By PLT Staff

AAAS Leadership in Science Education Prize
Application Deadline: April 24
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is now accepting nominations for the 2009 AAAS Leadership in Science Education Prize for High School Teachers. The $1,000 prize honors a high school science teacher who has contributed to the AAAS goal of advancing science education by developing an innovative and effective strategy, activity, or program. In addition, the winner will be invited to attend and make a presentation at the annual Shanghai International Forum on Science Literacy of Pre-college Students as a guest of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology.

Nominate a Young Environmental Activist for a $2,500 Barron Prize
Application Deadline: April 30
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Every year, ten national winners receive $2,500 each to support their service work or higher education endeavors. Half of each year’s winners are chosen for their work to protect the environment and half are selected for their efforts to help their communities and fellow citizens.

ING Unsung Heroes – 2009 Awards
Application Deadline: April 30
Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung Heroes® could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. Grants are given to K-12 educators utilizing new teaching methods and techniques that improve student learning. Projects are judged on their innovative methods, creativity, and ability to positively influence students.  Each year, 100 finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 grant, so apply today!

Brower Youth Awards 2009
Application Deadline: May 15
Brower Youth Awards seeks outstanding youth leaders, ages 13-22, with the power and bold vision to create environmental change. Each year, the Brower Youth Awards honors six young people with a $3000 cash award and week-long trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. That week, award recipients will participate in media and public outreach and be recognized at an awards ceremony attended by 900 members of the public.

Single Stream Recycling Video
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” “A Look at Aluminum,” and “Make Your Own Paper,” and PLT’s Municipal Solid Waste secondary module)
Many of us are familiar with sorting recyclables at home or school. In a single stream process, all recyclables can go together in one bin for pick-up. RecycleBank has developed a short interactive animated film about recycling collection, processing, and remanufacturing. It is useful in classrooms or for students, parents, and teachers who want to learn more about recycling.
 
Climate Classroom
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Plant a Tree,” “Waste Watchers,” “The Global Climate,” and “Our Changing World”)
From the National Wildlife Federation, Climate Classroom provides climate curriculum resources for grades 4-6 and for teens. The resources include simple activities, online games, action steps, and lots of photographs.  

CNN Student News
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Power of Print,” “There Ought to Be a Law,” “Renewable or Not,” “Energy Sleuths,” and more. Also consider using the available maps with PLT’s Places We Live and Forests of the World secondary modules)
Geared for secondary school students, CNN Student News posts the latest news and supplements articles with maps, transcripts, videos, classroom activities, quizzes, one-sheet backgrounders on newsy topics, and links to related articles. The Classroom Edition section offers a guide to select CNN television programs, and lists grade levels, subject areas covered, learning objectives, and curriculum standards.

Our Generous Garden
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Pass the Plants, Please” and “Improve Your Place,” and GreenWorks! and GreenSchools!)
Based on a successful school garden project, “Our Generous Garden” is a children’s literature book written from a student’s perspective. Appropriate for ages 3-10, the book complements both classroom curriculum and home-based learning. It also includes garden recipes and activity ideas to encourage teachers, parents, and children to use gardens as outdoor classrooms. The GardenABCs website is also packed with other resources, including school garden success stories, indoor and outdoor project ideas, and field trip recommendations.

“KidsGardening” and “My First Garden”
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “How Plants Grow,” “Have Seeds, Will Travel” and “Bursting Buds”; and GreenWorks! and GreenSchools! programs)
Visit the KidsGardening website for activity and curriculum enhancement ideas, horticultrual background materials, information about grant and award opportunities, and a monthly e-newsletter.  If you’re just getting started with a garden, visit the University of Illinois Extension’s website for in-depth gardening information at an introductory level, including a dictionary to help you create a planting schedule. 

Composting with Worms
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Nature’s Recyclers,” “The Fallen Log” and “Soil Stories”; GreenWorks! and GreenSchools! programs)
You may have heard about this popular method of composting from Mary Appelhof in her book, Worms Eat My Garbage. Appelhof found that red wiggler earthworms don’t mind living in a box, and will gladly eat the same things we do. The worm castings, or vermicompost, are a high-quality soil amendment that can be used for house and garden plants. To get started with worm composting, check out City Farmer’s website and watch a video of a Master Composter demonstrating this technique! 

Teacher’s Domain: Photosynthesis
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Every Tree for Itself,” “Three Cheers for Trees,” “To Be A Tree” and more.)
This video segment from Interactive NOVA: "Earth" explores the history of plant biology. It takes the viewer from the earliest scientific hypotheses that plants ate dirt, to our present-day understanding of photosynthesis, the process by which plants use the sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, a storable form of chemical energy.  Recommended for grades 3-12. 

Here Is the Wetland
(resource for PLT’s PreK-8 activities “Web of Life,” “Water Wonders” and “Watch on Wetlands”)
Looking for a great book to introduce young children to the “Web of Life” and the interconnectedness of all living creatures?  Told as a lyrical tale with simple text, Here Is the Wetland starts and ends with the water while highlighting many animals that can survive and flourish atop the wetlands’ surface as well as in its shadowy depths. Written by Madeleine Dunphy, 2007, ISBN 9780977379590, appropriate for grades K-4.