Free Glaciology and Marine Programs for Girls (Applications due 1/31)
Free summer science and wilderness expeditions in Alaska and Washington State for girls age 16-17. Inspiring Girls programs help girls learn about the natural processes related to glaciers as they develop critical thinking skills and explore the connection between science and art. Teams of girls and instructors will spend 12 days exploring mountain glaciers or fjords with tidewater glaciers. They will conduct scientific studies with professional glaciologists, oceanographers, artists, and mountaineers.The programs are tuition-free through support from individuals and organizations such as the National Science Foundation.
Mount Baker in Washington: July 16-27, 2017.
Bear Glacier near Seward, Alaska: August 11-22, 2017.
Visit the Inspiring Girls website for more information.
Student Climate & Conservation Congress (Sc3) June 25-July 1, 2017
Applications now open! Sc3 is a weeklong journey to empower outstanding student environmental leaders with the skills, knowledge, and tools to address climate change and natural resource conservation challenges and better serve their schools and committees. The program is open to current 8th-11th grade students. Students spend a week at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. The $1,050 fee (room, board, travel, and programming) will be paid by a scholarship from the DCPS Sustainability Team. The trip begins and ends at Union Station in DC. For more information, click here or email [email protected].
Summer Regional and National Conservation Opportunities (National applications due 3/1)
Youth ages 15-19 who are passionate about conservation can join the Student Conservation Association. Regional Crews take on essential service projects at national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. Members camp onsite or commute from home. National Crews build trails, conserve critical habitats, and experience the natural world firsthand while camping on site. Teams of teenagers from around the country learn outdoor skills and meet leadership challenges.
For information about local year-round SCA community service programs, click here.
Saturday Environmental Academy for 7th/8th Graders
The Anacostia Watershed Society’s Saturday Environmental Academy (SEA) offers FREE 10-week Saturday programs each fall and spring for seventh and eighth graders. Each Saturday from 8:45 am - 1 pm, students engage in environmental activities in their local environment. Activities may include boating trips, hikes, tree plantings, visits to community gardens and overnight camping trips. Students from DC wards 5, 6, 7 and 8 and MD students within and near the Anacostia Watershed are strongly encouraged to apply.
Environmental Essay Contest for 6th-8th Graders – Due 11/1/16
“What do you think is an important environmental issue facing the District and how can you be part of the solution?” Middle school students can submit their answer to the question to be eligible for awards and prizes. Winners will be recognized at the Environmental Essay Awards Ceremony on December 9th at the RFK Justice Building Great Hall on Pennsylvania Ave.
Submissions are due November 1st, 2016. You must include the title of your essay, your name, school, grade, phone number, email, and teacher’s name on the first page.
Visit doee.dc.gov for more information, or call (202) 535-1144.
Meaningful Watershed Experiences
MWEEs (pronounced “Me-Wees”) are multi-day programs that teach students about their local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay through classroom lessons, field experiences, and reflection activities.
Aquatic Resource Education Center
The Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) is a multi-use education and aquaculture center located in Anacostia Park in southeast Washington, DC.
Learn about the region’s water resources and go on a boat ride on the Anacostia River.
Free National Park Trip for 4th Grade Students
The National Park Trust (NPT) will provide bus funding for every DCPS 4th grade class to have a national park experience. This program is in partnership with the National Park Service and is in celebration of their 100th anniversary and the 2nd year of the President’s Every Kid in a Park initiative with its goal of getting all 4th graders to parks. Go to www.dcpseverykidinapark.com to view and register for the class trips that are available. As part of the Every Kid in a Park initiative, 4th graders can also receive an annual pass for free admission for the student and immediate family to visit any national park or public land for a year starting this month.
The National Park Service plans to visit each DCPS classroom this month to get the free passes to students. Please contact Jennifer Epstein, (202) 245-4712 or [email protected] to schedule a ranger visit that will take place this month. See the attached flyer for more details.
Every Kid in a Park
Fourth graders can visit the Every Kid in a Park website to obtain a free pass that provides access to federally managed lands and waters – including national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries.
Recycle Everything with TerraCycle
Give hard-to-recycle materials a second life and earn credits doing it.