Elmer's Glue Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Recycling Program:

"Save The Bottles. Save The Sticks. Save The Planet."

Every year, more than 40 million school kids use Elmer's glue and glue sticks. The company has just announced a new classroom-based recycling program, "Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program," with support materials to keep children engaged and excited to help save the planet - one orange cap at a time! Procedures are quite simple, so the teachers won't come unglued & the kids will stick with the program:

þ      collect the empty bottles & glue sticks

þ      clean the empties "the best you can" with warm water (great student task)

þ      place them in a cardboard box (website has cute template to label the box)

þ      when box is full, drop off at a Wal-Mart between Earth Day (April 22) and the end of the school year

Check the website for classroom resources, information about prize opportunities, and to learn more about the program. Elmer has led the way; now all the highlighter/dry erase/washable/magic and all the marker makers need to sign on to recycle! Elmer's Glue Crew website 

2008 National Arbor Day Poster Contest for 5^th Graders:

Trees Are Terrific - Inside & Out!

Submission Deadline: February 20, 2008

What a fun way to teach your 5^th graders about trees! This contest helps children become aware of the importance of trees in our everyday lives, how they grow, and how they function. The theme for 2008: "Trees Are Terrific, inside & out!" (Pictured: 2007 IL winning poster) Log onto the National Arbor Day website to download these free materials:

þ  2008 activity guide

þ  Past years' activity guides (loaded w/classroom activities you can incorporate into this year's contest)

þ  Activities that correlate with National Science & Art Standards

     While programs must be centered on energy, they can move beyond science to incorporate reading, history, geography, math, technology, the arts and more. Teachers will be awarded cash grants of $5,000 or $10,000 to implement their programs; a full scholarship to attend a 3-day Energy Educator Training Conference; and classroom materials valued at $500. BP Energy Grant

School Chemistry Lab Safety Guide CD-ROM - An AV Resource

     The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health's School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide CD-Rom is now available. It contains the 60-page safety guide for HS science and chemistry labs, NIOSH 2007-107, which provides practical safety information in a checklist format that is useful to reduce chemical injuries in a laboratory environment. Go  on-line to  Download PDF or email: publications@cpsc.gov Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. The CD-ROM, which also contains a myriad of other chemical management resources for schools, is available by order only (currently only in single copies) at Order CD online.

Our Great Green Book Report - A Book Resource

The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks

     Beep beep - watch out for that wacky magic school bus! Other kids get to go to museums or the zoo, but Ms. Frizzle's class goes places where no others dare to go - this time, to a water treatment facility - and they get to see the place from the water's point of view. These young explorers evaporate into the clouds, and then fall in raindrops into a mountainstream that eventually makes its way into the water purification system! This wet 'n wild, wonderful book from Scholastic blends zany humor with basic science information, and is available to borrow from our Environmental Ed Resource Room.

The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up

That Ms. Frizzle never ages! And her clothes are always in style, somewhere (in Frizzle Fashionland?). The ever-amazing educator is back in action again as she and her 4^th graders explore the pollution emitted from their very own school bus. They travel right on through its diesel engine and learn about particulate matter, filters, clean fuels, idle reduction, and how the community can help reduce the health risks from diesel exhaust. Scholastic has partnered with the EPA's Clean School Bus USA program to write, illustrate and publish this newest book (2007) in the popular Magic School Bus series. ES teachers can stop by the Resource Room for a free copy of this just-released special edition book (thanks to John Walton & Chgo Area Clean Cities). Schools & libraries may order 5 copies from Nat'l. Service Center for Environmental Publications:  National Center for Environmental Publications.

Wanted: Pebble Droppers For Making Ripples

     Does your school have an environmental club? If so, please help us spread the word - make sure the sponsor receives this newsletter. (If not, we have lots of energy and ideas to help you establish one!) We ask your help to reach the sponsors of your student clubs - National Honor Society, key club, student council, science/technology/design clubs, the school newspaper, etc. Anyone can subscribe to our newsletters  for free - the signup is at the top of this newsletter, or surf to the Bookrescue home page.  Let 'erripple!

Wanted: Laptops: Have Laptop, Will Travel

     All the way to Guatemala! Do you have an old laptop you no longer want? Central DuPage AM Rotary is looking for old laptops to send to Koban, Guatemala. Rotary member & DuPage ROE Asst. Superintendent Dr. Tom Bookler told us older model laptops are fine, but they must be in working order.

Last spring, 80 used microscopes that Scope Shoppe (an Elburn-based microscope repair & sales company) donated to Tools for Schools, found a new homes - 15 to Koban. Pictured are delighted Guatemalan children, looking and learning, as they peer into a new world with their "new" equipment. Please call us if you have any laptops to donate.

Environmental Summit 2008 Carbon Footprint

On January 7^th Benedictine University hosted the DuPage Environmental Summit, Clean Water: We Can't Live Without It. SCARCE took on the challenge of greening the Summit by encouraging carpooling, then calculating the carbon emissions to see how we did. As attendees registered, we asked them how far they traveled, if they drove or rode, and what kind of vehicle they were in. This info allowed us to calculate gasoline use and carbon emissions, using average vehicle miles per gallon and gasoline combustion data from the EPA, to establish a "carbon footprint" ("a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide")of the event.

 The results:

Other green actions: attendees helped reduce the event's garbage production by contributing the cores of their organic apples (donated by Whole Foods) to the compost bucket, and washable plates & utensils were used at lunch.

We brought a nifty planter (actually, a sample of a green roof, pictured left, donated by Anthony's Roofing of Aurora) and our interactive watershed model to our display table. Altogether, we had a great day, meeting the summit-goers and answering scores of their questions about energy and water, talking with other exhibitors about their services and products, and listening to speakers discuss how we can conserve water and better manage stormwater (including our own Kay McKeen, who brought the house down - well, she DID close the show). Thanks to event sponsors - DuPage County, The DuPage County Environmental Commission, Benedictine University, The Conservation Foundation, Whole Foods, and SCARCE - for an educational, sustainable day!

Who wants to be called "Bigfoot"? Call us; we'd just LYVE to help you calculate the carbon footprint of the staff at your school. We make a big impression on our children when we leave a small impression on our planet!

6:00-6:30 PM PIZZA FOR ALL!

þ  Ideas & activities, speakers & field trips, projects & programs to invigorate club meetings

þ  Environmental volunteer ops for individual members and entire clubs

þ  Brainstorm, plan activities with peers/counterparts & learn from one another what works, what doesn't, and more!

þ  Posters, videos, activity sheets, brochures - lots of free resources

þ  From 6-6:30, HS & college reps network over pizza & refreshments. Who doesn't like pizza?

þ  NOT FOR ENTIRE CLUB TO ATTEND; SEND A REP OR TWO

þ  MEETINGS ARE FREE, BUT MUST REGISTER: 630-545-9710 OR ECOED@SBCGLOBAL.NET

þ  See related article about upcoming "Greening Your Campus" meeting for college professors, administrators, purchasing managers, student services specialists, etc.

Prepare for World Water Day on 3/22. All DPC public middle schools have received a model & we have several for other schools to borrow. Teachers must be trained to use this unique model of a watershed.

þ  World Water Day is March 22: take the class, borrow the model, & drench your students with wonderful water ed!

þ  Cross language and cultural barriers

þ  Take the complexity out of understanding serious environmental issues

þ  Discover and learn to use the model that offers a birds-eye view of a watershed

þ  Participants, trained to use it, may borrow the model for use in the classroom

þ  ATTN: teachers of geography, science, health, spec ed (this model is hands-on & so visual), all interested educators

GREEN BUILDING TOUR FOR TEACHERS 3^RD-UP

FRIDAY, FEBURARY 29, 2008,

þ  Where will you be on Institute Day? For a fascinating experience, join us for a surprising educational workshop

þ  Visit green buildings & be in the know about this important new approach to building design

þ  Discover the "emerald gem" of Chicago's green buildings: The Center for Green Technology

þ  Closer to home, climb upon a roof at Lyman Woods in Downers Grove - more stops, too

þ  Learn about conserving resources; healthy indoor air; energy efficiency; beautiful landscapes; carpets, tiles,                        fabrics, etc. made from recycled materials; much more for your own home and workplace

þ  Help prepare your students, especially those interested in environment, construction, engineering, design, architecture, technology, government and future city

þ  We guarantee you'll be the most interesting table topics person at lunch the next day!

þ  CALL NOW: Registration will close when bus limitation is met

We have planned these teacher workshops just for you. Join us - you'll be glad you did!

Please contact us: 630-545-9710 or ecoed@sbcglobal.net, to learn more and to register.

Presented by SCARCE (ISBE Professional Development Provider #100363), with funding through DuPage County's Environmental Committee, at SCARCE Headquarters in Glen Ellyn

DON'T MISS THE BUS ON THESE AWESOME SUMMERTIME ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS!

7^th Annual "Shed Those Watershed Blues"

Thursday & Friday, June 12 & 13, 2008 

Teacher, let's be kids again. We'll splash around in the water, but no one will get mad at us! Register for our educational (and delightful!) watershed workshop; we'll hop on the bus, pull up our boots, step - gently - into the river, and learn about the quality of the waters of our own streams. We'll conduct water tests, and we'll identify benthic macro-invertebrates - those interesting bottom-dwelling mussels, crayfish, etc., that serve as indicators of water quality. We will even climb to the rooftops to learn - up close and personal - about green roofs.

     We will spend the first day in the classroom building watershed models and more, to learn what we (and our students) can do to protect our watersheds and keep them clean. Day two is filled with visits to several watersheds and stormwater management solution sites. Jump into this class with both feet!

FEE:               $15 (AM & PM snacks provided)

CREDIT:         15 CPDUs (FREE) or 1 Graduate Credit from Aurora University ($100)

10^th Annual Where Is Away?

Monday-Friday, June 16-20, 2008

And 6/26, 8 AM-Noon, if taking for grad credit*

Official Aurora U. title and course number: Environmental Issues and Concerns, OEDC 6979

Let us immerse you in trash - well, in the problems, concerns and solutions that surround the "stuff" we make and buy and use and throw away, day in and day out! We'll travel by bus to explore landfills, recycling centers and other sites, to help us understand the many processes that deal with all this garbage. And we'll take time each day to experiment, build, discuss and digest where we have been and why. Lots of fun; lots of learning; lots of resources! 

FEE:              $75 (AM & PM snacks provided)

CREDIT:              7 CEU's (FREE) or 3 Graduate Credits from Aurora University ($225)

If taking WIA for graduate credit, follow-up meeting is required. All lessons must be presented to fellow participants during this week so lessons can be graded & recorded within Aurora U. time limits. (A 2^nd date will be chosen during that same week, by those who cannot make the 6/26 date.)

Participants need to pack waste-free lunches every day.

Those taking either summer course for graduate credit will have a project to complete.

SCARCE To Speak To K-12 Librarians At Lake Park East HS, Roselle

     SCARCE's own Linda Knapp will join K-12 school librarians on Institute Day, February 29. The 9:30-10:45am presentation will highlight the Book Rescue, Tools for Schools, our Resource Room, school programs and other resources we have available for them, their learning centers, and the staff and students of their schools.

 "Greening Your Campus" Roundtable:    A Big Success

On December 2^nd, 22 representatives of 8 local colleges and universities met at SCARCE to share ideas about creating sustainability programs on their campuses. There were professors, administrators, a purchasing manager, student services specialists, and one student representing their institution. While some of the colleges are currently planning to build a LEED-certified green building, most feel challenged by the expected cost of "going green." We really appreciated having John Walton, Forest Preserve District of DuPage, with us to share his experience in implementing energy efficient lighting and alternative fuel vehicle programs, because John has been quite successful in saving money and reducing environmental impact! Jen Walling from the Environmental Law and Policy Group (ECLP) was also with us, to talk about the student-funded campus green energy program she helped create as a student at U of I Champaign.  

     The 2^nd meeting for college and university leaders will be held on February 7^th from 1 -3:30pm at SCARCE headquarters. Malcolm Boyle of Waste Management & Research Center/ IL DNR will speak on implementing energy measures that make "cents," and Kay McKeen will share ideas on building green teams based on her work with Shedd Aquarium, NOW Foods, Morton Arboretum, and Subaru. Participants will also spend time sharing ideas/issues that have "popped up" since the first meeting.  (See related article re: a Feb. 5^th meeting for student reps from both high school & college eco clubs.)

Annual Gym Shoe Rescue Project Kicks Off

On Earth Day

    The 2008 athletic shoe collection is about to begin. Schools, churches, individuals - everyone is welcome to donate gym shoes: any brand, any condition, "light-up" shoes are okay.  NO spikes or cleats; NO dress shoes, slippers, sandals, or anything else that is not a gym shoe. The rescue will be up from Tuesday, April 22 and running until Tuesday, May 20. We have kits with AWESOME videos or DVDs that show the demanufacturing process of gym shoes, and samples of products made from the recycled "NikeGrind" that groups may check out to jump start their collections. This project's success is dependent upon a volunteer force - high school and older - to help sort, count, pack, move boxes, and remove the batteries from light-up shoes. Call 545-9710 to volunteer. For more details, jog onto Shoe Rescue Web Page

Winter 2008 VIP Dates

2005-2015  United Nation's International Decade for Action: Water For Life

2008  U.N. International Year of Planet Earth

2008  U.N. International Year of Sanitation: 2 issues to be addressed: Water Quality & Wastewater Treatments