[volunteer]: Polliwog Preschool @ Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center

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At Polliwog Preschool, held at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue, we focus on developing the whole child – socially, emotionally, mentally and physically – while initiating them into a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world. The program is play-based and student-driven with stations to choose from, discovery exploration times and specific activities that relate to a seasonal theme each week. Activities are designed to address each child’s developmental needs while encouraging curiosity, fostering love of nature and developing the whole child.

 

The Polliwog Preschool program at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue is looking for volunteers. This is not only a great opportunity for any PoE student looking to get experience with environmental education, but is also a way to connect with PoE alumna Jackie Wilson.

We would be happy to have volunteers for 1-2 days per weeks through the end of our school year (June 7).  Any day of the week Monday-Friday is possible.  For the position description and information on how to apply, see:

http://pacscivolunteers.blogspot.com/2012/08/polliwog-preschool-volunteer-bellevue.html

 

Thanks so much!

 

Jackie Wilson | PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER

Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center Site Supervisor | P (425) 450-0207 | F(425) 450-0219

Pacific Science Center is an independent, not-for-profit educational institution that inspires lifelong interest in science, math and technology.

The Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center is a collaboration of Pacific Science Center and the City of Bellevue.

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Consider Living in the Sustainable Living Community in Poplar Hall

 The College of the Environment  and Housing  &  Food Services (HFS) are excited to continue their partnership in offering a residential community for students interested in sustainability and the environment.  The Sustainable Living Community, locatedin one of the newest residence halls on campus, LEED-certified Poplar Hall, will offer residents the opportunity to explore environmental topics and live and learn with other students interested in sustainability, as well as offer the social events, friendships, academic support and opportunities to become involved found in all UW residential communities.

 The College of the Environment staff are Campus Partners for this community and will provide insight and access to programs and opportunities such as tours of campus and area sustainability resources, informal gatherings with faculty renowned for their environmental research, and information on environmental degrees and academic opportunities. Students will enjoy the opportunity to participate in the One Thing Challenge and to create a Sustainability Pledge to their own unique commitment to sustainable living.

Poplar Hall is conveniently situated in the vibrant West Campus community close to classes and The Ave. With the largest residence hall rooms on campus, Poplar Hall offers spacious double rooms with bathrooms, energy- and water-efficient design with a thermostat in each room, Wi-Fi and Ethernet ports,  lounges , study rooms, music practice room with piano and community kitchens.  The Learning Resource Center West is on the main floor, with tutoring, academic advising and great space for activities and studying .  Adjacent residence halls offer a fitness center, dining facilities and an auditorium for events and programs.

 Eligibility

Current residents requesting assignment to the Sustainable Living Community for 2013–14 must submit their housing application between April 3 and April 11, 2013, for priority consideration, and request the Sustainable Living Community in the Theme Community Preference portion of the application.

New students receive housing assignments based on their date of application, which determines the Priority Group. New students requesting the Sustainable Living Community for 2013–14, who apply between May 8 and May 15 2013, have the best opportunity for placement in the Sustainable Living Community through random selection from that Priority Group.

A request for placement in the Sustainable Living Community will supersede a request for other residence halls, and students may be assigned to a different room type than they would otherwise be assigned in order to accommodate their request to live in the Sustainable Living Community.

For more information, check out the HFS website at:  https://www.hfs.washington.edu/

We hope you’ll consider this exciting housing option!

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Save the date!  May 2nd, 2:30pm in Mary Gates 173 R.  

Interested in learning more about adventures in PoE?  

Want to hear about the travel possibilities and what can be done with this degree?  

Want to get a bit of informal advising?  

Come to this session and hear first hand from one PoE’s very own faculty, Tim Billo, about the trip he leads to Peru as well as learn a little bit more about the PoE major. 

Questions?  Email Julie Johnston at poeadv@uw.edu

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This quarter we have another exciting line-up of speakers, both students and faculty (see schedule below). So far we’ve already been treated to one excellent, philosophical talk by PoE Faculty Megan Styles on the use of historical family artifacts as an entry point into understanding environmental history.

This week we move onwards and downwards (into the mud of local estuaries, that is) with a presentation by PoE Capstone Advisor, Sean McDonald, about his own research on the “Conflict between scientists and social scientists in WA geoduck aquaculture.” Don’t miss what will surely be a fascinating talk on the legendary geoduck clam!

PoE Lunch meets every Thursday from 12:00-1:00 in PoE Commons, Wallace Hall. Everyone is welcome to join us. Bring your lunch. Bring a friend. Get academic credit if you want it. Treats provided by PoE. Our website is here: http://poelunch.tumblr.com/

Spring Quarter 2013 Speaker Schedule:

April 4, Megan Styles (PoE faculty), “Understanding environmental history through my family’s history and photos.”

April 11, Sean McDonald (PoE faculty), “Conflict between scientists and social scientists in WA geoduck aquaculture.”

April 18, Kiki Jenkins (SAFS faculty), “The intersection of art and environmental science.”

April 25, LuAnne Thompson (Program on Climate Change), “Global Health, Climate Change, and Kenya.”

May 2, Celese Spencer/Suzy Karl (UW Biology), “Environmental interpretation and why it’s important.”

May 9, Jane Dolliver (COASST), “What is COASST and what are some cool opportunities for you in COASST?”

May 16, Beth Wheat (PoE faculty), “My studies of fresh water shrimp in Costa Rica.”

May 23, Sophie Hart, “My experience with ‘social farming’ in correctional institutes, and why it’s important.”

May 30, Sarah Sanborn (PoE student), tbd

June 6, An Huynh (ESRM student), “My homestay with a Quechua family in the high Andes of Peru.”

If you would like to speak this quarter or in a future quarter, please email to timbillo@uw.edu. We’re especially hoping to get some undergraduates too—talk about a cool study abroad experience, or an internship, or any topic you’ve been thinking about. You can either show us some slides, or lead a discussion by posing thought-provoking questions, or both! You will get 45-50 minutes on the “stage” but you don’t need to take all of it!

Credit available: If you like, register for 1 credit towards your Perspectives and Experiences requirement.  SLN #20973  Course Name:  ENVIR 495

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ENVIR 480 sponsors a Panel on Sustainable and Responsible Investing

Tuesday April 16th, 12:30pm-2:00pm
University of Washington ACC/Wallace Hall Commons

Due to space constraint, we can only accept 15 people in addition to the 24 students. Please click on this link to RSVP!

Join the ENVIR 480 class as we hear from panelists with experience in institutional investing, private wealth management, and employee pension funds. Panelists will describe their roles and responsibilities, share stories, and highlight the challenges and opportunities of various SRI strategies including stakeholder activism, screening, and proactive investment in community and/or “green” funds. The panel will inform student research projects about the UW’s endowment, to be conducted later this quarter.
 
1st 45 minutes: Panelist introductions and addressing of questions
2nd 45 minutes: Q&A, discussion. (Question asking reserved for ENVIR 480 students).
Panelists include:

  • Ann Sarna, Associate Treasurer, University of Washington Treasury Office
  • Scott Davies, Senior Investment Officer/COO, University of Washington Treasury Office
  • Bruce Herbert, Newground Social Investment, SPC**
  • Alison Van Gorp, Senior Advisor, City of Seattle Office of the Mayor***
  • and potentially others

* To learn more about SRI, see: http://www.newground.net/sri.asp

** Interview with Bruce Herbert about how Newground helped convince McDonalds to decrease pesticide use: http://www2.kuow.org/program.php?id=22354

*** Announcement about the city of Seattle’s commitment to divest from fossil fuels in its pension system:  http://mayormcginn.seattle.gov/an-update-on-fossil-fuel-divestment/ 

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Environmental Writing: Inspire, Observe, Inhabit! 

Burke Museum
Sat., May 4, 2013 | 9 am – 5 pm 
$100 registration fee; 10% discount for Burke Members

Made possible by the Rebecca S. and Robert M. Benton Endowed Fund

Sign up soon, class space is limited; lunch provided
.
Scholarships available with valid student ID; request and application.

Join award-winning authors David George Gordon, Brenda Guiberson, and David Montgomery as they lead classroom and field-based sessions. They bring years of experience as writers, researchers, and teachers. Each is an attentive observer who weaves together history, science, and field time into well- crafted, thought-provoking writing about the natural and cultural world. Plus, with Brenda we have the insights of a children’s book author, who is sure to give everyone a new and captivating perspective on the environment.

We in the Pacific Northwest are fortunate to live not only in a place where nature abounds but also to live in place where place-based writers abound. Whether it is exploring the deep time of geology, considering the myriad ways of slugs, bugs, and everyone’s favorite, cockroaches,  or connecting children with the natural world around them, these authors will inspire us to continue writing about the environment in all its guises.

For more information, please email burked@uw.edu or call (206) 543-5591.

Ginger Armbrust, speaking at Seattle Aquarium, April 11th – comp tickets available for students!

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Ginger Armbrust, speaking at Seattle Aquarium, April 11th – comp tickets available for students!

COSEE OLC, a co-sponsor of Sound Conversations, invites PoE students for an evening with Ginger Armbrust on Thursday April 11th. Complimentary tickets are available for students by contacting Susan Bullerdick at coseeolc@uw.edu or tickets can be purchased at http://www.seattleaquarium.org/sound-conversations.

A great evening of refreshments & learning all at the Seattle Aquarium!

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Come to Your Senses! Foundations for Ecological Literacy
A Summer Workshop Series

In six 3-hour sessions, Foundations for Ecology Literacy workshops will provide you with a unique set of tools for observing, understanding, and interacting with the natural world. 

For more information and registration, check out: 
Six 3-hour sessions will cover:

  • Perception, Observation, Awareness (The foundation skills for pattern recognition)
  • Animate Earth/Gaia Theory (Witnessing all around us how we fit into the long story of our planet’s habitability)
  • Naturalist Knowledge and Tracking (The structure of ecological relationships in our surroundings)
  • Bird Language and other messengers (Birds extend our awareness beyond our senses if we know how to watch and listen)
  • Oral Story and Mythtelling (Story is the way we communicate: learn how ecological literacy forms our ability to perceive the stories of which we are a part)
  • Designer’s Mind and Livelihood (A designer’s mind is critical for moving from from consumer to citizen, job to livelihood, house to home, individual to community.) 
You can find an event page on Facebook by clicking the link below. Please consider sharing to help spread the word! 

https://www.facebook.com/joanna.wright.9279?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/310400849088363/?fref=ts

Please share with anyone you know who might be interested. This series could particularly benefit graduating high school seniors, college students, young adults, parents or parents-to-be, educators/mentors, or professionals who find their careers leave little time to slow down and observe. 
Contact Robert Mellinger at (206) 486-5097 or robertmellinger@gmail.com if you have any questions.