Growing Green Hearts near you…
February 2020
Author Visit to Park Terrace Elementary
On February 10th, 2020, author Heidi Ferris will be exploring enviroSTEM idea and reading her children’s book 1-2-3 Earth Air Me in partnership with the school’s participation in February being “I love to read month.” Contact Heidi here to set up an author visit or hands-on enviroSTEM experience for your school!
40th Annual Early Childhood Educators Conference for ELCA Schools and Early Learning Centers
The 2020 ELEA Conference theme is “Inspiring Leaders” and will include a variety of speakers and presenters. Heidi Ferris, author and founder of Growing Green Hearts, will be presenting “Science & Systems: Books on eSTEM” at the 2020 ELEA Conference on Friday, February 28th.
Date: February 27, 2020 – February 29, 2020
Registration and information can be found here.
March 2020
Connect-the-Drops: Faith, Science & Youth Leadership
Growing Green Hearts has partnered with Capitol Region Watershed District and 8+ congregations in the St. Paul area to move knowledge to action in care of water throughout 2020.
Connect-the-Drops: Faith, Science & Youth Leadership is a community program, curriculum, and eSTEM service learning model developed by Growing Green Hearts. We lift up student leadership while bolstering water science literacy across the community.
Learn about upcoming events done virtually with Zoom by contacting us here or checking the Growing Green Heart’s facebook page.
April 2020
Wetland enviroSTEM Tour called
“Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Springs Alive!”
Rescheduled for Sunday, August 23rd, 2020
This wetland tour of Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is for all ages! Together we’ll do hands-on environmental STEM activities as we hike, learn and play at the fen which is a specialized wetland. Water is on the move and so are the creatures as spring arrives at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Guided activities will open your eyes to the unique geology and biology- that we are still working to conserve, restore, and understand. From frogs to filters, we’ll use environmental STEM to experience nature springing alive in the unique habitats along theboardwalk and trails. Registration is through City of Blaine Parks & Recreation Department.
DATE: Sunday, April 25 Rescheduled for Sunday, August 23rd, 2020
TIME: 2:30 – 3:30pm
FEE: $5/person or $10/family. Register here.
STEAM Saturday at Columbia Heights Library
Cancelled
Growing Green Hearts will be leading youth in a hands-on enviroSTEM experience called Geochemistry of Minnesota™ Seashells and volcanoes break down into some pretty cool chemistry and rock talk! Go back in time in MN to better understand why the land here looks like it does today. Solve a sandy mystery, get a little messy with “lava” and a bit crazy with calcium carbonate! More information here.
DATE: Saturday, April 25, 2020
WHERE: City of Columbia Heights Library, 3939 Central Ave NE
May 2020
Course: Exploring Environmental STEM at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary
Rescheduled for Saturday, August 29th, 2020
Educators, Teachers, Scout Leaders….Join this curriculum training course to experience the 5E’s (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate) all at BlaineWetland Sanctuary! We’ll act out seasons, build different nests, create art connecting natural systems, investigate insulators, identify plants, and more. These activities will teach the environmental STEMpedagogy: the 5E model for nature play; and prepare leaders for hikes, lessons, and field trips at the site. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is an open space park that includes a special wetland called a fen, some of the rarest plants in Minnesota, and a unique mile-long boardwalk.BWS is free to visitors of all ages.
Trainer: Heidi Ferris of Growing Green Hearts in partnership with City of Blaine.
Professional Development for Minnesota Center for Professional Development/Parent Aware.
DATE: Saturday May 9 Rescheduled for Saturday, August 29th, 2020
TIME: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Fee: $15 Register here.
June 2020
Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (aka MITY)
ExplorSchool
MITY’s ExplorSchool provides rising 5th-7th grade students a unique opportunity to investigate new topics and dive deeper into their passions at a level that is challenging and motivating. Intellectually curious students take two classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, enabling them to explore different disciplines, experience things that are not possible within a normal school setting, and forge new friendships. More information and registration can be found online at www.mity.org. Heidi Ferris of Growing Green Hearts will be leading these sessions:
When: June 15th – June 26th, 2020
Where: MITY is held at St. Paul Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota
Wetland enviroSTEM Tour called
“Welcome Hike & Belly Biology at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary”
What’s underground (and under the boardwalk) will surprise you! Come and meet our new neighbor, the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Together we will explore how water, land, air, and living things interact with each other in this special place. Throughout the nature hike participants will dazzle the senses with belly biology, systems bingo, and BWS nature trivia. This wetland tour of Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is for all ages! Together we’ll do hands-on environmental STEM activities as we hike, learn and play at the fen which is a specialized wetland. Registration is through City of Blaine Parks & Recreation Department.
DATE: Monday, June 29th, 2020
TIME: 9 – 10am
FEE: $5/child or $10/family. Register here.
Wetland enviroSTEM Tour called “Superheroes & Systems at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary”
Wear your superhero gear! The fen at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is a water superhero! Hike the boardwalk with us to learn the story: How does the fen battle the water pollutant villains? Which plants are signs of health in the system?Where is there evidence of change at the fen? Together we will explore examples of how water, air, land, and living things are interconnected at the site. Activities for all ages include: connecting maps with core sampling, use-your-senses bingo, and an engineering design challenge. Together we’ll do hands-on environmental STEM activities as we hike, learn and play. Registration is through City of Blaine Parks & Recreation Department.
DATE: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
TIME: 9 – 10am
FEE: $5/child or $10/family. Register here.
July 2020
3 ABC Storytime Open Houses
on the Boardwalk!
All 3 at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary
Come anytime during our open houses to try nature play with your young child at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Growing Green Hearts partners with the City of Blaine to bring environmental STEM and nature play to the special wetland areas called Blaine Nature Sanctuary. Follow a story along the boardwalk and meet the author! Each morning will have different books and hands-on nature play, all connected to the theme of the day! Dress for the weather.
Author & Art Open House for Small Children with Parent/Guardian
The book “1,2,3 Earth Air Me” by local author Heidi Ferris will be placed along the path to guide us in nature sculpture, a water painting activity, and wetland art in action.
DATE: Wednesday, July 8, 2020
TIME: 9 – 11am Open House Fee: FREE
Boardwalk & Books Open House for Small Children with Parent/Guardian
Hike the boardwalk as you read the book “4S’s for Noticing Nature” with local author Heidi Ferris. Create a nature journal together then record what you notice using your senses. Try making your own artisanal paper from recycled fibers.
DATE: Thursday, July 9, 2020
TIME: 9 – 11am Open House Fee: FREE
Connecting with Nature Open House for Small Children with Parent/Guardian
Wonder, dance and sing about water with author of the book “7 Water Wonderings.” Together we will build a giant watershed model. Kids can explore water critters.
DATE: Friday, July 10, 2020
TIME: 9 – 11am Open House Fee: FREE
August 2020
Minnesota Independent Schools Forum STEM Education Conference 2020
WHEN: Thursday, August 6th, 2020
WHERE: Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, 2501 Hwy 100 S
Course offerings and information can be found here.
Wetland enviroSTEM Tour called
“Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Springs Alive!”
This wetland tour of Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is for all ages! Together we’ll do hands-on environmental STEM activities as we hike, learn and play at the fen which is a specialized wetland. Water is on the move and so are the creatures as spring arrives at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Guided activities will open your eyes to the unique geology and biology- that we are still working to conserve, restore, and understand. From frogs to filters, we’ll use environmental STEM to experience nature springing alive in the unique habitats along theboardwalk and trails. Registration is through City of Blaine Parks & Recreation Department.
DATE: Sunday, August 23rd, 2020
TIME: 4:00 – 5:00pm
FEE: $5/person or $10/family. Register here.
Course: Exploring Environmental STEM at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary
Educators, Teachers, Scout Leaders….Join this curriculum training course to experience the 5E’s (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate) all at BlaineWetland Sanctuary! We’ll act out seasons, build different nests, create art connecting natural systems, investigate insulators, identify plants, and more. These activities will teach the environmental STEMpedagogy: the 5E model for nature play; and prepare leaders for hikes, lessons, and field trips at the site. Blaine Wetland Sanctuary is an open space park that includes a special wetland called a fen, some of the rarest plants in Minnesota, and a unique mile-long boardwalk.BWS is free to visitors of all ages.
Trainer: Heidi Ferris of Growing Green Hearts in partnership with City of Blaine.
Professional Development for Minnesota Center for Professional Development/Parent Aware.
DATE: Saturday, August 29th, 2020
TIME: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Fee: $15 Register here.
ONGOING…
Connect-the-Drops: Faith, Science & Youth Leadership
Growing Green Hearts has partnered with Capitol Region Watershed District and 8+ congregations in the St. Paul area to move knowledge to action in care of water throughout 2020.
Connect-the-Drops: Faith, Science & Youth Leadership is a community program, curriculum, and eSTEM service learning model developed by Growing Green Hearts. We lift up student leadership while bolstering water science literacy across the community.
Learn about upcoming events done virtually with Zoom by contacting us here or checking the Growing Green Heart’s facebook page.
Blaine Wetland Sanctuary
Intergenerational Tours and Programming by Growing Green Hearts at Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Free environmental STEM curriculum, maps, and other Blaine Wetland Sanctuary resources can be found here. Learn more about the unique habitats, rare plants, and interconnected systems by checking out the blog.
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Play while problem solving!
Growing Green Hearts offers…
- Site Visits and Events with Growing Green Hearts means hands-on fun, author talks, and nature adventures through environmental STEM learning. Connect kids with their local environment with site visits to classrooms, library programs, scout meetings, child care centers, and large group events.
- NEW! “Plants as Superheroes: Kids Leading with Seeds, Plants & Nature Play” is a 4-part package of site visits blending author visits, hands-on environmental STEM, and service learning catered to your site.
- Teacher Trainings with Growing Green Hearts are geared towards educators of elementary students and early learners, no matter what your science background. Growing Green Hearts has served 9 school districts and many private schools throughout Minnesota. Teacher trainings with Growing Green Hearts have received MN Center for Professional Development/Parent Aware approval.
- Curriculum Development with Growing Green Hearts brings interconnected land, air, water, and living things into the hands of the learner. Specializing in environmental STEM experiences, GGH creatively pulls together your site’s natural resources and needs with state and national standards.
- Natural Playground Coaching with GGH builds community and grows exciting science programs based on student interests, power of play, creativity, and the processes of environmental Science Technology Engineering and Math (eSTEM).
QUESTIONS? Contact Growing Green Hearts
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