Events & views - September 2009

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Back to School: September 2009 Newsletter

• The Year in Review... Ahead of Time
• EcoCenter Update
• Training News
• Passport to Adventure
• Who's News: Meet Ellen Turbow
• EV Snapshots
• Community Events

What’s New?

EcoCenter Phase 1 – As I write this, the finishing paint touches are being added to the EcoCenter. The windows are restored; the building is high and dry; and, new doors and roof ensure the building is safe. We have succeeded in completing Phase 1. We saved the building and it again looks like a somewhat quirky, somewhat stately boat. And though we are frustrated by the impacts of the economy and the need to pause construction for a while, we are celebrating this success.

Leading Innovation in Science Education – For the past five years we have managed a collaboration project in East Palo Alto and Alviso that delivers large blocks of science education to schools by leveraging the collaborative work of multiple peer organizations. We invented and tested a concept called ‘educating for depth’. The core idea is to provide multiple and consecutive science programs and field study opportunities to classrooms so that students receive reinforcing educational opportunities. Having hit a home run with this approach, we are scaling it in two ways so as to increase our impact:

Educate For Depth – We are changing our own delivery model and giving preferential registration to schools that commit to our programs over multiple years for consecutive grade levels. For example, we ask that schools commit to EV programs for the 3rd and 4th grades over two years thus creating a ‘continuum of learning’. This program is wildly popular with teachers, schools, and our funders. Fully half of our programs will be delivered to schools participating in this approach.

Science By Nature ­ We are now ready to launch a new website called Science by Nature that will allow many more teachers throughout the region to embrace ‘educating for depth’. Teachers will search this new website for reinforcing programs delivered by multiple organizations (eg, the EV Marine Ecology classroom program followed by Marine Science Institute’s  Discovery Voyage). We now collaborate with 12 organizations and we expect to facilitate hundreds of hours of science education in dozens of schools. Stay tuned for more information about this project.

Kit Renovation – We are in the middle of a 2-year plan to reinvigorate and refurbish all 280 learning kits. By now you will begin to see kits that look new, offer fresh materials, and scripts with resource materials that are better organized.

You Know What Isn’t New?

Despite all the exciting changes, what remains the same is our commitment to inspiring today’s youth to become tomorrow’s environmental stewards. And it is because of the dedication and passion  of our EV's that we meet our mission. Last year we set an EV record for the 21st century: 12,131 students participated in our programs.

Fall Training Schedule

Just as some schools have already started their school year, we have already started our fall trainings.  As always, any volunteer with up-to-date paperwork, including dues and TB tests, may drop in for any training class.  We only ask that you RSVP to Brittany so if there are last minute changes to the agenda, she can make sure you are informed.

Our current training class is Living in California (Classroom Module)

This course covers four of our nine subject areas: Earthquake Geology; Water Science & Conservation; Early California Indian Life: an Environmental Focus; and Energy & Natural Resources.

Current Session:

South Bay EV office

Wednesdays 9:00am-1:30pm

August 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

For more information about additional training classes this fall, including Explorations in Ecology from the Peninsula office, or the Field Trip course, click here: http://evols.org/training.htm

Environmental Volunteers

presents

Nature Science:  Passport to Adventure

WHEN:    Sunday October 11, 1-4 pm

WHERE:  Picchetti Ranch and Open Space (near Stevens Creek reservoir)

WHAT:    We have invited children to bring their parents for a fun-filled afternoon at Picchetti Ranch Open Space. Everyone will have a chance to try some of our best-loved kits, go on a short guided walk, and of course learn more about the Environmental Volunteers. 

WHO:      Families at six of our busiest schools – Collins, Eaton, Lincoln, Bishop, Cherry Chase, and Cumberland

WHY:      We want to introduce the EV to the parents of children we already serve.  We want these parents to consider donating or becoming volunteers – or both!  And we LOVE the idea of getting families out to their local Open Space!

Ellen grew up in the Los Angeles area, went to Stanford University, and, as she puts it, “I never went back!” She and her husband Mike, a retired physician, have 2 sons, who live in the area, and 2 grandchildren. Ellen began her professional life as a high school English teacher, but decided, after several years, that it wasn’t her cup of tea. She also worked for a time in the Community Action Program (part of the Great Society program’s War on Poverty) where she became interested in the law.

              As far as avocations go, travel is an abiding interest for Ellen. She and Mike’s trips have taken them to diverse parts of the globe, including China, India, Morocco, and Myanmar. However, her favorite destination will always be Italy. Ellen also loves to hike, and trekking in the hinterlands is often a part of their travels. Another passion for Ellen is cooking. EVs enjoyed her pasta timbale, a smash hit at the annual meeting. And imagine this: she recently prepared dinner for 24 friends in celebration of Mike’s 70th birthday! Gardening and love of music round out the varied interests of this busy woman. Ellen’s hoping to begin writing short stories again; she’s previously won several prizes in the Palo Alto Weekly’s writing contests.

              Recently, the Turbows played B and B owners, as they entertained winners of their Wild Crush auction item: a few nights at their house in Carmel during the Bach Festival. Thank you, Ellen, for your generosity and commitment!

Below is Ellen's fabulous eggplant pasta dish she brought to the Annual Meeting. Sound delicious? Well, it was!!!

PASTA TIMBALE

• Ingredients: 1 lb (or less) penne pasta, 3-4 globe eggplants, 3-4 cloves garlic, two leeks (white parts only, sliced), 2 cans stewed tomatoes, 1 1/2lb mozzarella (grated), 1 1/2 lb pecorino romano cheese (grated), red pepper flakes, olive oil (all proportions are approximate)
• Cook penne until about 3/4 done (very al dente).
• Slice eggplants lengthwise into about 1/2 “ slices, sprinkle with kosher salt and let drain in colander.
• Saute leeks in olive oil until soft, add crushed garlic and red pepper flakes.  Add drained and chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.  Add juice from tomatoes and boil down until thickened.  Add tomato sauce to pasta.  Salt and pepper to taste.
• Spray an oven-proof bowl (I use stainless steel) with Pam.  Layer eggplant around bowl lengthwise, overlapping a bit around the rim.  Cover bottom and sides completely.
• Layer pasta, mozzarella, pecorino-romano, more pasta, etc into eggplant-lined bowl.  Fold eggplant overlap over top.
• Bake covered with foil 30 minutes at 400º
• Bake uncovered 30 minutes more.
• Cover with plate, turn upside down, and unmold.

On May 28th , Brittany led a group to Fitzgerald Marine Preserve on a open networking event. The group included EV volunteers, potential volunteers, family and new friends of the EV. Here Brittany and the group are standing around a tide pool. On their excursion, the group spotted a polychaete, sea urchins and a starfish eating chiton.

On July 23, John led a corporate group from Price Waterhouse Coopers on a Invasive Plant Pulling Project at Byxbee Park in the Palo Alto Baylands. Here is group shot of the great volunteers. This was one of several PWC community service projects being held throughout the Bay Area for their theme of "youth education."

Here are events in the community that we thought you might want to attend:

"Nature, Creativity and Health," an Evening with Richard Louv

Friday, September 25, 7:30-9 pm

Foothill College -Smithwick Theater, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills;

Cost: $10

A talk by Richard Louv highlights a "Let's Play Outside" campaign in the Bay Area. Richard Louv is a futurist and journalist focused on family, nature and community. For more information visit the Children in Nature Callaborative page here.

"Our Ohlone Ancestors: Wisdom From the Past," with Mark Hylkema

Monday, September 14th, 7:00pm

Conexions Center, Palo Alto

Pre-registration is $15; $10 for Conexions members, and $20 for families. Door price is $20 per person.

Mark HUlkema is a Peninsula native, is a State archaeologist with 29 years experience in California archaeology and Native American culture.

To register, contact Laurel Smith at lsmith@exploringsenseofplace.org, or you can also register online at www.exploringsenseofplace.org.