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One of the Conservation District’s primary goals is to provide
educational opportunities and information related to conservation and
environmental education. For this reason it is only natural for
the Conservation District to partner with local schools to promote
conservation of our natural resources and also to promote the number one
industry in Kansas…Agriculture.
Below you
will find information on the educational activities, lessons and
programs that the Conservation District has available for local
educators. We are here to assist educators in any way possible;
this includes giving classroom presentations, providing educational
brochures or other resources, and also providing opportunities for
teachers to earn graduate credits!
Annual Conservation Poster,
Limerick and Essay Contests
Sponsored by the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and The
Franklin County Conservation District.
Subject matter shall be related to the use and/or conservation of
natural resources with special emphasis on the conservation of water and
soil.
The national theme for the 2008
contest is "Water is Life". Students must follow this theme in
order to advance to the national contest as a state finalists. Entries must be delivered to the Franklin County Conservation
District Office by 4:30 PM on Friday October 10, 2008. No entries will be accepted after this deadline. It will be the
responsibility of either the teacher or a school volunteer to deliver
the posters prior to the deadline. The
Conservation District Office is located in the USDA Building at 343 West
23rd in Ottawa. Students should select to participate in either
the poster, limerick or essay contest; entry in more then one contest is
not allowed. The poster contest easily ties into the
National Visual Arts Standards.
The
judges will select county finalists to advance to the State Contest
based on the following: Conservation Message 50%,
Visual Effectiveness 30%, Originality 10%, and Neatness/Appeal 10%
Remember to follow the rules, but BE CREATIVE!!! Here is a
picture of the 2007 National Contest Winners
on display in Reno NV at
the NACD Convention.
Poster, Limerick and Essay Contest Rules
and Entry Blank
2007 Poster & Limerick Contest Winning Entries
Teachers- you are welcome to
print the entry blank information on adhesive labels from your computer,
be sure to include students first and last name, School, Grade, and
Teachers Name.
New to Franklin
County for 2008...Conservation Photo Contest
"A picture can be
worth even more than a thousand words. Good photographs can lend
a helping hand to numerous projects: they strengthen publicity
for a fund-raiser, make a newsletter more appealing and reveal
the beauty of wetlands to elementary students. To recognize
individuals who use this tool effectively and creatively, NACD
and the NACD Auxiliary join forces with the Virginia Association
of Soil & Water Conservation Districts to host an annual Photo
Contest."
Photos for the
2008 Contest must be submitted to Franklin County Conservation
District by October 15, 2008.
Photographs
may be entered in the following categories:
-
Conservation (Examples: volunteers planting
trees, district personnel advising a farmer, erosion
and other conservation challenges)
-
Education (Examples: a workshop for local
teachers, a farmer learning about wetlands,
children taking part in conservation activities)
-
Trees and Plants (Examples: anything from a
field of wildflowers to a gnarled oak tree)
-
Wildlife (Examples: deer running through the
woods, a bird nest in an urban neighborhood)
-
Landscapes (Examples: Sunsets, mountains, city
parks)
-
Youth Only (Youths up to age 18 can submit
photos of any subject in this category)
-
Click Here for all the rules!
Here are
a few of the winning entries from the 2005 & 2006 NACD
Photo Contest:
 (the
first two are from Kansas)
Kansas Foundation for
Agriculture in the Classroom Postcard Contest
Franklin County Conservation
District promotes the annual postcard art contest which is sponsored by
the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Students grade K-6 create a
postcard size artwork which depicts an agricultural theme. There is one
winner selected in each grade level along with a grand prize winner.
Grade level winners receive a $50 Savings Bond and the grand prize
winner receives a $100 Savings Bond. All of the winner and their
families are invited to the state capitol on National Agriculture Day
(March 21) to receive their awards and meet with the Governor. For
official entry blank and contest rules log onto
www.ksagclassroom.org/contestsandawards.htm
The theme for the 2008 contest is "Science in your Shopping Cart"
Links to lesson plans for this theme are available on the
www.ksagclassroom.org website
Day
on the Farm
Presented the first Tuesday
of October to all Franklin County 3rd graders at Sylvester Ranch in
Ottawa by the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and partnering agencies.
Presentations include: farm safety, dairy cattle, draft horses, Power of
the Past, veterinarian, conservation and others. Third
graders who attend this event are also encouraged to participate in the
annual conservation poster contest.
Photo Courtesy FCCD-Day on the Farm
Stream
Model Trailer
The Stream Model Trailer
simulates surface water flow and its energies; how changes upstream
effect the watercourse and stream banks downstream. The Stream
Model Trailer can also be used to demonstrate the importance of
restricting cattle access to streams and rivers as well as relocating
feeding sites to reduce pollution potential. Groundwater
contamination, surface runoff, wetlands protections, and countless other
water related issues can be simulated with this portable stream model.
Photo Courtesy FCCD-Day on the Farm
Can’t take
your class to the farm for conservation lessons? Why not bring the farm
to them? You can do just that with our Model Farm!
This model farm shows students various resource
management systems, or farming techniques. Having the model allows
students to see the slope of the hillside and understand what a terrace
is in three dimensions instead of trying to explain using one
dimensional pictures. Resource management systems on the model
farm include terraces, diversion, crop rotation, grassed waterways,
contour buffer strips, grass strips, residue management, pasture/hay
land management, windbreaks and wildlife habitats.
Photo belongs to FCCD
Ground Water Flow Model
The Groundwater Flow
Model is an educational device constructed of sturdy layered sand lenses
to represent a sliced section of earth. Movement of water and
contaminants are easily demonstrated to groups of all ages. Through the
use of water tinted with food coloring or grape Kool-Aid, it is possible
to observe a wide range of groundwater movements and contamination
events. The following are examples of demonstrations: water table
fluctuations, leaking landfills & underground tanks, non-point source
leaching, and contamination.
Photo Courtesy 2007 Fr Co EARTH Festival
Earth
Awareness Researchers for Tomorrow's Habitat
 Mission:
To provide youth with innovative,
experimental learning opportunities that highlight the relationships and
interdependence of our natural resources and encourage the development
of skills that will help our local children become wise stewards of
their environment.
Purpose:
E.A.R.T.H. is a yearlong middle school environmental education program.
E.A.R.T.H provides research-based, hands-on curriculum and supply kits
to local schools. At the end of the school year E.A.R.T.H. sponsors a
student festival/workshop day for all participants to attend. This
program is available at no cost to the school or teachers who
participate. E.A.R.T.H. provides rich, hands-on science materials to
middle school students across Kansas. Research shows that 90% of
students are more likely to remember and be able to apply skills and
knowledge when they experience things first hand; while only 10-15% of
students remember things they read or have been told. Local school
district officials and environmental leaders found middle schools less
well served than elementary or high schools with supportive science and
environmental programs. Based on the recommendations of this education
advisory group, the E.A.R.T.H. Steering Committee developed an Award
Winning*
curriculum book for teachers choosing to participate in this great
program.
* E.A.R.T.H. received the National
Association of Extension 4-H Agents Communicators Award in 2000.
Teachers who participate receive a
curriculum book and supply kit. The kit has $500 worth of supplies to
complete all 23 lessons in the curriculum book. In the spring an
E.A.R.T.H Festival Day is held with professionals from various
environmental departments who come together to present demonstrations
that engage the students in hands on applications of lessons learned
throughout the school year. Two great things about E.A.R.T.H. are that
it is FREE to participate in and all lessons are matched to State
Standards and Benchmarks! E.A.R.T.H. is funded through EPA Section 319
Non point Source Pollution Control Grant, administered through Kansas
Department of Health and Environment Franklin County E.A.R.T.H. started
in 2004 with the West Franklin, Central Heights and Wellsville School
Districts. In 2005 Ottawa Middle School was added to the program and in
2006 Sacred Heart began participating in the program as well. We had 336
students participate in the E.A.R.T.H. program during the 2006-07 school
year. Log onto
www.earthkansas.org to learn more.
The
2008 Franklin County E.A.R.T.H Festival
was held on Wednesday April 9, 2008 at the Franklin County Fair
Grounds. Participating classes for 2008 include: Ms. Cook- West
Franklin, Mr. Winkleman- Central Heights, Mr. Odum- Ottawa and Mr.
Crenshaw - Ottawa. Students rotated through six different
presentations from various environmental professionals from 9:00 AM
until 12:30 PM. Click
here to see pictures of the event.
"Connecting Crops, Critters & Kids” through interactive classroom
lessons from Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom
Farm Animals Presentation (K, 1st & 2nd)
During the assembly students will be developing skills to conduct
scientific inquiries, able to ask and answer questions, learning about
sorting and separating groups, discriminating similarities and
differences, contrasting visually and scientifically, demonstrating
responsibility for available nutrition choices, understanding different
food sources produced in Kansas.
Grains and Oils Presentation (3rd &
4th)
During the assembly students will be performing basic mathematical
computations using whole numbers and money in a variety of situations,
participating in a full scientific inquiry using observation,
manipulation and measurements of different kinds of wheat and flour,
demonstrating physical science concepts of mass, density and volume,
learning that all kinds of careers are involved in agriculture and that
many use math and science every day, engaged in exciting and
entertaining problem solving activities where strategy and group
decision-making are rewarded.
Natural Resources
Presentation Emphasis on Grasslands, Wetlands and Kansas Biomes (5th,
6th & 7th)During
this assembly students will be learning to understand cause and effect,
learning skills to distinguish between fact and opinion, learning to
understand the importance of the diversity of natural resources, able to
apply functions of living systems of populations and ecosystems,
understanding water’s role in changing the solid surface of the earth,
investigating the
 effects
of human activities on the environment, learning about advances in
scientific agriculture.
KFAC also has
Kansas Kids Connection activity books pertaining to farm animals
for first graders and grains and oil seeds for third graders which are
available for free, thanks to donations from various corporate sponsors.
The Kansas Kids Connection books are also available in Spanish.
Visit
http://www.ksagclassroom.org/kkc.htm to
order Kansas Kids Connections for your classroom or to see other
outstanding resources available, including lesson plan created by
teachers and can be downloaded.
Scholarships and Graduate Credits Available for Educators
Kansas
Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom hosts summer sessions for
teachers to earn graduate credit. Scholarships to assist with
tuition costs for summer sessions are often available for Franklin
County teachers through the Franklin County Conservation District.
Log onto
www.ksagclassroom.org to learn more about the great
opportunities KFAC has available.
Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education also
offers many courses to both formal and non-formal educators for the
opportunity to earn graduate credits. Franklin County Conservation
District hosted a workshop for teachers during the 2006-07 school year
in Ottawa. The workshops are offered at various times in various
area across Kansas. Visit
www.KACEE.org
for a list of upcoming workshops. Scholarships for registration
fees
often available for Franklin County teachers through the Franklin County
Conservation District
EnviroScape
- Nonpoint Source Model
Pollution and runoff
are visually apparent when rain falling over the landscape top carries
soil (cocoa), chemicals (colored drink mixes) and oil (cocoa and water
mixture) through a watershed to a body of water. Storm water runoff and
storm drain function are also addressed. Best management practices
include felt buffer strips as vegetation, clay to create berms and other
methods to show conservation and water pollution prevention measures at
work. It discusses nonpoint source pollution and the steps everyone can
take to help prevent environmental contamination. It is also good for
discussion about overall watershed concepts. EnviroScape
Watershed/Nonpoint Source teaches the watershed concept in addition to
point and nonpoint source pollution. Two waterways flow into a larger
water body, which is representative of a lake, river, bay, or ocean. The
unit comes complete with a kit containing everything you need to
demonstrate the movement of water through a watershed and the pollution
that runoff may cause.
.Kansas Association for Conservation and
Environmental Education
Project WET
(Water Education for Teachers) is an award-winning, nonprofit water
education program and publisher. The program facilitates and promotes
awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources
through the dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and the
establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs.
Project WILD
is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education
programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high
school. It is based on the premise that young people and educators have
a vital interest in learning about our natural world. A national network
of
State Wildlife Agency Sponsors
ensures that Project WILD is available nationwide --training educators
in the many facets of the program. Emphasizing wildlife because of its
intrinsic value, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to
develop as responsible citizens of our planet.
The
Project
WILD Aquatic
emphasizes
aquatic wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. It is organized in topic units
and is based on the Project WILD conceptual framework.
Project Learning
Tree
uses the forest as a window to the world to increase students'
understanding of our environment;
stimulate students' critical and creative thinking; develop students'
ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill
in students the commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the
environment. 
Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental
Education (KACEE) offers Project WET, and other courses in the series,
to both formal and non-formal educators for the opportunity to earn
graduate credits. Franklin County Conservation District hosted a
workshop for teachers during the 2006-07 school year in Ottawa.
The workshops are offered at various times across Kansas. Visit
www.KACEE.org
for
a list of upcoming workshops or email
district@fccdks.org if you would be interested in attending
if the
Franklin County
Conservation District sponsors another workshop during the 07-08 school
year.
Photo courtesy
FCCD KACEE Workshop
 StreamLink
Presents: Mudscapes
Students
use their hands as if they were water molding flowing rivers on tables full of
mud. Once a river system is formed the students begin to make land use
decisions, selecting prime locations for props including little houses, trees,
fences, cows, pigs and rubbery pieces to simulate roads. They are encouraged to
work together to build their ideal landscape. Discussion about the ecosystem the
students have created follows. To have Mudscapes come to your school, or to
learn more visit
www.streamlink.org/programs/mudscapes.htm
Photo courtesy Fr
Co EARTH Festival
Kansas Envirothon
The
Kansas Envirothon is an outdoor, environmental high school competition
where students learn and are tested on soils, forestry, wildlife,
aquatics and a current issue. Each County is allowed to send one team of
five high school students to the state competition. The winner of the
Kansas Envirothon will represent Kansas at the Canon Envirothon in
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Canon Envirothon is organized in
cooperation with the National Association of Conservation Districts and
The Canadian Forestry Association the Canon Envirothon is an annual
competition in which winning state/provincial teams compete for
recognition and scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge of
environmental science and natural resource management. With the
Manitoba Forestry Association as the host for the national competition
each team arrives at the Canon Envirothon as a result of extensive
training and superior performance at local and/or regional Envirothon
competitions. To enroll a team, or for more information log onto
http://www.geocities.com/envirothon/.
Stream Assessments
As part of the stream assessment, participants
start out with a visual assessment, measuring the stream, getting a look at the
banks, river flow etc. Macro invertebrates can tell a lot about water quality.
To hunt these critters, we use hand nets and kick nets. They are then sorted and
categorized, as having different varieties can show flourishing or contaminated
water. learn more at
www.streamlink.org/programs/sa.htm
Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) Educators Packets
Topics
including in the packet are:
Trees, Water, Soil and Backyard
Conservation
Additional educational information is also available at
www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/teachers.html
To obtain a copy of the
educators packet contact the Franklin County Conservation District or the Public
Affairs Staff at the NRCS State Office at 785-823-4500.
National
Stewardship Week
The idea of Stewardship Week began in 1955 with
the National Association of Conservation Districts and has continued and grown
into one of the world's largest conservation-related observances. Franklin
County Conservation District has participated in Stewardship Week Observation
for many years by sending news articles on current conservation issues to local
media and also by providing litanies and other materials to local churches.
"The concept of stewardship involves personal and social responsibility. We have
a duty to learn about and improve natural resources as we use them wisely. By
doing this we can achieve material and spiritual growth in our own lives, and
leave a rich legacy for future generations. Everyone wants to help improve the
world. But sometimes the scope of the world's problems seems beyond the reach of
one person. And sometimes we are tempted to believe that large agencies and
organizations will take care of this important work, without our help.
Stewardship Week helps reminds us of the power of each person to conserve
natural resources and improve the world. When people work together with their
local conservation district, that power grows and grows. And as these good deeds
multiply across the nation's network of conservation districts, the results can
be spectacular!" according to the National Association of Conservation
Districts. National Stewardship Week is the week proceeding the
first Sunday in
May. For more information on Soil Stewardship visit
http://stewardship.nacdnet.org/
2008 Stewardship Week Celebrating "Water is Life"
Healthy Water Hopscotch
Activity
- Participants in this
printable activity learn about their own impacts on the
quality of the water. This activity is great for field
days, exhibits or school lesson plans.
You can
make your own Healthy Water
Hopscotch game by printing the signs on 11x17
pieces of paper. *
Instructions |
PDF
| * Signs |
PDF
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Project Learning Tree Activity 44: Water
Wonders -
The water cycle is the system by which Earth’s fixed amount of
water is collected, purified and distributed from the
environment to living things and back to the environment.
Through an activity and an experiment, this activity will
introduce students to the various steps of the water cycle and
will help them make connections between the water cycle and all
living things. |
PDF |
Water Cycle Spinners
- This printable activity goes
along with Project WET’s “An Incredible Journey” and is great
for field days, exhibits or school lesson plans. |
PDF |
The State Conservation
Commission has a list of 87 Educational Links available at http://scc.ks.gov
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