to education@earthday.net, and you will receive a signed copy of the book from Mr. Louv and EDN. National Civic Education Project (NCEP) Web Pages Check our exciting, new NCEP webpages featuring EDN-sponsored teachers working to improve the environmental health of their communities.