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April 2020
Volume: 30 Issue: 8
COVID-19 Updates
Following state guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID- 19 we are closed to the public through May 1st. We hope to re-open in our new space in Addison on May 4th.

Staff are available to answer emails and calls. Please feel free to reach out.

This information may change so please check scarce.org for updates.
The competition continues online!
Teams are encouraged to collaborate remotely to design and construct a sustainable building model and create a video of their project presentation. Entries will be submitted online.
For updated competition details visit scarce.org.

Open to DuPage County high school students.
Important Dates:
-- April 24: Registration ends
-- April 30: Projects due
Winners announced the week of May 18th
Sadly, our Earth Day Fair had to be canceled but we hope to create a sense of community in its absence - but we need your help!

Record a 15-30 second video that answers the question " What does Earth Day mean to you?" then send your video to rose@scarce.org .

Videos will be used to make a community mash-up video and shared online. Submissions are due by Sunday April 19th.
April is KidsGarden month! Share this simple activity with your students to learn about germination. All you need are a paper towel, staples, a ziploc bag, and a few dried beans. Share the progress of your set-up online and invite them to do their own at home.
p.s. Kidsgardening.org is holding a community celebration contest through April 30th - check out how you or your students can take part.
Arbor Day is April 24th
What is the largest tree in the world?
The U.S. is home to some of the largest ( and oldest) trees in the world! Which is really the largest? Check out this fun and educational video from Nat Geo Kids that gets to the bottom (or top!) of it. Speaking of, what stops trees from growing forever?

More tree fun:
  1. Invite your students to adopt a tree in their yard or community. They can research the species and its characteristics, calculate its benefits, and make a plan to help care for it.
  2. Host a tree-themed storytime. Read The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry and check out this extension activity for students in grades 1-5.
  3. Older students can also explore the fascinating methods trees use to communicate
Summer Continuing Education
Earn 3 graduate hours or 40 PDs
Our experiences and activities will help your students develop their science and engineering practices: asking questions, developing models, analyzing data, and arguing from evidence. They offer many connections to cross-cutting concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, systems and system models, energy and matter, structure and function, and stability and change.

Each class has experiences of broad importance in multiple science and engineering disciplines (disciplinary core ideas) with key organizing concepts. They provide key tools for understanding and investigating more complex ideas and problem solving using the cradle-to-cradle model, relate to interests and life experiences of students of all ages, and are highly teachable and learnable from k-12 grades.
Investigate the life-cycle of the stuff we make, use, buy, and throw away each day. Learn more from experts about the   human impact   on the environment and ways to make a difference.

Here's your chance to dive into water!   Led by experts in the field, you'll get a behind-the-scenes picture of the water infrastructure and   ecosystem services  we benefit from every day.

Fight climate change and help your garden succeed! Get your garden a dose of nutrient-dense plant-growing power courtesy of food scrap amended compost. Pre-order required. Pick up at SCARCE on May 30th.
Can your school help with coronavirus relief?
We raided the closets and shelves at SCARCe to donate face masks, goggles, and even transparency film to local organizations to make PPE for healthcare workers. Oak Park River Forest High School raided science labs to donate supplies. Perhaps you're wondering how your school can help our community during this crisis.

DuPage County is collecting protective equipment to distribute -  learn more here.

Do you have new transparency film to donate?
Some local schools are collecting new transparency film to make PPE for healthcare workers. If you have transparency film to donate, please contact us at  info@scarce.org or 630-545-9710.
From DuPage County: Waste & Recycling during COVID-19
Under the Governor’s orders, waste and recycling services are considered an essential service. As such, residents will continue to have waste and recycling carts picked-up during the “stay-at-home” order. However, services like bulk item or yard waste, may be impacted and can differ municipality to municipality. The DuPage County Environmental Division has been tracking services and working with haulers to compile local and regional information on what changes are occurring.
Their  website  provides resources for residents impacted by hauling changes and is updated frequently. Additional reminders include; please try to ensure all items are in waste and recycling carts (no loose items next to carts) and due to the abundance of gloves and face masks being used, please ensure these items are placed in the garbage as they are not recyclable in our curbside programs. Questions regarding waste and recycling in DuPage County can be sent to  recycle@dupageco.org.
Recycling Update: Please bag and trash recycling if diagnosed or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. See details
Moving Takes a Village
In March SCARCE moved -  10 semi-trucks worth of stuff at that - and all without an actual moving company. We owe a huge debt of thanks to the folks that helped make it happen. We couldn't have done it without you! Extra special thanks to the DuPage County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP).
Unpacking posters.
Assembling shelves.
Shelving books.
Join us for a countdown to Earth Day with season 2 of Earth Chats, our casual and informative podcast where we discuss everything from recycling to rain barrels. New episodes out every weekday through Earth Day on April 22nd.

Listen & subscribe wherever you get podcasts or on scarce.org
Upcoming Eco-Events
* Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many events are canceled.  *
We are doing our best to keep our listings up to date. Please double-check the before leaving home. If you don't see an event listed, it's likely been canceled. This information may change.
April 19
April 22
Earth Day - 50th anniversary!
April 24
April 24
April 29
April 30
May 3-9
May 5
Thank you to our March volunteers!

Due to our move and the coronavirus outbreak, we weren't able to host many groups this past month. However, we look forward to having more groups at our new place! There is so much more space - it's going to be such an improvement!

----- Benedictine University - Lisle
----- College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn
----- Downers Grove South High School NHS
----- DuPage County Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP)
We couldn't have moved without our volunteers!
Our book rescue couldn't function without these amazing individuals that dedicate their time each week to sorting, stocking, and organizing.

If you see them when you visit, give them a high-five!
Al - Andrea - Bonnie - Cindy - Davina -Diane - Denny - Gary- Gayle - Glenn - Greg - Gregg - Jane - Janice - Jen - Jill - Jim - John P. - John G. - Joyce - Karen - Kath - Kathy - Linda - Marcy - Marilyn - Mary Lynn - Maureen - Nancy - Penny - Sharon - Susan - Tip
School-Year Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm
2nd & 4th Saturdays: 9am-12pm

Helpful Links
Be a part of this initiative!
Support SCARCE while you shop!
Report stormwater issues online.
School gardening tips, grants, and more.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Recycling guide, trail system & more!
Ripples | SCARCE | 630.545.9710 | info@scarce.org | www.scarce.org
This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded in part by the DuPage County Board, Daniel Cronin, Chairman,the DuPage County Environmental Committee, Liz Chaplin, Chair, and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair.
SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director; Jan Breyne, Laura Fanning, Lauren Favia, Heather Goudreau,
Carrie Horak, Bev Jaszczurowski, Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, & Rose Naseef

Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
This newsletter is part of the Teacher Training Program funded by DuPage County.
Our Professional Development Provider Number: 190000000000000
The mention of a specific product or company is not an endorsement by DuPage County's Environmental Education Program.