Project Wild Educator Training
January 20-21, Springville

A Project Wild educator training will be held at Regan Academy Charter School (1143 W. Center, Springville, UT) on January 20-21. For more information about the training or to register contact Diana Vos, Project WILD Coordinator at (801) 538-4719 or dianavos@utah.gov. Project WILD is a Pre-K through 12th grade conservation education program emphasizing wildlife, sponsored by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Winter in Zion with a Naturalist
January 21, Zion National Park

Join a Zion National Park naturalist for an interpretive tour of the canyon. Examine the effects of winter on the geology, plants, and animals of Zion National Park and its surrounds. Understand the role that winter precipitation plays in the desert. For more information visit http://www.zionpark.org

Colorado Plateau Bioregional Outdoor Education Conference
March 3–5, Blanding

“The Colorado Plateau and Our Sacred Waters” will be held March 3–5, 2006 in Blanding, Utah at the College of Eastern Utah, San Juan Campus. This conference is for K–8 grade teachers and other educators from the Colorado Plateau Bioregion to learn how to better incorporate bioregionally focused, hands-on outdoor education into their classrooms. The Colorado Plateau Bioregional Outdoor Education Conference is part of the Four Corners School’s Bioregional Outdoor Education Project (BOEP). Please call (435) 587-2156 or email mailto:jorris@fourcornersschool.org for more information.

EPA Launches Children's Environmental Health Database

In early November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a searchable database, called TEACH (Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children's Health), with over 1,400 references to chemicals that have the potential to affect children's environmental health. The database is designed to improve the information base related to children's environmental health risks by providing a listing and summary of scientific literature applicable to children's health risks due to chemical exposure." TEACH features a list of 16 different chemicals, including arsenic, vinyl chloride, and several pesticides. The database can be found at http://www.epa.gov/teach/index.html.

New Resources for Educators from NSTA

Building Successful Partnerships: Community Connections for Science Education
Don’t overlook the many enriching activities available outside the classroom! This book offers tips and strategies on selecting community resources for field trips, developing and evaluating educational materials, and even arranging transportation. For more information visit: http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB160X1.

History and Theory You Can Use: Community Connections for Science Education
This book examines education in nontraditional settings, including Boys & Girls Clubs, 4-H, zoos, aquariums, and public TV. Among the book’s features for informal science educators are a resource directory and a special section on program evaluation. For more information visit: http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB160X2.

Start Young: Early Childhood Science Activities offers a wealth of simple educational activities designed to use right away with even the littlest scientists. This book is not the usual material for older children that has to be adapted for youngsters. Aimed at helping teachers open up the world of science to their eager young audience, Start Young! is a compilation of articles from NSTA’s award-winning member journal, Science & Children. Browse the book at http://store.nsta.org/showItem.asp?product=PB197X.

Story from NSTA Express

David Sobel to Speak at the Salt Lake City Library
February 24, 2006, Salt Lake City Main Library

Tracy Aviary, Utah Society for Environmental Education and University of Utah's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism are proud to sponsor a lecture by David Sobel entitled “Preserving the Nature of Childhood: Fostering a Bond between Children and the Natural World.” David's area of expertise is the development of sense of place— an individual's home ground as the continuum of nature and culture that defines community. His books include Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education, Children's Special Places; Mapmaking with Children: Sense-of-Place Education for the Elementary Years; and Place-Based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities. For more information contact info@usee.org.

EPA, Salt Lake City Green Environment and Economic (e2) Business Program
January 24 – April 11

The EPA, Salt Lake City Environment and Economic (e2) Business Program and T.A.O. Institute have partnered to develop P¬2EACE (Pollution Prevention and Environmental Action through Community Education). P2EACE educates businesses and individuals about the environmental, ecologic, economic, and energy conservation strategies that lead to pollution prevention in the community. For information about courses offered through this program call 801-521-0055 or visit www.theartsorganization.com.

Between 80 and 85 percent of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating the water. Using warm or cool water instead of hot water will save money and energy and get clothes just as clean (U.S. Department of Energy). Source: Alliance to Save Energy, www.ase.org

We want to thank the Utah Energy Conservation Coalition for renewing their Institutional Membership and The Corroon Foundation for their continued support in 2006