The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium continues to grow and expand its teacher outreach efforts throughout the High Desert. This year, continued growth has ensued through a series of teacher workshops, environmental curriculum development and review, expansion of our EE Resource Libraries in Antelope Valley and Victorville, mini-grants for classroom EE projects, field trip grants, and a multitude of other EE related projects. These efforts have been accomplished through the support of MEEC’s stakeholders and educators alike.

In 2012, MEEC is proud to sponsor its seventh MEEC “Student of the Year” Awards. Each Student of the Year recipient will receive $60.00 in cash, as well as a $60.00 Staples gift card. The awards banquet will be held on May 10, 2012 at 6 PM at the Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, California.

To this end, we are soliciting one Student of the Year nomination from each school site. The nomination can come from either a principal or teacher. When selecting the student nominee, the nominator must take into consideration the work that the student has done in leadership toward environmental issues and stewardship. The following stipulations will serve as a guide for assisting you in the nomination process:
 The student will be nominated by a teacher or principal from his/her school.
 The student nominee must have spent a minimum of 12 hours in conservation and environmental education activities.
 The student has educated peer students, school employees or community in environmental issues or conservation.
 The student must have above average academic standing (>2.0 GPA for secondary, and the equivalent for primary grades).
 The student must display leadership qualities, possess good character and a good reputation among peers, and not be a disciplinary problem.

Please take the time to complete the Student-Of-The-Year-Nomination-Form and mail your submission to MEEC, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392. Forms may also be faxed to (760) 241-6271 or emailed to christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov. Deadline for entries April 6, 2012

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium continues to grow and expand its teacher outreach efforts throughout the High Desert. This year, continued growth has ensued through a series of teacher workshops, environmental curriculum development and review, expansion of our EE Resource Libraries in Antelope Valley and Victorville, mini-grants for classroom EE projects, field trip grants, and a multitude of other EE related projects. These efforts have been accomplished through the support of MEEC’s stakeholders and educators alike.

In 2012, MEEC is proud to sponsor its seventh MEEC “Teacher of the Year” Awards. Three winners will be selected to receive this prestigious honor; one first place winner, who will receive $300 in cash and a plaque, and two MEEC “Teachers of Excellence” recipients, who will each receive $100 in cash and plaques. This year’s awards banquet will be held on May 10, 2012 at 6 PM at the beautiful Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, California.

To this end, we are soliciting your Principal’s nomination of the educator from your school that you feel would be most worthy of this prestigious recognition. We are looking for an educator who makes continuous and enduring contributions to environmental education, demonstrates capacity for creating and implementing successful environmental activities, shows creative approaches, promotes individual and societal environmental responsibility, and encourages youth to make informed decisions about environmental issues.

Please take the time to formulate a brief letter describing your nominee and his/her contributions to environmental education and have your principal sign the letter. Please mail your submission to MEEC, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392. Letters may also be faxed to (760) 241-6271 or emailed to christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov. Deadline for entries is April 6, 2012.

MEEC’s boundaries consist of the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County, the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County and the High Desert region of North Los Angeles County, including the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale.

Scholarship(s) will be awarded to five qualifying graduating high school senior(s) in the amount of $1,000.00 each. Recipient must attend a high school located within MEEC’s boundaries as described above. Eligible students must declare a major in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or other closely related Science or Engineering field.

The mission of the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium (MEEC) is to improve the environmental literacy of students, teachers and Mojave Desert communities by actively providing quality educational resources. MEEC was founded in 2001 and is the High Desert zone of the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network, a project of the California Department of Education.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to provide the following:
1. A completed application form (attached)
2. Transcripts and SAT/ACT scores (unofficial copies accepted)
3. 500 word personal essay on – “My Career Goals and Why I would like a Career in the Environment, Science, or Engineering field ”
4. Application packages must be received no later than 5 PM, on April 6, 2012. Applicant packet may be mailed or dropped off at: MEEC-ATTN: Scholarship Committee, 14306 Park Ave, Victorville, CA 92392

Click Environmental Science High School Scholarship Announcement to download an application. For more information, please contact Violette Roberts, MEEC Executive Chair at (760) 245-1661 ext 6104 or email: vroberts@mdaqmd.ca.gov

June 11-13, 2012
Campus by the Sea, Catalina Island

This three-day two-night teacher workshop hosted by the Long Beach Marine Institute’s Catalina Island Camp is a study in island and marine ecology with an emphasis on the scientific method. Beginning with the program orientation, teachers will be introduced to the process of scientific inquiry, postulation and reporting. They are briefed on the subject of journal keeping and required to maintain a scientific journal for the duration of the camp.
Teachers will learn about Marine Biodiversity and that it is the variation of life at all levels of biological organization, both terrestrial and marine, and that the ocean contains an astonishing totality of genetic species and ecosystem diversity still mostly unknown but with significant implication for food production, energy, public health, business and industry, ecosystem services, and leisure, cultural and aesthetic value.

Workshop participants will also learn about Environmental Marine Biology which includes the study of ocean health. Teachers will understand the importance of scientists determining the quality of the marine environment to ensure that water quality is sufficient to sustain a healthy environment. Pollutants, sediment, and runoff are all potential threats to marine health in coastal areas.

The program is divided into sessions of instruction and field activity. Teachers will participate in sessions that include such programs as Marine Mammals, Intertidal Habitats and Tide Pools, Plankton Lab, Squid and Shark Lab (dissection), Snorkeling with the Marine Naturalist (both day and nighttime), Island Ecology and guided hike, Astronomy and Properties of Sea Water, and venture on a Wetland Kayak Tour field study program that will introduce participants to the observation methods of biological oceanographers and to instill in them an appreciation for the wetland habitats of Southern California. Teachers will be working together to study the interrelationships of living things and their environment, marine ecosystems, and search for the knowledge necessary if we are to deal with the environment and conservation issues we are faced with today.

Campus by the Sea is a RUSTIC camp, located three miles west of Avalon with access by boat or hiking only. Some of the cabins are open and some enclosed, but all provide no electricity. Accommodations consist of bunk-style with from eight-twelve bunks each. Although there will be students at the camp, adults will be lodged with adults only. There is a central restroom pavilion with flush toilets, hot showers, and power outlets. Meals are served family style in the dining hall. Attendees will need to bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, beach/bath towels, etc. A $45 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT will be required for all scholarship recipients to confirm your attendance at this workshop. Your check will be returned to you at the check-in departure from Long Beach.

(16) Teacher Scholarships will be awarded to attend the three-day, two-night marine workshop on Catalina. Scholarships include transportation to/from Catalina Island, all meals, lodging, curriculum materials, and a $50.00 transportation stipend. WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS MUST TEACH WITHIN THE MEEC BOUNDARIES OF THE SAN BERNARDINO HIGH DESERT REGION, ANTELOPE VALLEY AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY’S BLYTHE REGION.

To download a pdf application, click here Application for Marine Ecology Teacher Workshop Scholarship

Workshop provided by a grant from the Boeing Company

MEEC is hosting a FREE TEACHER WORKSHOP, sponsored by the High Desert Power Project on Thursday, January 26, 2012, 3:45-6:30PM. The “Let’s Get Physic-al: The Basics of Energy” is a two-hour workshop focusing on how energy is generated and stored. Share in the fun of learning about the physics and basics of energy! To download a flyer, click HDPP Workshop 2012“Workshop Flyer”.

Energy is defined as the ability to do Work, and Work is defined as the transfer of Energy. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, electrical, or other forms. Two billiard balls colliding, for example, may come to rest with the resulting energy becoming sound and perhaps a bit of heat at the point of impact! Participants will receive resource tools and activities to help students in grades K-12 learn about their relationship with energy and investigating the environmental issues related to energy’s role in society.

High Desert Power Project (HDPP) is an 840-megawatt (enough electricity to serve more than 800,000 households in the region) power plant project that uses three gas combustion turbines and a 323-megawatt steam turbine. The zero-liquid discharge system allows the facility to use 58,000 gallons of water per minute from the California aqueduct for steam generation. The wastewater is then treated, and about 2,600- acre-feet of water is returned to the aquifer beneath the facility each year. The water goes through four processes: pretreatment, cooling tower blow-down, zero-liquid discharge and aquifer banking.

Participants of the workshop will receive FREE STANDARDS-BASED ENERGY CURRICULUM, DINNER and a private tour of the power project.
WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2012
TIME: 3:45PM—6:30PM
WHERE: High Desert Power Project 19000 Perimeter Rd, Victorville (located at the Southern Calif. Logistics Airport)
Reserve your spot today! Deadline to Register: January 19, 2012
Call Christie Robinson, MEEC Program Specialist at: (760) 245-1661 x 6101 or email at: christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov

This award recognizes one full-time teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade, or the U.K. equivalent, for leadership and innovation in Earth science education. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and a travel grant of $1,000 to attend the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Annual Conference in March 2011 to accept the award. To enter the 2012 competition, applications must be postmarked by January 10, 2012.

This award is named in honor of Dr. Edward C. Roy, Jr., a past president of AGI, who was a strong and dedicated supporter of Earth science education. To learn more, teachers should visit “Awards”.

NGWA Offers Sprinkling of Ground Water Education
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Besides advancing the expertise of ground water professionals, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), an Earth Science Week partner, is dedicated to furthering ground water awareness and protection. NGWA offers short courses on ground water, several conferences each year, an annual ground water expo, and ground water webinars.

Check out “Ground Water Adventures,” a web site providing activities for young people in grade bands K-3, 4-8, and 9-12. Find fun facts about ground water, quizzes, and other information. Also featured are classroom experiments, an online ground water newsletter, pictures, and stories. For more information, visit “Ground Water Adventures” .

Explore ‘Evolving Worlds’ Like Earth With NASA
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NASA’s December topic for the Year of the Solar System is “Evolving Worlds.” The topic closely relates to the theme of Earth Science Week 2011, “Our Ever-Changing Earth.”

Like people, planets grow old. Over billions of years, they change. Planets can lose their atmospheres and oceans. They often gather craters. Planets cool and shrink, becoming denser as they move into their senior years.

To find events and information related to this month’s topic, as well as a wealth of classroom activities and other educational resources, visit “NASA”

AEG Promotes Environmental And Engineering Geology
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The Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG), an AGI member society, not only provides leadership, advocacy, and applied research in environmental and engineering geology – the association also encourages educators to join and make use of its abundant resources.

Resources for members include technical publications, section and chapter meetings, and special educator sessions at the annual meeting. Opportunities for professional geologists to speak to classes are also available to members, as well as resume writing workshops and scholarships for students.

AEG also links to AGI’s K-5 GeoSource online at . K-5 GeoSource is an online professional development tool for elementary-level teachers who offer instruction on Earth science topics such as weather, fossils, rocks, soil, and water. To find out more about what AEG has to offer or become a member, visit “AGI K-5″

Smithsonian Education Digs Into Earth’s Soil
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Smithsonian Education offers a fascinating exploration of Earth’s soil with its “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” exhibition. For information, videos, expert instruction, and activity sheets, visit “Dig It!”.

For example, a “Root Words” word-search sheet combines science and language arts with insights into the origins of related scientific terms. Download a PDF at “Smithsonian”.

NSF Offers Online Climate Change Resources
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Earth science teachers and students often examine the connections between two related topics: energy and climate. For those wishing to take a closer look at climate change, the National Science Foundation (NSF) offers a useful web site.

“Our planet’s climate affects – and is affected by – the sky, land, ice, sea, life, and people found on it. To understand the entire story of climate change,” according to the site, “we must study all of the natural and human systems that contribute to and interact with Earth’s climate system.”

Go to “NSF” to find an NSF report summarizing the current state of knowledge about climate change. The succinct format is enhanced with slideshows and videos.

Examine Critical Minerals In AGI’s New EarthNote
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What would you do without your cell phone, computer, or car? These technological marvels require dozens of elements, which come from a finite supply of minerals. In a new EarthNote, AGI looks at what makes a mineral “critical” and how a sudden loss of resources could impact the economy.

Critical minerals are defined by their dollar value, availability of substitutes, and increasing demand. Green technologies such as wind turbines and electric cars, communications technologies such as computers and cell phones, and cutting-edge military systems all depend on critical minerals. Learn more in the new EarthNote “Critical Minerals”
(http://www.agiweb.org/environment/earthnotes/note.html?PublicID=8).

SSA Resources Produce Seismic Shift in Learning
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Want to shake up education? Start with the Seismological Society of America (SSA), the international scientific association devoted to advancing seismology and applications in imaging Earth’s structure and understanding and mitigating earthquake hazards.

SSA, an AGI member society, offers a number of links to educational web sites, including geoscience activities related to seismic science and earthquakes. Sponsored by Purdue University, the site “Purdue” features seismic eruption models, wave animations, plate tectonics simulations, information on tsunamis, and much more.

SSA also offers publications, information on seismology careers, a distinguished lecturer series, and an electronic encyclopedia of earthquakes.

Is Earth Science Education At Risk in Your State?
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Many public schools have dropped Earth science from the required curriculum in recent years. Some colleges have closed geoscience departments. Employers have said they need more qualified candidates for geoscience jobs. Does your public education system ensure that all students learn important Earth science content?

AGI allows you to track the status of Earth science education nationwide. The “Pulse of Earth Science” web site, launched in connection with Earth Science Week, offers detailed, up-to-date information on geoscience education in every state, as well as guidance for advocates. View online at “Pulse of Earth Science”

NOAA Teaches Teachers About Oceans, Atmosphere
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The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) promotes education about oceanic and atmospheric science – and not only during Earth Science Week. NOAA offers resources and opportunities for students and teachers all year long.

“NOAA’s” education site provides lesson plans, interactive activities, educational games, videos, images, scholarships, career opportunities, and detailed information on weather, climate change, oceans, and satellites. Also, look for information on NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program, which allows a K-16 teacher to serve aboard a NOAA ship as a researcher. In addition to online offerings, NOAA’s Office of Education conducts teacher development workshops throughout the year to help improve oceanic and atmospheric literacy among science teachers.

For more information about how to celebrate and to help children in Grades 3-5 participate in a poster contest, check this website “Arbor Week Poster Contest”.

MEEC, the Mojave Desert AQMD, and the Mojave Desert Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association invite your school to participate in the 2012 “Outstanding Environmental Science Project Awards” Program. The program recognizes outstanding environmentally-themed science projects entered in local science fairs.

The program is open to students in grades K-12. Winners of school-level competitions will receive $50 Savings Bonds, while winners of District, Regional and higher level science fairs will be awarded $100 Savings Bonds. One winner per event will be selected by our judge, who will come to your school science fair. Only 20 schools will be selected for participation, on a first come, first served basis. Applications for participation must be received by February 28, 2012.

For more information about how your school can participate, please call Violette Roberts, MEEC Executive Chair at: (760) 245-1661 ext 6104.

The Mojave Environmental Education Consortium is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for Grade K-12 teachers to receive a full scholarship to attend a two-day “place-based” outdoor workshop that will demonstrate to educators how to utilize arts and group facilitation to achieve more investment from students.

The Joshua Tree Desert Studies two-day workshop has been developed to infuse Environmental Education into standards based curriculum by demonstrating to teachers how to utilize concepts like exposition and sense of place to deepen and make richer the content of any lesson. Subjects such as history, literature, and science benefit from an understanding of the environment where they were formed and took place. Looking at man’s relationship with nature, and the conditions that shaped beliefs, ideas, and stories, serve to allow students to connect to material, and increase the opportunity for research and in-depth consideration of topics.

This workshop will demonstrate to teachers how to utilize arts and group facilitation to achieve more investment from students. Teachers will be instructed on, and discuss the benefits of, using digital photography, pen and ink drawing, and other media to help students comprehend concepts and retain information by making it more personal and relevant. The program will also discuss the advantages of using group presentation and facilitation to further engage students and to provide professional development in public speaking. This skill set builds capacity and self-confidence. The workshop will be conducted in both the Joshua Tree National Park and the Morongo Preserve, where teachers will experience “place-based” learning. A returning teacher from the previous year’s workshop will also provide a presentation on how they are utilizing what they learned from the workshop into their classroom.

We are pleased to have as the workshop presenter David Lamfrom, Wildlife Biologist/Photographer and California Desert Program Manager, with the National Parks Conservation Association. David is a renowned wildlife biologist and wildlife photographer who worked with students on the recently published “Tortoise through the Lens” program. Also invited are presenters to instruct the attendees on how to capture wildlife using pen, ink, or pencil mediums, and other guests presenting artistic disciplines that translate well into classrooms.

(15) Teacher Scholarships will be awarded to attend a two-day, overnight training session at both Joshua Tree National Park and the Big Morongo Preserve. Scholarships include all meals, lodging, curriculum materials, a $50.00 transportation stipend, and an autographed copy of David Lamfrom’s “Tortoise through the Lens” book. Attendees will need to bring their own camera to use during the workshop. This year, the workshop recipients will be staying in Yucca Valley at the new Best Western, where each participant will have their own deluxe king-size room. Dinner will be at the fun, unique, and historic “Harriet and Pappy’s “in historic Pioneer Town.
Click here to download the “Scholarship Application”