Transcript Hand’s W.O.O.D.S Service Learning

Hand’s WOODS
Service Learning
Millersville University
Nick Dower, Phelan Piehota,
Gary Weiberg, Rachel Wengert
Goal
Primary focus of the Hand’s WOODS Foundation
 support both financially and educationally
 facilitating and initiating relationships with
volunteers who teach through using some
aspect of the woods
 assists teachers in incorporating the woodlot into
their curriculum
 Most of the foundation will consist of students
and other members of the local community
(lawyers, teachers, administrators, etc.)
Mission Statement
The mission statement of the
Hand’s WOODS Foundation is that
from K-5 to college the project will
offer the opportunity for students to
learn about all components of
environmental awareness and action.
Board Structure Proposal
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Executive Director- Andrew Duncan
Public Relations Liason- Larry Mays, Ana Pabon, and
Diane Patton
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Safety and Security Liason - Officer Diaz and Mike
Saladik
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Funding Director - Schirlyn Kamara
Education Director - Schirlyn Kamara
Labor Planning Director - Carl Martin, Chris Hardy and
Mary Gattis-Schell
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Program Coordinator - Paid position with assistance
from Mary Gattis-Schell
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Secretary
Background
Edward Hand Middle School
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Opened in 1925- East Junior High School
1995-renamed Edward Hand Middle School (6, 7, 8)
General Edward Hand (1744-1802)
-Born in Ireland- originally studied medicine
-18th Royal Irish Regiment
-1767-Moved to America
-Settled in Lancaster practicing medicine
-Personal physician to George Washington (Revolutionary war)
-A figurehead locally and nationally with political and civil affairs
George Washington Elementary
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Built in 1932
~625 students- grades K-5
Diverse backgrounds
Full-day kindergarten
Use of Boys and Girls education model which teaches social skills
After school programs
- L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone)
Woodlot History
Conestoga Indian Tribe
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Inhabited the land before white settlement in
Lancaster (1718)
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Killed on December 27, 1763 right in the center of
Lancaster City
Current Woodlot
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Trolley tracks leading to vacation area in Sunny Side
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Has had numerous property owners
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False myth- Barney Google Town
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Shantytown
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Glue factories (1884)
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Phosphate works
1864
1875
Utilizing the WOODS
•Increase/reinforce Biological concepts by seeing actual
processes in action
•Enhances the classroom environment by involving the
students
•Increase the students’ feelings of involvement in their
surrounding community, as well as school pride
•A place they can call their own
•Increase awareness of their environmental footprints at
an early age
Education
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Introduction material for outdoor integrative
activities
Sustainability and Gardening
-Experiments with plants renewable/nonrenewable energy
1. “Children Gardening: First Steps Toward a
Sustainable Future”
2. “Long Term Plant Biodiversity Study”
3. “Primary Osmosis: Plants, Growth, and
Needing Some Inspiration”
Education…
Earth, Soil, and Habitats
Lab Experiments: Earth
Grade 1 science packet: Describe the features of the earth’s
surface, describe basic rocks and soil, and discuss the
characteristics and uses of air.
Grade 2: Appreciate the intricacy of the environment and
recognize interactions in the environment.
Grade 3: Describe the structure of the Earth and describe
some characteristics of the crust.
Grade 4: Provide evidence of the Earth’s history, describe
how fossils are formed, and recognize how inferences are
made.
Education…
Plant Dynamics
Experiments with Plants:
1.
Packet 1- Grade 1: Science Plants
2.
Packet 2- Grade 2: Science Plants
3.
Packet 3- Grade 5: Science Plant Structure
and Function
4.
Packet 4- Middle School Science Fair Projects,
by Anne Marie Helmenstine Ph. D.
5.
Packet 5- Writing Prompt Experiment with
Plants
Education…
Watershed Activities
1. “My Watershed” - An early elementary
curriculum exploring local hydrology.
2. “Shedding Light on Watersheds” - More
advanced content is covered, including basic
terms and experiments.
3. “What is a Watershed?”- A simple runoff
demonstration in a watershed.
Education…
Physical Education
1.
“Alternative Environment Activities”
(packet)
2.
“Evaluation of a Ropes Course
Experience for At-Risk Secondary
School Students”
By: Laura Conley, Paul Calderella, and
Ellie Young
N
S
Plant Maintenance
• Ivy and Clamatis ground cover needs to be
removed
• Open canopy in this area provides good
sunlight for newly planted species
• Possible area to engage in forest restoration
and plant native species
• Possible area for experiments in planting
and/or farming
• Woodlot is full of the potentially invasive species:
Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii)
• This species should be removed and replaced
with: Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).
• Spicebush is a non-invasive species and will
attract birds to the woodlot
Security
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Lot aspects: surrounding community, geological
formations, diverse plant life
Records obtained of significant events in surrounding
area
Security measures should be implemented based on
greatest security risk
Police ‘recent incident reports’-9/9/07 to 10/22/07
Surrounding area of Hand Middle School- 200 Block of
every street towards the school grounds
Security…
Prominent Features
•Constant presence of school and/or law enforcement
personnel
-365 days a year
-summer/winter camps through the school
-scout/outdoor organizations
-random patrols by community members, police officers,
or teachers
•Development and maintenance of established paths
•Establishing entrances and exits to the wooded lot
-natural obstacles (boulders, logs, etc.)
-allow pedestrian movement but deny the entrance of allterrain vehicles
Financial Support
Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation – Grants available up to $1500 for
environmental education
In contact with Dan Ardia (President) who is interested in the Hands’ WOODS project and
would like us to submit an application asap.
Stauffers of Kissel Hill – give VERY small monetary donations, may be able to get native
plant species donated (Contacted through email, have not received a response)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Grants available
Applications must be submitted by 12/20
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards – awards
$10,000 to k-12 or non-profit group for helping the environment.
(Deadline has passed for 2008, will have to wait for 2009).
http://www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters/eea/about.htm
PA Department of environmental education – Provides grants for projects like
Hands WOODS
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/enved/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=473483
Works Cited
Edward Hand Middle School
www.lancaster.k12.pa.us/middle_school/hand/index.htm.
George Washington Elementary School
www.lancaster.k12.pa.us/elementary/washington/index.htm.
Lancaster School District
www.lancaster.k12.pa.us/index.htm.
Lancaster Police Department
(717) 664-1180
"Let every individual and institution
now think and act as a responsible
trustee of Earth, seeking choices in
ecology, economics and ethics that
will provide a sustainable future"
-- John McConnell, founder of
International Earth Day