Your resource for environmental education updates, workshop, and more.
December 2018
Volume: 29 Issue: 5
Thurs, Dec 6th 1pm-7pm, Free
Grab a friend and carpool over to SCARCE for our annual open house! Learn more about our environmental education programs and projects for your students while enjoying light refreshments.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at our resource center and shop our Used Book & Record Sale during these special hours.

DuPage County Institute Day Classes
Friday, March 1st, 2019 ~ Earn 5 CEUs
Join SCARCE for a free experiential learning class on DuPage County's Institute Day. Earn PD credits while enhancing your understanding through site visits and hands-on activities. Registration is open!
Submerge yourself in the dynamic world of water! You'll visit the Elmhurst Quarry with DuPage County Stormwater engineers. Then tour the Urban Stream Research Center with research staff. We'll wrap up with training on hands-on teaching tools at SCARCE.

Join us to tour buildings on the cutting edge of energy efficient design. Explore Argonne's LEED Gold Energy Sciences Building and learn about energy research taking place. After our second stop (TBA) we'll go from talking about energy to feeling it on SCARCE's energy bike - a hands-on teac

This Giving Season, Support a Bright Future for People and the Planet
Each year, SCARCE is privileged to help thousand of teachers and students get the books and supplies they need while diverting tons of materials from going into landfills. We need your support to continue our efforts to care for people and the planet. Whether it's $5 or $500 your donation makes a difference. Make your tax-deductible donation here.

More Ways to Support SCARCE
Kudos this month go out to students in District 93 for their video and project highlighting storm drain pollution prevention, Pumpkin Smash hosts across northern Illinois including many schools and student clubs, and more. ink to Additional Resources
Elmhurst Eco-Club students lending a hand at the City of Elmhurst pumpkin collection.
Students from CCSD93 installed storm drain medallions and made a video about the project.
Furniture Available in Carol Stream this Friday and Saturday Only
Does your school need file cabinets, tables, book shelves or teacher desks? Come check out gently-used furniture available for free this Friday and Saturday only. Items are available for use at a school or a non-profit.

ID REQUIRED: Current proof of affiliation with a school (teacher ID with date, photo ID, paystub etc) or non-profit (non-profit status and letter on letterhead, work ID etc).

Items are first come, first serve and must be taken the same day - you must do your own lifting.

Hours:
  • Friday, Dec 7th 1:30pm-4pm
  • Saturday, Dec 8th 9am-12pm

Location: 505 E North Ave, Carol Stream - just west of Schmale Rd on the north side.


Click here for sample photos of what may be available. Sorry - no holds. ext Link
The US EPA has adapted their waste reduction model (WARM) tool to be used on an individual scale. Students can download the excel file and use it to calculate how much energy is saved by their everyday or weekly recycling efforts and see how that translates into powering an appliance.
This year 38 sites collected over 90 tons of pumpkins to be composted. Many local schools participate in this fun annual event as hosts or by providing student volunteers. Learn more about the environmental impact and check out photos - it was a smash! Link to Additional Resources







Students at Downers Grove North High School had a smashing time collecting over 6.5 tons of pumpkins from community members.
County Partners with Elmhurst Schools for Cool Yule
The holiday season is upon us and Cool DuPage, in conjunction with the Conrad Fischer and Emerson Elementary Schools in Elmhurst, is decking the halls of the 421 building! In an effort to work on waste reduction, reuse and sustainability awareness during the holidays, students were encouraged to create ornaments or other decorations out of used and recycled materials. These decorations will be displayed on the tree and around the atrium of the 421 building from November 21st-December 30th, which is open to the public Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm. Was your imagination sparked? Consider partnering with Cool DuPage next year. Link to Additional Resources
It's never too early to get your students involved in the Sustainable Design Challenge! Whether you are a teacher, guidance counselor, or club sponsor you can sponsor a student team. Students will gain invaluable experience to add to their college resumes, make career connections, and could win cash prizes of up to $500.
The Sustainable Design Challenge is free and open to any DuPage County high school student.
With the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, the Extreme Event Game is an award-winning fun and educational activity to add to your unit on climate change. Get your students problem-solving and coming up with creative ways to build community resilience for a changing world.
DuPage County Received 2018 Illinois Sustainability Award
DuPage County was one of 27 organizations in Illinois that received the award for it's significant achievements in protecting the environment, helping sustain the future, and improving the economy. The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center administers the awards, which are presented to organizations in Illinois that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through outstanding and innovative sustainability practices. Read more about the award here. nk to Additional Resources
Join a creative challenge for students worldwide to explore, express, and advocate for issues related to climate change and our oceans. Take part in the 2019 contest by submitting a piece of creative art whether it be poetry, prose, visual art, music or film. Awards of up to $1,500 are provided in two divisions. Entries are due June 17, 2019. to Additional Resources
Holiday & Winter Break Hours
Stop by over winter break! SCARCE is open regular hours over break except for the following dates.

SCARCE will be closed...
  • Sat, Dec 22 - Wed, Dec 26
  • Sat, Dec 29 - Tues, Jan 1

Upcoming Eco-Events
Dec 5
Dec 6
Jan 11
Jan 13
Thank you to our November Volunteers!
-----College of DuPage - Glen Ellyn
-----Glen Oaks Therapeutic Day School - Glendale Heights
-----Glenbard South High School Key Club - Glen Ellyn
-----Glenbard West High School - Glen Ellyn
-----Lisle High School Ecology Club
-----Med-IQ
-----St. Margaret Mary Parish - Naperville
-----St. Matthew Parish School - Glendale Heights
-----Wheaton Warrenville South High School

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

  • Help box up books for SCARCE in Downers Grove/Darien - contact us for more details
  • SCARCE Book Rescue winter break hours: 9am-4:30pm 12/27, 12/28, 01/02-01/04
  • SCARCE Book Rescue Sat, Jan 12th
  • Lisle & Wheaton Electronics Recycling, Saturdays (Ages 14+)

Ongoing:
Our book rescue couldn't function without these amazing individuals that dedicate their time each week to sorting, stocking, and organizing.

Tip, Paul, Marilyn, Marcy, Jim, Susan, Bonnie, Cindy, John P., Diane, Greg, Jen, Maureen, Al, Andrea, Joyce, Karen, Gayle, Janice, Sharon, Jessica, Glenn, Penny, Diane, Greg, Nancy, Jane, Laura, and John G.

We can't thank them enough! If you see them when you visit, give them a high-five!
Book Rescue Hours
School-Year Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm
2nd & 4th Saturdays: 9am-12pm

Upcoming Holiday Closures
CLOSED......Mon, Dec 10th
.......Sat, Dec 22 - Wed, Dec 26
.......Sat, Dec 29 - Tues, Jan 1st
Helpful Links
Ripples | SCARCE | 630.545.9710 | info@scarce.org | www.scarce.org
This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded by the DuPage County Board,
Daniel Cronin, Chairman,
the DuPage County Environmental Committee,
and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair.
SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Laura Fanning, Lauren Favia, Heather Goudreau,
Carrie Horak, Kaitlyn Hornik, Bev Jaszczurowski,
Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, & Rose Naseef
Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
( S chool & C ommunity A ssistance for R ecycling and C omposting E ducation)
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.