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Education and Outreach

Creature Teacher  Programs    Poster Contest        Envirothon    Educational Resources     Speakers Bureau  

   Environmental Education Specialist Joins Conservation District Staff

As "The Creature Teacher", Jody Wallace, the Environmental Education Specialist for the Blair County Conservation District, has been giving hands on environmental and science programs to schools, libraries, scouts, civic organizations and other groups.

She is a certified biology and environmental education teacher. In addition to teaching in PA public schools, she has experience educating diverse groups as a  park guide and an Extension Agent - 4H and Youth. She has served as a volunteer instructor for many organizations including Fort Roberdeau , scouts, and the Audubon Society.

She holds a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree from the University Of Maryland College Of Agriculture and a teaching certificate from Penn State .

She lives in Sinking Valley with her husband, three kids, and a host of animals.

For more information about Blair County Conservation District's educational programs, call 814-696-0877, extension 5.   

Creature Teacher

        Youth programs include a variety of hands on activities, experiments, songs, games, and often live animals. Because of the hands-on nature of the instruction, most are designed for one classroom at a time, some can be adapted to large group audiences. Most programs last about an hour, this can be adjusted to meet the needs and interests of the group. 

        Each lesson's objective addresses one or more of the Pennsylvania Standards for Environmental Education and/or Science and Technology.  Standards are indicated under program descriptions.

        Currently all programs are FREE of charge to any school, home school, library, civic or youth group based in Blair County , Pennsylvania. The Creature Teacher will travel to meet your group anywhere within Blair County . Programs have been grouped by grade level, but can be adapted to meet other grades as needed.

        Jody Wallace, also known as  "The Creature Teacher", can be contacted at the Blair County Conservation District by phone at  814-696-0877 x 5 or by e-mail at jwallace@blairconservationdistrict.org.

Programs

Pre-School    Elementary    Upper Elementary/ Middle School (Water Festival)     High School    Adult    Festivals

* Numbers refer to Pennsylvania Academic Standards

Pre School

Five Senses - A series of hands on activities and games involving pre-schoolers in coming to their senses. - S3.2.4B

Farms - Where does your food, maybe even your shirt, come from? Where does the egg come out? How does a cow give milk? Secret for Teachers Only: Kids may be put to WORK to find the answers! - S4.2.4A,B; S4.4.4A,B

Insects - Build a bug. Hear, see, sniff and metamorphosis like an insect in a series of games, songs and a play. - S4.7.4A; S3.3.4A

Elementary

Frogs - Jump, sing and feed like a frog! Watch a froggy puppet show. Calculate how far you can jump compared to a frog!  See and touch real frog eggs, tadpoles and frogs! - S4.1.4C,E; S4.3.4A,B; S4.7.4A; S3.3.7A,D

Gyotaku/ Haiku - In olden times, Japanese fishermen would record large or unusual catches by making an ink print of the real fish. Now your students can make and take a handsome "Gyotaku" fish print of native PA fishes using less smelly rubber replicas. Students make "Haiku" poems to go with their creations. To round out this art-in-science lesson, students take part in a hilarious fish anatomy dance. - S4.1.4C, S4.7.4A,B; S3.3.7A,D

Animals of Halloween - What makes owls spooky? Why are bats creepy and spiders crawly? Discover the strange adaptations of creatures associated with Halloween through song, live and DEAD (stuffed) animal observation. - S4.7.4A,B; S3.3.7A,D

Animals in Winter - Meet some live animals who use different strategies to survive winter. Conduct experiments to find the effects of wind and water on comfort levels. Watch a puppet show. Participate in a guided fantasy to learn the physiology of hibernation. - S4.7.4A,B; S3.2.4C; S3.3.7A,D

Animal Adaptations - What am I? Examine mammalian skulls to determine facts about the animals age, diet, gender and size. Partake in "Fits the Bill", a laboratory exercise, and meet some live birds to discover adaptations of our feathered friends. - S4.7.4A,B; S3.3.7A,D

Germs! - Glowing "germs" tattle when kids don't wash their hand properly. Conduct an experiment to realize where germs live. Play the handshake game to reveal how germs are spread. Observe the gross but interesting "compost under glass" disclosing that not all germs are "bad". See what germs really look like. - S3.2.4B; S3.3.4B

Also see Falcon, Water Festival, Plant a tree/ butterfly garden and nature games.

Upper Elementary-Middle School

Fossils - Handle real fossils. Realize how they were created in activities called "Time Line", "Rubber Bones", "The Mineralization of Sponge Bob" and "Make a Fossil". - S4.2.7A,B; S4.3.7A,C; S3.1.4E

Falcon! - First, understand birds. Then understand BIRD EXTREME the falcon! Meet a real falcon!! Experience how birds of prey and people cooperate to hunt wild game by participating in a falconry hunt play. This can be done complete with medieval costumes. This program works well for mixed groups, scout programs and outdoor groups. (Not available February-April) - S4.7.7A; S3.3.7A

Nature Games - Learn complex ecological relationships by playing games like "Habitat Lap Sit", "Food Web Game", "Pesticide Concentration Game" and "Air Ballet". - S4.1.4C,D,E; S4.8.7D; S4.2.7C,D; S4.3.7C; S4.6.7A,B,C

Technology and Invention (A visit from a Medieval Townswoman) -  Imagine her astonishment when a 15^th century townswoman finds herself "magic ked" into your modern setting! (Imagine their surprise when your groups finds a medieval character, in full costume, among them ). Explain to this lady the workings of  modern technology for everyday things, find out from her what technology was in place in her day. Discuss some questions her visit brings up. This program is suitable for classroom, assemblies, and adult civic group meetings. - S4.2.7B; S4.8.7B; S4.2.10B; S4.8.12C; S4.2.7D

Plant a Tree or Butterfly Garden - When, where why and how do you plant a tree or butterfly garden? Let's do it and find out! (Available spring and fall) - S4.3.4C

Fish Kill Mystery - Crime Scene Investigation Teams use chemistry, maps, and clues from nature to figure out who, or what, caused a local fish kill. Based on a real event. S4.1.4C; S4.8.4C,D; S4.1.7D,E; S4.3.7B,C; S4.6.7A; S4.9.4A; S4.7.4A

Soils Field Day - Sixth Graders learn about soil by digging pits to observe actual soil horizons, conducting soup can percolation tests, cracking rocks, sampling soil, and planting seeds. Offered as a 3 hour, station learning event, these activities are not only “hands-on” but “hands-dirty”! - S4.4.7B,C; S3.5.7A

Wetlands Tour - What is a wetland? Why are wetlands important? Take soil samples, identify plants and explore the hydrology of a wetland. Done as a field trip (several sites available) unless your school has a wetland. - S4.1.7B,C,D; S4.3.7B

Integrated Pest Management - What is a pest? How do human interactions affect environmental health and understand society's need for IPA. Explain IPM methods. - S4.5.4A,B,C

Who can make the best insulated house - In this fast paced 'realty game' future homeowners compete to make the best insulated milk carton house balancing money, time, materials. - S4.2.7A,B

Water Festival

The Blair County Conservation District offers its "Water Festival" to all 4^th grade classes in Blair County public and private schools. "Water Festival" is a hands-on learning program where students travel to at least three different stations described below.  The event prepares the student for part of the Environment and Ecology section of April 27^th PSSA’s.   

Instructors include Jody Wallace (The Creature Teacher) and other staff from the Blair County Conservation District, Tobias Nagle from the Altoona City Water Authority, and Tom Komir from the Juniata Clean Water Partnership.  All instructors have recent clearances which are on file at the District Office.  This is our third year of Water Festivals.

Other features: the program is free and we come to you !  It's like a field trip without having to leave the school !

Station Descriptions

       Macro-invertebrates and Stream Water Quality:  Students catch live stream macro-invertebrates and identify them using a dichotomous key.  In a game called "Macro mania" students learn about the influence of land use on water quality and the practice of macro-invertebrate sampling to quantify it.  Using a map, deck of macro invertebrate cards, a sorting sheet, and a math worksheet students calculate a biological index for their stream.  We also dress up a couple of student volunteers to demonstrate the use of a kick net on our classroom stream.  Addresses Standard 4.1.4.C and 4.1.7.E.

       Enviroscape:  Students discover how their school district is part of a watershed, how this watershed gets polluted and what can be done about it.  It uses a large plastic watershed model, colored powder for the pollutants, and spray bottle to illustrate rain.  Addresses Standard 4.1.4.E and 4.1.7.B.

      Gyotako/ Haiku (Fish Printing):  In olden times, Japanese fisherman recorded large or unusual catches by making a print using the actual fish.  Your students make (and take) handsome Gyotako fish prints of native Pennsylvania fish using less smelly rubber replicas.  Standard 4.1.4.C.  If time permits students write a Haiku poem describing their fish.

      Water Chemistry:  Students learn about pH and acid mine drainage, as well as other ways water is polluted by chemicals.  Addresses Standard 4.1.4.E and 4.1.7.B.

       Lentic/Lotic Puppet Show:  Follow two brook trout on their adventures from your school's local stream, into local rivers and finally the Susquehanna River , almost to the mouth of the Chesapeake .  Addresses State Standard 4.1.4A,C and 4.1.7.B. It also ties in concepts from other stations.

Each station takes 40-50 minutes. Teachers usually plan on devoting an entire morning or afternoon to the program.

      For more information about Water Festival or other environmental education / science programs offered by the Blair County Conservation District, visit our website at www.blairconservationdistrict.org or call Jody Wallace at 696-0877 Ext. 5 or email her at jwallace@blairconservationdistrict.org.

       To schedule contact Mike Rowley, BCCD, AmeriCorps at mrowley@blairconservationdistrict.org or call 696-0877 Ext. 5.

       Programs are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis with the most popular times being the days in April prior to the 4^th grade PSSA's.  If your school addresses the Watersheds Academic Standards in 3^rd or 5^th grade, we are happy to do a Water Festival for you, but please schedule after the 4^th grade PSSA's.

High School

Blair County Envirothon - to learn more about the Annual Blair County Envirothon click here

Technology and Invention (A visit from a Medieval Townswoman) -  Imagine her astonishment when a 15^th century townswoman finds herself "magic ked" into your modern setting! (Imagine their surprise when your groups finds a medieval character, in full costume, among them ). Explain to this lady the workings of  modern technology for everyday things, find out from her what technology was in place in her day. Discuss some questions her visit brings up. This program is suitable for classroom, assemblies, and adult civic group meetings. - S4.2.7B; S4.8.7B; S4.2.10B; S4.8.12C; S4.2.7D

Falcon! - First, understand birds. Then understand BIRD EXTREME the falcon! Meet a real falcon!! Experience how birds of prey and people cooperate to hunt wild game by participating in a falconry hunt play. This can be done complete with medieval costumes. This program works well for mixed groups, scout programs and outdoor groups. (Not available February-April) - S4.7.7A; S3.3.7A

“Agriculture it’s not just for Farmers” -  Invite Jody Wallace, a 20 year veteran of Agricultural careers, to your Career Day event to speak about the many opportunities in Agriculture. - S4.4.7A; 13.1A-G

Adult-Civic Groups, Outdoor Organizations

Septic Tanks, Sinkholes and Summer Lawns - What rural landowners can do to protect their wells and watersheds.

Technology and Invention (A visit from a Medieval Townswoman) -  Imagine her astonishment when a 15^th century townswoman finds herself "magic ked" into your modern setting! (Imagine their surprise when your groups finds a medieval character, in full costume, among them ). Explain to this lady the workings of  modern technology for everyday things, find out from her what technology was in place in her day. Discuss some questions her visit brings up. This program is suitable for classroom, assemblies, and adult civic group meetings.

Falcon! - First, understand birds. Then understand BIRD EXTREME the falcon! Meet a real falcon!! Experience how birds of prey and people cooperate to hunt wild game by participating in a falconry hunt play. This can be done complete with medieval costumes. This program works well for mixed groups, scout programs and outdoor groups. (Not available February-April)

Rain Barrel Workshop - Save water! Join Jim Eckenrode, Blair County Conservation District Watershed Specialist, to make and take a rain barrel. Note: There may be a cost to cover materials . Call for more information.

Festivals

Water Music - Play the Ocean Drum, Rain Stick or Water Glasses. What role does water have in culture?

A - Maize-ing Corn - Make and take a corn husk doll while discovering the role of corn in America’s past present, and future. - S4.B.3.3.2

Skins and Skulls - Figure out the who’s who of the wildlife world. S3.3.4A

Origin of Food - Where in the world does eggplant come from? How about cucumbers? Do tomatoes come from Italy? Find out! - S4.B.3.3.2

Gyotaku - Make and take a print of a native Pennsylvania fish using this ancient Japanese art form - S4.1.4C; S4.7.7A

Farms - Where does your food, maybe even your shirt, come from? Where does the egg come out? How does a cow give milk? Secret for Teachers Only: Kids may be put to WORK to find the answers! - S4.2.4A,B; S4.4.4A, B

Safety Precautions

Allergies - Some programs involve the use of fur or feathers. Teachers or other group leaders are requested to check for allergies to these ahead of time and to notify Creature Teacher if this is the case. An alternate program can be scheduled for individuals with severe allergies.

Behavior around animals - Some programs involve the respectful use of live animals. Students will be instructed at the beginning of each program to avoid loud noises or sudden movement which may frighten an animal. No animal is to be handled without the direct supervision of the Creature Teacher.

Germs - Be sure student WASH THEIR HANDS after each program, ESPECIALLY if they have touched an animal.

Tools and equipment - Some programs involve the use of tools and equipment. Students will be instructed in safe use and will be expected to follow rules.

Teachers are to remain with their group and to administer discipline should the need arise.

Disabled Students - Some programs involve games in which physical activity is involved. Programs can be modified to meet the needs of disabled students if the disability is known in advance. Notify the Creature Teacher if someone in your group has special needs.

Blair County Conservation District Poster Contest

"Water - Protect the Source!" - 2012 Poster Contest

The 2012 Altoona Water Authority and Blair County Conservation District Annual Poster Contest is accepting posters based on the theme "Water-Protect the Source!".  Cash prizes will be awarded in five grade groups K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Take this opportunity to explore what our streams and waterways mean to your students. All posters will be displayed at the Logan Valley Mall during the District's Annual Earth Day Celebration Activities the week of April 16th. This year's Earth Day Celebration will be held at the Logan Valley Mall, Saturday April 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  at which this years poster contest winners will be recognized. All posters must be received by the District office no later than Friday, March 30th.   Click here for more details and contest rules. To submit a poster use the attached entry form.  

    The Pennsylvania Envirothon educates high school students in natural resource and environmental sciences.  The program emphasizes the importance of environmental sensitivity while stressing a need to achieve a social, ecologic and economic balance in life. The learning objectives emphasize awareness, knowledge, attitudes and application. The Pennsylvania Envirothon provides future generations with the ability to be better equipped to address the complex natural resource concerns facing today's world as well as the challenges of tomorrow.

      For over 20 years, high schools in Pennsylvania have been recognizing the value of the Envirothon experience. Students and their teachers become empowered by their own motivation as the Envirothon engages them in an exciting, multi-faceted study of the environment. Students involved in the Envirothon often pursue further education in environmental fields. Many Envirothon participants pursuing college degrees in various natural resource studies have indicated that their education choice was partly due, or strengthened by, their Envirothon experience. Many Envirothon advisors credit the Envirothon with increasing student interest and involvement in environmental sciences. To many people involved, the Envirothon is more than just a competition.

     We hope that whether this is your first Envirothon or you are a veteran, you and your team are excited to learn about the environment, our relationship with it, and how we can each work towards its protection and conservation (pa envirothon-teacher resource packet).  

Envirothon is open to teams from public, private, religious, cyber and home schools based in Blair County. All learning resources are provided free as well as a lunch picnic. Envirothon is an incredible learning (and teaching) experience.

     To learn more about becoming involved in the Envirothon Program on a local level, see the details below for the Annual Blair County Envirothon; or to find out details about the State competition, to be held at the Penn State University, University Park for 2007 visit the Pennsylvania Envirothon web-page.  Finally for information on the National Envirothon visit their webpage at Canon Envirothon.

    26^th ANNUAL  BLAIR COUNTY ENVIROTHON       

The 2011 Blair County Envirothon will be held on Thursday, May 12th at Valley View Park in Altoona . As in the past, the competition will include the four annual testing stations: Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soil/Land Use, and Wildlife.  In addition, this year's current issue is: "Salt and Fresh Water Estuaries".  

For more information about the Envirothon or to find out how your high school can participate, please contact the Blair County Conservation District at (814) 696-0877 ex. 5.

Educational Resources

KIDS     

   Carly's Kids Corner - National Arbor Day Foundation

    PA CleanWays Kids'

  S.K. Worm - Ask the Worm about Soil

  Parents/ Teachers    

Market Place for the Mind

National Arbor Day Foundation - Youth Education

Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education

  Funding Opportunities for Environmental Education

Lowe's Outdoor Classroom Grant Program

  Conservation Topics and Issues  

   Citizen Science Programs - YOU Can Contribute to Environmental Research !!!!

Monarch Watch

Project Feeder Watch

  Environmental Research & Data

Soils

Speakers Bureau (Presentations Available) 

The Blair County Conservation District has always tried to provide quality educational speakers upon the request of educational and civic institutions.  The District's Environmental Education Specialist and other staff can provide presentations on many topics, including: soils;  water quality; geology; wetlands, watersheds; environmental restoration projects; energy and natural resources; biodiversity and non-point sources of pollution.  Presentations are available to groups of all sizes--from less than 10 to well over 100; to audiences of all ages and backgrounds; and for schools, service clubs, community organizations and municipal bodies in formal and informal settings.  If you would like to have a District staff person speak at your event, or to find out more about available resources, please contact the District office at 814-696-0877 x 5.

Other agencies also provide presenters upon request.  For more information about a specific federal, state or county agency contact that agency directly.  Visit the District's Link page to find contact information.  Some other organizations, such as the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's Speaker's Bureau, also provide speakers.