CELF Citizen Science: Inquiry to Action is a semester-long program that engages educators and students in project-based STEAM learning outside of the classroom. Tailored to each school and community location, we offer professional learning workshops for teachers paired with on-site support to implement a project-based learning module that  connects students to real-world challenges in their own neighborhoods. The program culminates in a Spring 2020 Student Symposium, bringing together all participating schools to present their findings and pollution-prevention plans to community members and real-world policy makers. The program combines the development of 21st century skills with the motivation and creativity generated by solving a problem in one’s own community.

Participants in the program will:

• Implement a project-based STEAM learning unit.

• Participate in professional learning workshops paired with on-site educator support.

• Collect data with AirBeam monitoring technology combined with HabitatMap crowd-sourced data sharing platform.

• Focus on air-quality while learning pedagogical principles that apply to a range of citizen science learning opportunities.

• Engage with local concerns through student-led inquiry.

This opportunity is grant-funded. Join one of the workshops, connect with our educators for on-site support, and come together with other classes implementing this program at our 2020 Spring Student Symposium.

If you attend one of two professional development opportunities you can attain 2-hours of Continuing Professional Education credit, receive an air quality monitor, connect with local environmental partners, and enjoy a free lunch with fellow educators. You will also gain access to the 2020 Student Symposium, the culminating event for the program.

This free, monthly workshop addresses the basics on how to install and operate a solar system.  It covers topics such as solar array types, costs of equipment and labor, permitting, energy savings, and reliability. The instructor, Bill Swann, is an expert in solar energy and has built many of his own solar systems. This workshop is ideal for all people; Bill can answer the simplest and most technical of questions. If you want to learn more about solar, this is the workshop for you. For more information, contact Bill Swann at william.swann2@gmail.com.

Street parking available. This workshop occurs on the last friday of every month, except December.

The second Thursday of each month book group for learning more about green themes including the environmental, social and economic approaches to sustainability.

For more information visit Facebook.com

The Nancy Thomas Horticulture Lecture was established in 1995 and is held biennially in February. This event focuses on horticulture. Recent speakers have included Adriaan Geuze, William Cullina and Antonia Adezio.

Julia Picton Wallace Lecture, begun in 2006 and is held biennially in the fall, and is devoted to the subject of floral arrangement. These speakers are prominent floral artists who give a demonstration and speak about the methods and skills necessary to floral arranging. Presenters have included Elisa DeJong Stout, Natasha Lisitsa, Jane Godshall, Soho Sakai and Bruno Duarte.

Landscape Photography Workshop 

Saturday, February 22
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Co-presented by Houston Center for Photography
16 years and older (adults and teens)
Class fee: $20

Explore the landscape of Houston Botanic Garden through the lens of a camera. Learn about basic composition guidelines, such as framing, perspective, leading lines, Rule of Thirds, and more and how you can incorporate these into your own photographs of the environment.

This free, monthly workshop addresses the basics on how to install and operate a solar system.  It covers topics such as solar array types, costs of equipment and labor, permitting, energy savings, and reliability. The instructor, Bill Swann, is an expert in solar energy and has built many of his own solar systems. This workshop is ideal for all people; Bill can answer the simplest and most technical of questions. If you want to learn more about solar, this is the workshop for you. For more information, contact Bill Swann at william.swann2@gmail.com.

Street parking available. This workshop occurs on the last friday of every month, except December.

Raise funds for the Lawther-Deer Park Prairie Education Program, honor Susan and Peter Conaty, participate in auctions, and test your prairie knowledge with this fun program.

Get excited for Birdathon 2020! Join Houston Audubon at the Kick-off Workshop to learn all about Birdathon and birding at their wonderful log cabin at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Meet other birders and nature enthusiasts, and maybe even sign up for a team! This workshop is free and open to the public.

WHAT IS BIRDATHON?

Birdathon is the birder’s equivalent to a walkathon, but better (because you get to look at birds all day). Teams of 2 or more (typically 4-5) compete to count as many bird species as possible in a consecutive 24-hour period. Birdathon is primarily a fundraiser, so teams also compete to raise the most money for the best cause: bird conservation. The birding and fundraising period is followed by a fun awards celebration with prizes for the most birds identified, most funds raised, best story, best team name and more! Birdathon is a great way to enjoy spring migration and support Houston Audubon at the same time.

Whether you can identify 2 species or 2,000, birders of all experience levels are welcome to participate in Birdathon! Please contact us if you’d like to be placed on a team.

For more information visit houstonaudubon.org/
Questions? Contact Zineera Seth at (713) 932-1639 ext. 106 or zseth@houstonaudubon.org.

The second Thursday of each month book group for learning more about green themes including the environmental, social and economic approaches to sustainability.

For more information visit Facebook.com

Drink up the benefits of water conservation and learn how to build a rain barrel at home.