The Central Oregon district's sixth-graders learn how to make responsible choices about garbage, water, energy, and consumption in their own lives. A structured action program, Journey for the Planet, developed by Global Action Plan of Woodstock, New York, guides students toward lifestyle changes that preserve resources and reduce pollution. A workbook directs students on a journey toward preservation and protection of the Earth. Besides directing students toward personal change, the program pulls in people from the wider community. After students touch the worms and ask questions, an AmeriCorps member helps them build their own worm bin from recycled cookie containers.
Students watch the worms over time as they reproduce and turn garbage into usable compost.
A university extension agent brings a solar cooker to class, and explains how other fuels deplete resources. When girls reach adolescence, their self-esteem often plunges and their aspirations falter, according to recent studies by the American Association of University Women and others. What's more, they typically see few female role models in the fields of math, science, and engineering fields that offer high salaries and prestige in an increasingly technology-based economy. To encourage adolescent girls to set their sights high and to consider careers in math and science, the Saturday Academy at the Oregon Graduate Institute for Science and Technology is hooking girls up with mentors and role models. In partnership with Portland businesses and universities, the project lets girls from four Portland-area middle schools and three high schools see science and math in action.