Education Opportunities
[ S.C. Sea Grant Consortium - February 26, 2021 ]
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Dear South Carolina Educators,
Roses are red,
coral honeysuckle is, too;
It climbs and entwines,
making a spring debut.
Chances are you probably did not include the above poem in any Valentine's Day card this year, nor the flowers in a bouquet! However, this week's featured species is beginning to pop out its signature red flowers as we close out February and head into March. The native, coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), or woodbine, is a vigorous, climbing vine, named for the 16th century German herbalist, Adam Lonitzer, and the latin word for "evergreen". Although found across the state, it commonly thrives in the piedmont and coastal plain regions, growing in areas that receive full to partial sun. Readily identified by its red, tubular flowers, the coral honeysuckle contains a delicate, sweet fragrance and abundance of nectar that is popular with important pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. But the cool facts don't stop there...the coral honeysuckle is known to have medicinal purposes; in fact, Native Americans would use parts of the plant to treat asthma, sore throats, coughs, and bee stings. Therefore, in honor of our featured species, be sure to make a bee-vine to these exciting, educational opportunities and resources brought to you by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and our partners!
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Celebrating Black History Month |
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Coastal Heritage and Curriculum Connection
In the previous newsletter, a few issues of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's Coastal Heritage magazine were listed that highlighted African American history and culture in our state. Each issue has an online education supplement, Curriculum Connection, that provides standards-based extensions for K - 12 students. Below are a few additional issues of Coastal Heritage that underscore the important history and contributions of African-Americans:
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Funding Opportunity: S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Request for Proposals (2022 - 2024)
Concept Letters Due: March 5, 2021
Full Proposals Due: June 4, 2021
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's Request for Proposals (RFP) for 2022 - 2024 is now open! To access the full announcement and eligibility requirements, please visit the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's RFP information page.
Pollinator Conservation Webinar
March 18, 2021 from 4:00 - 5:30 PM
Deadline to Register: March 15, 2021
Register today for a FREE Pollinator Conservation Webinar! This webinar is hosted by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina and Champions of the Environment. Formal and informal K - 12 grade educators in S.C. are welcome to attend. Expert speakers will provide presentations on:
- Importance of pollinators
- Planting for pollinators
- Preserving pollinator habitat
- Creating Carolina Fence gardens
- Establishing Monarch Waystations
- Lesson plans and activity guides
Attendees will receive door prizes, educational toolkits, and additional resources. Visit scdhec.gov/champions to learn more.
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New Opportunities and Resources! |
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Macroplastics in South Carolina Waters: Documentary Showing
March 20, 2021 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM
EdVenture Museum (Columbia, S.C.)
All are invited for a documentary screening and panel discussion with the filmmaker and interviewees in celebration of World Water Day! This documentary follows the filmmaker’s journey to learn more about the extent of macroplastic pollution in the waterways of S.C. around two of its metropolitan areas, Columbia and Charleston. Environmental scientists, activists, and citizens educate viewers about the persistence of plastic material in the environment and show how the accumulation of plastic litter causes significant environmental, wildlife, and community damage. Masks and registration required. Refreshments will also be provided. Please click on the poster to learn more and register.
All Booked Up: S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's Coastal Reading Club
Calling all educators -- this is not just your average summer reading assignment! The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is launching a new book club in the summer of 2021 in an effort to share and discuss influential fiction and non-fiction books related to the coastal environment. Please fill out this short two-question survey by March 15, 2021 to indicate your interest. Questions can be emailed to EV Bell.
S.C. Environmental Awareness Award
Nominations Due: March 31, 2021
Nominations are now being accepted for the S.C. Environmental Awareness Award, which recognizes individuals who are doing extraordinary work for the natural environment. The S.C. General Assembly established the award in 1992 to recognize outstanding contributions made toward the protection, conservation, and improvement of the state's natural resources. Each year the public is invited to submit nominations that are reviewed by an awards committee comprised of representatives of the state’s natural resource agencies: S.C Forestry Commission, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, S. C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. The nomination guidelines, nomination form, and a list of previous award winners are available on the SCDNR website. Questions can be sent to Bill Marshall (803) 331-2608.
Conservation Education Conference on Virtual Learning
March 2 - 4, 2021 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Cost: $25/person
Join other conservation education professionals to build a community of practice around engaging the public in outdoor activities. Learn about tools and methodologies currently being used and explore subjects such as microphones and lighting techniques for virtual teaching and methods to engage teachers virtually in outdoor education. Please use this link to register and learn more about this conference.
Environmental Education Association of South Carolina Hybrid Conference
"Environmental Legacy: It's Our Story...Past, Present, and Future"
June 10 - 12, 2021
Registration Opens March 15, 2021
Mark your calendars for the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina's (EEASC) hybrid 2021 conference! More details to come, but an overview of the conference includes:
- Virtual Keynote: Thursday, June 10
- Virtual Concurrent Sessions: Friday, June 11
- Face-to-Face Field Experiences: Saturday, June 12
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, general registration will be $25, with optional field trip and t-shirt add-ons. Are you interested in presenting a session? Click here to submit a session proposal -- presenters will receive a $25 discount on registration. Session recordings will be made available to registered conference participants after the event. Visit EEASC's webpage to stay up-to-date on conference details and to learn more about this fabulous organization!
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"Back to Basics" Virtual Educator Science Café
"Mixtures and Matter"
March 24, 2021 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Registration Opens: March 1, 2021
Educators and parents-turned-educators are invited to register for the March Educator Science Café, "Mixtures and Matter"! Join ocean science and space experts for an "out of this world" experience as we travel from the hydrosphere to the stratosphere and beyond to explore topics such as the four states of matter, density influences on the ocean ecosystem, and much, much more -- all from the comfort of your own home! After registration, a theme-based recipe will be sent to you that you can enjoy while we come together to learn around the virtual dinner table. This event is brought to you free-of-charge by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Renewal credits offered. Send questions to EV Bell or Hannah Giddens.
New Curriculum: Water Shapes Our Planet and Our Lives
Explore a new comprehensive fourth grade, virtual-learning science unit on the water cycle, weather, climate, and natural processes that shape the Earth’s coasts and communities. This virtual science unit was supported with grant funds from the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association and provides a hands-on component where students explore local weather, discover and craft tools used by scientists to collect weather data, and evaluate long-term trends recorded by climate scientists. All materials serve as teaching resources for both educators and families. Contact SECOORA with questions.
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Have You Read This Far?
Congrats! If your school or organization is doing something for World Water Day (March 22, 2021) and/or Earth Day (April 22, 2021), please send a short description (1 - 2 paragraphs) and any photos or videos to EV Bell. Entries for World Water Day are due March 31, 2021 and entries for Earth Day are due May 1. All information will be compiled and shared across S.C. (and beyond) to show the great work being done to celebrate our natural resources!
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Have Something to Include? |
Have an opportunity or resource that you would like to add to the next S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Education email update? |
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Join hundreds of South Carolina educators like you! The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium sends out weekly marine science and coastal education updates with opportunities and resources. |
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