YES! Events Move Online, Expanding Access for Students Statewide
With schools shifting between in-person, hybrid, and distance-learning models this year, YES! has transformed uncertainty into opportunity by adapting events like the Fall Summit, State Awards Ceremony, and Winter Workshops for online participation. These virtual learning experiences on Zoom are accessible to YES! students statewide regardless of whether they sit together in a classroom or join individually from home. All of the virtual events are recorded so that YES! teams can watch them anytime.
Our first online event was a May workshop called “What will YOU drive? Electric Vehicles and Clean Transportation,” featuring EV expert and advocate Jukka Kukkonen. The workshop helped participants understand how their own decision about what to drive impacts larger systems like climate, water quality, and human health. We learned about types of electric vehicles (EVs), ways to charge them, and how much money households can save by switching to an EV.
In October, YES! kicked off our new Virtual Series on Climate Change with a great presentation by Dr. Kenneth Blumenfeld, climatologist with MN DNR, called “How to Make Sense of Minnesota’s Changing Climate.” In addition to helping students understand the scientific evidence for climate trends in Minnesota, Blumenfeld shared personal stories about his path to a rewarding career in climate science.
As Ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, "the only thing that is constant is change." The YES! program will continue evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and teachers amid the unique challenges of learning and doing eco-action projects during a pandemic!
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Virtual Fall Summit Highlights
Over 70 students and teachers attended the first-ever virtual Fall Summit on September 30th. Our theme for this year was “Climate Change in Minnesota.” The virtual event included numerous interactive components such as polls, charades, and guessing games to keep participants engaged.
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In This Issue
YES! Events Move Online
Fall Summit Highlights
14th Season
YES! Alumni Highlight
AIS Surveying
Did You Know...
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YES! empowers youth to create solutions to today's ecological challenges through hands-on projects.
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A big shout out to our major supporters LYFT Career Pathways, Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), and Waste Management.
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2020-21 YES! teams include:
- Carlton
- Minnewaska Schools
- New London-Spicer MS
- New London-Spicer HS
- Mankato West
- Rockford
- Royalton
- Sleepy Eye
- Spring Field
- Yellow Medicine East
- Westbrook-Walnut Grove
- Virginia
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We are excited to kick off the 14th season of YES!. We have 13 teams this year and are ready to welcome more schools and communities that want to make a difference. If you are interested in starting a team in your community, please contact us!
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YES! Alumni Spotlight: Matthew Burns
Matthew Burns went to Westbrook Walnut Grove High School where he was active in YES! during his Freshman and Senior years (2014 & 2018).
Matthew explains that what you learn in YES! never leaves. He says "I think whether or not that plastic bag can be recycled before I take it, I think about saving the pop tabs, I think of all these little things that YES! taught me over the years."
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Aquatic Invasive Species Surveying
This past summer, West Central YES! Coordinator, Taylor Templer led students in aquatic invasive species (AIS) surveying and water quality testing. Students were trained by local experts about water quality testing techniques and AIS detection and took those skills out on the water!
If you want to read more on Lac qui Parle Valley's excursion, click here! To learn more about New London-Spicer's paddle, click here!
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Did You Know...
On August 31, 2020 Dave Pederson, retired, after being Executive Director of Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center for 17 years. Dave is one of the founders of the YES! program. A big Thank You to Dave for his wisdom and for always seeking a “win-win” scenario for everyone, especially the environment! Happy retirement, Dave!
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