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Our office provides a variety of educational opportunities and resources on conservation issues. environmental club advisors click here to register for swcd information & assistance Download Adobe Reader [ For more information on the District Education Program, please contact Beth Schnabel, Education Specialist by e-mail or phone at (330) 722-2628 ext. 113. |
| School Programs |
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Below is a list of school programs available from our office. These programs are typically performed by the Education Specialist with assistance, as needed, from the classroom teacher. Beauty and the Beasts - Point Source and Non-point Source Water Pollution
Decomposition Timeline Ground Water A cut away profile of the earth shows how water flows through the ground. When "pollution" is introduced, students can see how it effects well water, ponds, and ground water quality. Video and instructions are available. Grades 6-12. (45-55 minutes)
Lines on the Land
Recycling Saves Different items (aluminum and steel cans, milk jug, liter pop container, yard waste, paper, oil, glass) go through the stages of recycling. Samples of the items are on display. Video and instructions are included. Grades 4-10. (45-55 minutes) Sammy Soil Saver Sammy, a hand puppet, illustrates erosion on one side of a hill and conservation practices applied to the other side of the hill. Script involves teacher. Grades K-3. (30 minutes) Soil Conservation - With and Without Conservation Practices Two Enviroscape© models are used to show areas in a residential region, a farm, a factory, a golf course, and roads through a hilly country. On one model, students scatter "pollutants" (e.g. red Kool-aid used as a pesticide), "rainwater" is sprayed and the waterways become polluted. The other model shows conservation practices applied to the same landscape to demonstrate how they help prevent the waterways from becoming polluted. Video and instructions are available. Supplies must be replaced. Grades 4-10. (45-55 minutes) Storm Drain Stenciling The Enviroscape© model is used to explain point source and non-point source pollution. A video entitled "Down the Drain" also explains non-point source pollution and what you can do to minimize your impact on storm water quality. Classroom discussion consists of maps and overheads identifying watersheds, land use, and water quality in Medina County. The program ends with a storm drain stenciling activity typically conducted on streets near the school. Grades 3-12. This program is designed for 3 or 4 sessions (45 minutes each). Stream Study The Enviroscape© model is used to explain point source and non-point source pollution. Classroom discussions include: identifying watersheds in Medina County, defining storm water quality, describing the functions of riparian corridors and the benefits to a stream ecosystem. This program ends with a biological sampling activity typically conducted at a stream near the school. Grades 3-12. This program is designed for 2 sessions (45 minutes each). Willy Worm and Composting Willy, a hand puppet, shows how compost is made using leaves, food scraps, straw, and paper. Grades K-3. (30 minutes)
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| Community Programs |
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Stream Steward Education is an important part of our work, and we designed the Stream Stewards program to get community groups involved. This project is intended to be flexible so that people of all ages and abilities can participate. This patch program focuses on activities directly related to non-point source pollution and storm water issues. The following booklets below will help to further describe the program. Youth Activity Booklet
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| Teacher Workshops |
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Throughout the year our office conducts various teacher workshops, which help to further educate teachers on conservation issues and how to incorporate conservation education in the classroom. Check out our Meeting and Events Section to see when workshops will be offered this coming school year. Below is a listing of workshops that have been offered in the past. Please let us know if your interested in any of these topics! Focus
on the Land Teachers
learn the scientific skills of collecting and recording information from
the surrounding environment. Using
writing, sketching, photography, and artifacts, each participant creates
a series of classroom lessons. Traditional
and Nontraditional Agriculture in Medina County Through a series of site visits to various locations in the county, teachers learn about natural resource areas specific to Medina County. Project
Wild/Aquatic Project
Wild is an interdisciplinary, supplementary environmental and
conservation education program for educators of kindergarten through
high school age young people. The program emphasizes wildlife and its goal is to develop
informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions
concerning wildlife and the environment upon which all life depends. Project Wet is an interdisciplinary, supplementary environmental and conservation education program for educators of kindergarten through high school age young people. The program emphasizes various water bodies (oceans, lakes, rivers, and wetlands) and their environmental impact on society. Project Learning Tree Project Learning Tree is a compilation of lessons and actives arranged under five major themes: Diversity, Interrelationship, Systems, Structure and Scales, Patterns of Change. Each theme relates Environment, Resource Management and Technology, and Society and Culture. Leopold Land Ethics The Leopold Education Project (LEP) is an innovative, interdisciplinary educational curriculum based on the classic writings of the renowned conservationist, Aldo Leopold. The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what they see, and enjoy what they understand. Food, Land, and People Food, Land, and People (FLP) is an interdisciplinary curriculum of lessons and activities that teach students the intricate relationship of food production, land use, and the various conservation practices used by people. Recycling/Composting Teachers learn about how and why citizens should recycle. Lessons and activities relate to Medina County’s recycling program through the Central Processing Facility. Make and Take Teachers learn to make different tools that students can use to collect samples from nature, study samples and consequently learn more about nature.
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| Resource Library |
A large part of the education process is maintaining a comprehensive set of available resources. The District offers a variety of resources from displays, to models, to books for loan to any interested educator. |
| Books |
The following books help to educate students on the importance of the environment and present an overall theme of appreciation for natural resources. Additionally, several of these books offer a compilation of indoor and outdoor activities in lesson plans (an asterisk (*) indicates the books containing lesson plans). All books are available for a two week period, and a deposit of $10.00 is required at the time of pick-up. Botany Earth Awareness and Ecology
Soils Theory and Methods of Conservation Water Wildlife
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| Displays |
The following displays are available for showcases, presentations, bulletin boards, meetings, etc. These displays are available for a one week time period and a $25.00 deposit is required at the time of pick-up. SOS (Sign Our Streams)--- explains the benefits of the SOS program; how citizens can get involved in SOS, and shows the art work of each stream sign (these were designed by Median County students). District Programs
--- presents information on the
current programs of the District including: urban, agriculture, streams,
and education
Back Yard Conservation --- shows conservation practices applicable to a backyard setting Macroinvertebrate ID Game --- illustrates the types of macroinvertebrates (e.g. bugs) often found in Ohio Streams and relates them to water quality Water Cycle:
Nature’s Recycling --- explains
the water cycle ----a vital process for sustaining life. Functions of a Stream--- discusses and illustrates the function of a stream. A Lane Balance demonstrates the relationship between stream erosion and steam deposition. Traveling CPF (Central Processing Facility)--- shows the recycling plant (CPF) and the Drop-off area of Medina County. Students can “bring” recyclable items to the CPF; deposit the items and see how the recyclable items are processed in the plant. Check-off
Good Construction Conservation--- five conservation
practices used in home construction are described and pictured:
Construction Entrance; Stockpile Placement;
Silt Fence; Mulching; Permanent Seeding Medina
County Watershed Map--- large map features the seven
watersheds in Medina County.
Streams, rivers, and lakes are easily identified along with roads
and communities. What
is a Watershed?--- an illustration of Medina City and
the surrounding area shows how water drains from high points into
streams. The display also
has watershed information. What
is Your Soil’s IQ?--- questions and concealed
answers about soil are arranged around soil pictures and illustrations. Urban Water Pollution:--- an urban landscape depicts the many ways that water becomes polluted before it drains into a storm drain and continues into a stream or lake. The result is polluted water. Examples of pollution are: animal waste, household cleaning and painting products; car products, lawn care products, litter and sediment. Animal Waste Pollutes Water--- explains how the run-off from animal waste pollutes streams and other water bodies, describes the different ways to store animal waste, and shows the benefits of composting animal waste. Rain Gardens- Beautiful Benefits---illustrates steps in constructing a rain garden and lists the benefits of rain gardens (restores ground water, captures storm water run-off).
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| Education Trunks |
These portable trunks include everything you need to complete full lesson plans, and are available for loan from our office. All trunks are available for a one week time period and a deposit of $25.00 is required at time of pick-up. The following trunks are available:
Agriculture A-Z Contains lessons, story books, activities, farm toys and posters about agriculture production. Aware Water quality testing kit for landowners with an educational component. Recycling Saves Contains
an interactive display with samples of waste products and recycled products. Paper Making and Recycling Contains
paper recycling lessons and two blenders, wire filters, and molds for
classroom paper recycling projects. Recycling Crafts Contains
lessons and supplies for making glow lamps out of 2-liter bottles. Hach Chemical Water Test Kits Water
samples from various sources such as drinking water, rivers/stream, or
ponds can be tested for levels of water nutrients. Depending on
the level, water testing may indicate water pollution. Two levels
of kits (beginners and advanced) are available. These trunks
contain
individual water testing kits for Dissolved Oxygen, Nitrates, Chloride,
Phosphorous, and pH. Timber Cruising Sticks Contains a wooden stick (timber stick) and an instruction sheet to measure tree height, estimate tree volume, estimate cordwood volume, and measure tree diameter.
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| Models |
The District also has several models available for loan. These models are available for a one week time period and a deposit of $25.00 is required at time of pick-up. Enviroscape© --- This model shows Nonpoint Source Pollution. Three models are available: standard, solid waste, and hazardous waste. Ground Water --- This model shows how land use effects ground water flow and quality. Macroinvertebrates --- This model shows types of invertebrates which live in a natural stream environment. Streamulator --- This model shows natural stream processes. It provides lessons on erosion minimization and the benefits of conservation practices.
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| Videos/Tapes |
The following videos/tapes are available through our office. All videos/tapes are available for a one week time period and a deposit of $10.00 is required at time of pick-up. Agriculture Lines on the Land Conservation/Education Programs Medina County SWCD Program Year 2000 Medina County
SWCD - The First 50 Years Land Use A Conservation View of Our Land Natural Environment A Prophet for All Seasons Recycling Henry Cycle Campaign Soils/Composting Earth Foundation Water/Water Quality Clean Water....? After the Rain- Urban Run-off No Dumping, Drains to Creek – (Litter and Grass and Leaves)
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| Education Web Sites |
Nature/Natural Environment Bird Feeder Watch Program Education
Standards/Classroom Assistance
Water/Water Quality PFRA
Flash Productions (including Robocow) Watershed Education for Teachers
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A
large mural of country homes shows sources of pollution. Students
work with detachable mural pieces to illustrate sources of water
pollution and conservation practices that confine the pollution or
eliminate pollution. Grades 4-8 (45 minutes).
