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.

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.

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.

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

New to the EcoRise Eco-Audit Grant Process and want to learn how to walk students through a student written grant process to get their sustainability ideas funded? Join us for this one-hour introductory webinar!

EcoRise will:

-Review the curriculum/resource platform

-View examples

-Discuss facilitation ideas

EcoRise will use Zoom video platform. Please be sure your camera and video are working in advance of the webinar. Use the link below to log into the meeting. It takes about 1-2 minutes to get set up before the meeting.Join us via laptop at: https://zoom.us/s/9624181171

**Webinar is for PreK-12 teachers only. Please respond to confirmation email to secure your spot.

Already an EcoRise teacher and need some one-on-one guidance? Schedule an Eco-Audit Grant Check In:

https://calendly.com/ecorisekristi/15min

Presenter: Houston Public Works
Houston Public Works is currently a host of Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)! This educator workshop will help teach all levels, formal and informal, on diverse water topics that educators can use to reach children with objective, experiential, science-based water education. Project WET is a world leader in developing interdisciplinary, hands-on activities to integrate knowledge of water resources and issues into K-12 classrooms, using simulations and critical thinking skills at the core of Next Generation Science Standards. Learn more, https://www.projectwet.org. ********************************************************************* The workshop will also provide a sneak peek to the Houston Botanic Garden in Southeast Houston. The Houston Botanic Garden will be an oasis of horticultural beauty showcasing Houston’s biodiversity in a beautiful and serene setting. Through outstanding displays and enriching programs, the Garden will inspire all who visit to become environmental stewards as they learn more about plants and the vast natural world. ************************************ For information please contact: Alondra Hernandez, Administrative Coordinator at alondra.hernandez@houstontx.gov or (832) 395-3780

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.

What in the natural world can be used to make dye for cloth? The forest is replete with natural materials to dye cloth. Join us for this hands-on demonstration learning to dye different types of cloth with various natural materials.