Green up the school

An article about how they are implementing different ideas and programs into the school to make it eco friendly, from food, energy, activities and school initiatives. I know this is in England, but there are some ideas that we could use to implement into our school.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/12/carbonfootprints-carbon-emissions

Life Cycles

Life Cycles: Lists of animals, quizzes and games

http://a-z-animals.com/reference/life-cycles/

What Are Life Cycles?
The life-cycle of an animal, includes all of the stages from the end of the last generation to the beginning of the next. Life-cycles vary in time depending on the species of animal, and can be as short as just a few weeks for insects, to up to 200 years for sea urchins. Despite the time differences, all animal cycles begin with the growth and development process, which is then followed by reproduction. The reproduction stage in the cycle of life marks the end of the cycle and many animals often die after they have reproduced just once.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity for kids

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/biodiversity/

Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the term used to describe the variety of life found on Earth and all of the natural processes. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural diversity, and the connections between these and all species.

Habitats

Habitats: Awesome National Geographic Link.  Lots of Info!!

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/

Example:
Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture takes many forms, but at its core is a rejection of the industrial approach to food production developed during the 20th century.
This system, with its reliance on monoculture, mechanization, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, biotechnology, and government subsidies, has made food abundant and affordable. However, the ecological and social price has been steep: erosion; depleted and contaminated soil and water resources; loss of biodiversity; deforestation; labor abuses; and the decline of the family farm.
The concept of sustainable agriculture embraces a wide range of techniques, including organic, free-range, low-input, holistic, and biodynamic.
The common thread among these methods is an embrace of farming practices that mimic natural ecological processes. Farmers minimize tilling and water use; encourage healthy soil by planting fields with different crops year after year and integrating croplands with livestock grazing; and avoid pesticide use by nurturing the presence of organisms that control crop-destroying pests.
Beyond growing food, the philosophy of sustainability also espouses broader principles that support the just treatment of farm workers and food pricing that provides the farmer with a livable income.
Critics of sustainable agriculture claim, among other things, that its methods result in lower crop yields and higher land use. They add that a wholesale commitment to its practices will mean inevitable food shortages for a world population expected to exceed 8 billion by the year 2030. There's recent evidence, though, suggesting that over time, sustainably farmed lands can be as productive as conventional industrial farms.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Biotic and abiotic factors are interrelated. If one factor is changed or removed, it impacts the availability of other resources within the system.

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0210243/Science%20Station/How%20living%20things%20interact%20with%20their%20environment/relationship%20of%20biotic%20and%20abiotic%20factors.htm

Biotic Factors
Biotic, meaning of or related to life, are living factors. Plants, animals, fungi, protist and bacteria are all biotic or living factors.
Abiotic Factors
Abiotic, meaning not alive, are nonliving factors that affect living organisms. Environmental factors such habitat (pond, lake, ocean, desert, mountain) or weather such as temperature, cloud cover, rain, snow, hurricanes, etc. are abiotic factors.
A System
Biotic and abiotic factors combine to create a system or more precisely, an ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of living and nonliving things considered as a unit.
The Impact of Changing Factors
If a single factor is changed, perhaps by pollution or natural phenomenon, the whole system could be altered. For example, humans can alter environments through farming or irrigating. While we usually cannot see what we are doing to various ecosytems, the impact is being felt all over. For example, acid rain in certain regions has resulted in the decline of fish population.

Alternate Energies

Alternative Energies:  Lots of science ideas for kids.  Choose Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced to get a list of age appropriate projects for alternative energy and power.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/Intro-Energy-Power.shtml

An example:
A Battery That Makes Cents
Batteries are expensive, but you can make one for exactly 24 cents! In this experiment, you will make your own voltaic pile using pennies and nickels. How many coins in the pile will make the most electricity?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in that order!)

The three R's of the Environment - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0775891.html

Every year, Americans throw away 50 billion food and drink cans, 27 billion glass bottles and jars, and 65 million plastic and metal jar and can covers. More than 30% of our waste is packaging materials. Where does it all go? Some 85% of our garbage is sent to a dump, or landfill, where it can take from 100 to 400 years for things like cloth and aluminum to decompose. Glass has been found in perfect condition after 4,000 years in the earth!
We are quickly running out of space. It's time to learn the three R's of the environment: reduce, reuse, recycle. Then practice what you preach: don't buy things you don't need or items that come in wasteful packaging or that cannot be recycled. Reuse and recycle whatever you can.

Eco Crafts!

Here are a few links to eco craft websites. Some are great and filled with a whole bunch of ideas, others only have a few. But...all here are worth it IMHO. ;)

http://planetforward.ca/blog/tag/eco-friendly-crafts-for-kids/

http://www.stormthecastle.com/terrarium/soda-bottle-terrarium.htm
Make A Soda Bottle Terrarium

Pinterest Much?

If you haven't already checked out the latest phenomenon, Pinterest - you really should.

Basically, it's a virtual board of visual ideas.  You find a website with an idea/picture/recipe/craft/etc. and 'pin' it. You will have to pick a picture off the site, and you can give a brief (or long!) description, and you are done. Then you can go look at all your visual pins and click straight to the website!!

Sometimes you can just sign up, and sometimes you need to be invited. So, if you need an invite, email me! otiiva@yahoo.com

Here is a board of Green Crafts for Kids!!
http://pinterest.com/planetpals/green-crafts-for-kids/

Enjoy!!