ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GRADE 6 ENVIRONMENTAL SSL REQUIREMENT MARCH 25, 2015 Outdoor Environmental Education Programs Science, Technology and Engineering Student Service Learning

WHY SSL IN GRADE 6? AND WHY THROUGH SCIENCE? First, way back in 1963…..

“OUTDOOR ED” IS BORN!

EARTH DAY ! APRIL 22, 1970

S1992SL 1992 SSL GRAD REQUREMENT! General Instructional Programs 13A D. Student Service. Students shall complete one of the following:.... (1) seventy-five hours of student service that includes preparation, action, and reflection components and that, at the discretion of the local school system, may begin during the middle grades; or (2) a locally-designed program in student service that has been approved by the State Superintendent of Schools.

Mandates a meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every school student in the watershed before graduation from high school. Experiences should be investigative or project oriented Chesapeake Bay Agreement

2008!

MSDE Code of Maryland Regulations for Environmental Education COMAR 13A Comprehensive PreK-12 multidisciplinary program of environmental education in every school system aligned with the Maryland Environmental Literacy Curriculum

COMAR 13A June 2011 High School Graduation Requirement Complete a locally designed high school program of environmental literacy MSDE Code of Maryland Regulations for Environmental Education

Mandates a meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every school student in the watershed at least once at each grade band before graduation from high school. Experiences should be investigative or project oriented. Chesapeake Bay 2014 Agreement

Outdoor Environmental Education Programs

OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GRADE 6 ENVIRONMENTAL SSL REQUIREMENT MARCH 25, 2015

What is Student Service Learning A teaching method that addresses real community need through meaningful service and curriculum-based learning. High quality service learning promotes civic knowledge, civic engagement, academic success, character and social development in students. SSL neither substitutes for, nor replaces service to families, neighbors, and/or religious organization members.

Maryland Seven Best Practices of Service Learning 1. Meet a recognized need in the community 2. Achieve curricular objectives through service-learning 3. Reflect throughout the service-learning experience 4. Develop student responsibility 5. Establish community partnerships 6. Plan ahead for service-learning 7. Equip students with knowledge and skills needed for service

MCPS SSL Program 75 Hour SSL Graduation Requirement Summer after Grade 5 to Grade 12 Specific MCPS Courses School sponsored clubs, activities, departments Approved Non-profit Organizations SSL Coordinator in every secondary school 3 systemwide deadlines to document service SSL hours reflected on report cards and transcripts MCPS SSL Awards for Exceptional Service 3 Phases of SSL SSL Implementation Plan approved by MSDE Secular Activities Public Place Supervised by an adult representing the nonprofit organizations or school 1 SSL hour for every hour of service outside of the school day (maximum of 8 hours in a 24 hour period) My not receive financial compensation May not involve door-to- door canvassing or telephone solicitation Individual SSL Request Form SSL Activity Verification Form

Three Phases of SSL: 1. Preparation 2. Action 3. Reflection

1. Preparation Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for service.

Direct service provides face-to-face contact with the service recipients. These activities include tutoring young children; serving meals at homeless shelters; working with the elderly in nursing homes. Indirect Service meets a need with no direct contact. These activities include food & clothing collections and environmental projects. Advocacy shares viewpoints on issues of interest. These activities include letter writing, public comment, and participating in community activities. 2. Action

Encourages students to rethink: the need they have addressed the service they have performed the impact of their service on the community what they learned about themselves 3. Reflection

SSL Coordinator The primary point of contact for students, parents, & staff regarding the MCPS SSL program, guidelines and requirements School Implements the MCPS SSL guidelines and requirements Participates in meetings with building administrator to discuss the status of the SSL program Chairs the local school SSL advisory committee Coordinates MCPS SSL awards program Shares monthly SSL notes with school newsletter editor Communicates with staff who provide SSL opportunities in courses Designates a place where students can drop off forms according to timeline Maintains an OASIS SSL Log and SSL folder for every student Parents - Students - Community Shares preapproved organizations & opportunities with students Provides all necessary MCPS SSL Forms Recommends students for award opportunities Works collaboratively with an SSL parent liaison at the school to promote the MCPS SSL program and opportunities within the community Reviews opportunities from community organizations for pre-approval

Automatic SSL Hours Process Achieve Curricular Objectives through SSL Activities

Kimberly Bloch-Rincan Coordinator, Student Service Learning

Integration Classroom Instruction Student Service Learning Outdoor Ed Curriculum

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) BIODIVERSITY RESTORATION PROJECT The Maryland Department of Natural Resources requests proposals from an experienced design team to promote public awareness of the ecological value of the Lathrop E. Smith Center ecosystem and develop a solution for threats to its biodiversity and health.

Drinking water Timber Wood fuel, natural gas and oils Plants used to make clothes/other materials Medicinal benefits Pollination Decomposition Water purification Cultural and educational values Recreation and ecotourism Ecological Services Benefits

Examples: Habitat loss (hummingbirds, bees) Overexploitation (Trout schools) Spread of non-native species (Wine-berry, mile-a-minute, garlic mustard, stilt grass) Disease (limiting factors, honey bees) Water Quality (macro invertebrate lab) Nutrient recycling (protist lab, bacteria soil lab) Soil erosion Design a Solution

Develop a communication tool that educates the public on the negative conditions affecting the ecosystem and persuades the community to participate in solving the problem. Promote Public Awareness

 Habitat model must be drawn to scale and show all relevant abiotic and biotic factors of the habitat design that are necessary for maintaining the ecological health of the ecosystem.  A review of the history of the habitat and an assessment summary of its current health.  A description of the abiotic and biotic factors of an ideal habitat, including an explanation of any unique needs. Curriculum Connections

 A food chain which includes an organism most directly connected with the design solution.  A food web which includes the 10 organisms most directly impacted by the design solution, identifies the predator and prey relationships of the ecosystem, and explains the positive impact to the food web.  Symbiotic relationships that exist within the ecosystem.  Energy pyramid Curriculum Connections

Connections