Information About Virginia's environment For Students
Discover Water
This is a new interactive site from Project WET that lets kids explore the role of water in their lives.
Natural Leaders Network
This tool kit is a guide for all youth around the world who want to start Natural Leaders action groups or networks. It’s like a road map to figure out how to get started and where to go with your work. It offers some cool ideas and gives examples of how you might build your own Network.
Kid's Science Challenge
This is a nationwide competition funded by the National Science Foundation, for 3rd to 6th graders. Kids learn about four fun scientific fields and then submit a question, problem, or experiment to be solved.The scientific fields are: flavor science, water quality, skateboard engineering, and the search for life in outer space. Winners will visit and collaborate with the scientists and turn their ideas into a reality - and they'll be featured on Pulse of the Planet radio programs, Kids' Science Challenge video podcasts or Dragonfly TV.
The Kids' Science Challenge web site includes downloadable science projects, fun videos, educational games,
and lesson plans for classroom or after-school use that are aligned to National Science Education Standards.
The first 1000 kids to enter the competition will receive free science activity kits. These hands-on kits include a fingerboard (mini-skateboard), water test strips, flavor-tasting strips, and a CD with a secret coded message from "aliens." Complete instructions are included. This is a great opportunity for a group science learningexperience.
As a special incentive for team entries - the group leaders for the next ten team entries will receive a free classroom water testing kit for
additional science learning activities, and each kid on the teams will receive a bonus prize: a Spinz pen -- the latest craze in Japan.
Spinning pens not only write; you can perform all sorts of tricks with them!
Your Environment, Your Choice
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce a new website designed especially for High School students. It provides teens with the information they need to make environmentally sound choices about the products they use, the waste they create, and the environment in which they live. The website encourages teens to reduce, reuse and recycle and become "environmental stewards" by conserving natural resources and saving energy. Useful and teen-friendly tips (e.g., carpool to school, athletic events and shopping to reduce energy consumption and save money) and a host of other resources--environmentally based games and quizzes and information on environmental careers--are included on the website to help teens think and act to reduce their environmental footprints.
Starting a Planet Protectors Club
This kit is designed for students is grades K-6 and comes with a membership card, sticker, coloring book and two activity books.
The Secret Lives of Wild Animals
Modern technologies like global tracking systems and ultraminiaturized sensors now provide researchers with intimate glimpses of rarely seen behaviors of wild animals. Check it out!
Virginia State Parks Youth Corps
Recruitment for the Virginia State Parks Youth Corps (VSPYC) will begin the first of the year. In 2006, projects are being planned for three weeks duration. Youth crews will consist of approximately 10 young people, ages 14-17 from diverse backgrounds, and three crew supervisors, college age or older. This team of young people will live in the park in a structured program of work and learning closely supervised by professional park staff and committed adult volunteers. By day, the crews carry out priority park development and maintenance projects, and after hours they take part in planned environmental education, team building, work life or job readiness training and recreational activities.
The primary purpose of the Virginia State Parks Youth Corps is twofold:
- It is aimed at youth development, including disadvantaged youth, and
- it is a cost effective way to raise environmental awareness and strengthen stewardship of Virginia's valuable natural resources, particularly as state budget levels are curtailed. In essence, the program combines work experience, education and life skills development within the framework of environmental and community service.
For additional information or questions, please contact Gaston Rouse at 703-583-5497, or e mail vspycc@dcr.virginia.gov Additional information, including forms to download, may be found at the web site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks/ycc.htm.
Science Fair topics & ideas focusing on water
Elementary, Middle and High School projects
The Groundwater Foundation
Educating and motivating people to care for and about groundwater. The site includes activities for teachers and students.
Student Resources:
- Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- Virginia Career VIEW
This site provides computer software, career exploration materials, posters and a variety of online career exploration and information activities related to Virginia's Standards of Learning. - Club Invention®
Club Invention® is an after school educational enrichment program for children in grades 2-6. Find out which schools in your area have already launched the program or to bring Club Invention® to your school.