Grant-funded Programs 2002-2004
NJAS is grateful for the support given by
foundations, corporations and government programs
to help fund the following education projects and initiatives.
A
Global Study of Wildlife Migration—A Shared Inquiry
This program will explore
environmental learning experiences with a network of multi-grade
level (Grade 2-14) partners from Alloway School, Paul W.
Carleton School, Salem City High School, Salem Community
College, and Penn Beach Elementary School—all in a countywide
study of migration. We will explore the biodiversity of
migrating species, collect real-time data, and interface with
each other and scientists through online discussions. The study
of migration will support the understanding that making
environmental decisions requires raising levels of awareness and
encourages stewardship. This study is made possible through an
educational grant sponsored by DuPont Chambers Works--Partners
in Science.
THIS JUST IN......
NJAS research associates created a "short
list" of nocturnally migrating songbirds that were recorded at
Supawana Meadow's National Wildlife Refuge (only a few miles
from Salem City High School). Each student from Elaine
Awalt's class at the High School researched a bird species and
created a "field guide page" that outlined how to identify the
bird, the bird's winter and breeding range, the bird's food
preference and conservation concerns. These were then
shared with other students in the class and were used to help
identify birds seen during a recent field trip to Supawana
Meadows.
 
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EIC - Using the Environment as an Integrated
Context for Learning
(funded by the Geraldine R Dodge Foundation)
As part of
the statewide impetus for education reform, NJAS participated in
a national program called EIC - Using the
Environment as an Integrated Context for Learning.
Although individual organizations have used this
education reform concept to develop and promote their programs
for many years, research conducted by SEER (The
State Education and Environment Roundtable) has documented
higher test scores and greater student participation in schools that have
implemented the EIC process.
What
does that translate to in everyday terms?
EIC students explore their local surroundings to discover
issues of interest. They
design their own investigations and cooperate with teachers to
assess their academic process.
The EIC model gives students a major role in designing
their own learning, conducting in-depth research and applying
subject matter skills and knowledge through service-learning
projects that can significantly benefit their communities.
Through
a grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, select schools in
New Jersey participated in the program during school years
2001/02 and 2002/03. School
teams composed of classroom teachers, a school
administrator and an EE mentor participated in a summer training
institute. New
Jersey Audubon Society provided
an EE mentor for Downe Township Elementary
School. As part of the team, the EE mentor's role
was to
facilitate the EIC process and provide access to NJAS network of
people, groups and information. New Jersey is the first state in
the country that includes the EE mentor component to the EIC
process.
Says
Jerry Schierloh, New Jersey EIC Coordinator and NJAS board
member, "The beauty of this program is not only in being
able to provide local schools with resources and professional
training, but it will allow NJAS staff to become more familiar
with the daily challenges of teachers and school
districts." NJAS
views this as a great opportunity to further link the roles of
formal educators and non-formal educators and provide
professional training for our own staff.
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Champions of the Environment
(funded in part by Cumberland County Improvement Authority)
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For the last two years, Downe Township
Elementary School has participated in a national program
entitled: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for
Learning (EIC), funded in New Jersey by the Geraldine R. Dodge
Foundation. During the school year 2002/2003, teachers and
students focused their learning on the Nantuxent Creek
watershed. Additional funding from the Cumberland County
Improvement Authority (CCIA) enabled teachers to have in-service
professional development in NJ Audubon Society’s watershed
curriculum – New Jersey WATERS: Watershed Approach to
Teaching the Ecology of Regional Systems. The focus of the
CCIA grant was to encourage students to become “Champions
of the Environment” by learning more about the ecosystems
and watershed issues in Cumberland County. Students in
grades 3, 4, 5, & 6 went on field trips to gain knowledge about
the area and to discover the many wonders of their local
environment.
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Protecting
Cape May, Tree City U.S.A.
(funded
through Cape May City Environmental Commission
from the National Arbor Day Foundation)
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This grant was awarded to the Cape May City
Environmental Commission and it will supply funds over the course
of the school year 2003-2004 to provide educational connections to
the community schools to improve understanding and extend
appreciation of the trees and ecosystems of Cape May.
Under the grant Cape May City elementary
school will be receiving a copy of the newly revised Bridges to
the Natural World (New Jersey Audubon Society’s award-winning
curriculum supplement) and students in the participating classes
will receive their own copy of Take A Tree Walk by Jane
Kirkland (winner of Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly 2003"
and "The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval" awards).
New Jersey Audubon Society's Nature Center of
Cape May has been named a consultant in the grant. They will be
providing professional development in-service workshops for
teachers and conducting student lessons. Students will be creating
projects for public display and will have an opportunity to go on
a “Tree Walk” with children’s author Jane Kirkland.
For additional information, call, write or email
NJAS Department
of Education
Center for Research and Education
600 Route 47 North
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 861-0700
New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) is a statewide, not-for-profit, membership
organization committed to preserving New Jersey’s habitats and species
biodiversity. We invite your support through
membership and participation
in our programs.
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