BLOG
Join us for updates on programming, educational activities, and more!
August 6, 2021
Congratulations!
TLC Gets Funding to Put Garden Beds in Two More Schools
June 24, 2020
It's finally here - SUMMER TIME!
Parents and students are shouting for joy in celebration of the beginning of summer. The last three months of school were disrupted by COVID-19 leaving parents, students, teachers, and staff scrambling for an online transition. Unfortunately, some non-formal educators have had their programs cut-off and shut down, while others have worked tirelessly to make the transition to virtual. During these uncertain times, the best solution to these uncharted waters has been to work together and support one another.
​
The TLC team shifted our focus to creating alternatives for our physical programs during the quarantine. Students from Greenwood Elementary, Jordan Bank Elementary, and Nottingham Elementary were able to continue their lessons. Miss Kriss joined over 25 classes virtually, 2-3 visits each, over the past three months. Many classrooms were supposed to be hatching chicks as part of the Food is Medicine program, however, they were unable to. Miss Kriss hatched chicks from home and worked with teachers to continue lessons. Students watched the chicks grow over the remainder of the school year learning about size, shape, breed, life cycle, food production, and more!
​
As the 2020-2021 school year rolls around, school systems will overcome the challenge of creating a constant sanitized and safe environment for students and staff. TLC is preparing its' LEAF program to reach students and continue to support teachers and staff in a virtual and physical location. We hope to join students and teachers back in their classrooms in the fall. If we can't be there physically we will be there virtually with activities that continue to support environmental science curriculum and encourage hands-on learning!
Students building pollinator hotels
The online transition with new chicks
July 24, 2020
2020 School Year Update
​
​
As summer comes to end principals, teachers, students, and parents eagerly wait for the decision regarding the direction of school in the fall. Many districts are looking to begin school as a hybrid model, while some are beginning the year completely virtual. It is predicted that schools will eliminate field trips, group work, and visitors in an effort to keep students and staff safe.
​
TLC has been working with teachers to continue delivering the LEAF program. We will continue to provide supplies and materials and guide teachers through our lessons. Miss Kriss will continue to join classes virtually providing the same experience for students in the classroom and at home.
​
It is our goal to keep the activities hands-on by working with teachers to organize material pick up/delivery to parents and students. We are not only transitioning our lessons, but enhancing them to help students be successful with this new learning style!
​
​
August 3, 2020
Hurricanes Make Fantastic Lessons
​
​
Hurricane Isaias is making its way up the coast today. Due to hit our area Tuesday morning, it is impacting the Carolinas today. Hurricanes can be scary, but they can make a great interdisciplinary lesson!
​
Tracking hurricanes can be a geography lesson as students learn where it is projected to hit landfall and which states are being impacted. Students can use a map to create their own predictions just like the weather station.
​
Teachers can use this weather event to teach about climate change, extreme weather events, and their impacts. Storm surges are especially important during hurricanes. How can this be displayed? Simple! Using a shallow container of water and a fan, turn on the fan to blow towards the water. Have a student hold a ruler in the water furthest from the fan. Ask the students, what is happening to the water near the ruler? For an in-depth explanation of storm surges, visit nhc.noaa.gov. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Center has informative resources for parents and teachers.
​
During hurricane season it is also a good time to teach emergency preparedness. Being prepared for the aftermath of a hurricane is vital. Students can use a checklist (hurricanesafety.org) to evaluate their family's preparedness and to help parents fill in the gaps!
​
These are just a few examples, however, the possibilities are endless with hurricane lessons and activities. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for more hands-on science! Be prepared and be safe!
Tropical Storm
LEAF, or Land, Ecosystem, and Food, was developed for students to learn how to be good stewards of the land while also understanding how sustainable agriculture impacts the environment. Greenwood Elementary in Kennett Square was the first school to implement this all encompassing program. Students are visited 6 times a year from TLC staff to learn about topics such as, seeds, plants, water health, soil, agriculture, and weather. TLC built 6 garden beds, which are used to supplement the lessons. For example, soil samples from the beds are tested by 4th and 5th graders. Students also sprout seeds and transplant them into the garden. Any produce is donated to the local food bank.
TLC recently received a grant from E. Kneale Dockstader Foundation, which will allow us to build 12 new beds at schools in Oxford, PA. This will integrate all interactive lessons for students in grades Kindergarten, 3rd, and 4th grade.
Students will be able to start seeds, transplant, and care for them as they produce their own fruits and vegetables. 3rd and 4th graders will be able to utilize soil for testing and their own plants for measurements.
These garden beds not only bring completion to the project, but encourage community involvement. TLC and teachers will work together to develop a summer care plan for the garden beds. At Greenwood Elementary, teachers, staff, and families of the school sign up for time slots to care for their school garden.
TLC hopes to continue working with new schools in implementing this all encompassing program!
Completed garden beds at Greenwood Elementary
July 1st, 2021
Summer 2021 - School Programs Overview
Summer is here and TLC is revamping our LEAF program! It is our goal to continue to provide interactive programming for various school settings. During the school year, TLC worked with many teachers to develop hands-on activities with minimal supplies that students could participate while in their home.
1st graders from Greenwood Elementary were visited weekly by TLC's Director of Environmental Science Programs, Kriss Given.
Teachers chose several science topics to cover over the spring semester. Activities included minimal household objects to supplement the lesson. Lessons included: bats, pollinators, insects, pond life, and more!
TLC continues to work with Greenwood Elementary to further students' environmental science education for the 2021-2022 school year.
TLC also visited Jordan Bank Elementary and Nottingham Elementary of Oxford, PA. Jordan Bank's Kindergarteners loved seeing the live worms and telling their own stories about worm experiences. Nottingham Elementary also wanted a unique experience with a virtual field trip. Students were able to learn about agriculture in their backyard. Students became familiar with the origin of products they use daily.
The LEAF program continues to evolve to support teachers, students, parents, and other staff members. TLC successfully reached the goal of assisting teachers with science topics of their choice by developing hands-on, interactive lessons for the 2020-2021 school year.
Students measuring temperature
July 1st, 2021
​
Summer 2021 - School Programs Overview
Summer is here and TLC is revamping our LEAF program! It is our goal to continue to provide interactive programming for various school settings. During the school year, TLC worked with many teachers to develop hands-on activities with minimal supplies that students could participate while in their home.
1st graders from Greenwood Elementary were visited weekly by TLC's Director of Environmental Science Programs, Kriss Given.
Teachers chose several science topics to cover over the spring semester. Activities included minimal household objects to supplement the lesson. Lessons included: bats, pollinators, insects, pond life, and more!
TLC continues to work with Greenwood Elementary to further students' environmental science education for the 2021-2022 school year.
TLC also visited Jordan Bank Elementary and Nottingham Elementary of Oxford, PA. Jordan Bank's Kindergarteners loved seeing the live worms and telling their own stories about worm experiences. Nottingham Elementary also wanted a unique experience with a virtual field trip. Students were able to learn about agriculture in their backyard. Students became familiar with the origin of products they use daily.
The LEAF program continues to evolve to support teachers, students, parents, and other staff members. TLC successfully reached the goal of assisting teachers with science topics of their choice by developing hands-on, interactive lessons for the 2020-2021 school year.
Students used spices and herbs to view plankton diversity in an aquatic habitat