At our regularly scheduled April Planet Stewards book club we’ll discuss Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism

We live in a world of stuff. We dispose of most of it in as little as six months after we receive it. The byproducts of our quest to consume are creating an environmental crisis. Aja Barber wants to change this--and you can, too.

In Consumed, Barber calls for change within an industry that regularly overreaches with abandon, creating real imbalances in the environment and the lives of those who do the work—often in unsafe conditions for very low pay—and the billionaires who receive the most profit. A story told in two parts, Barber exposes the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry, one which brokered slavery, racism, and today’s wealth inequality. Once the layers are peeled back, Barber invites you to participate in unlearning, to understand the truth behind why we consume in the way that we do, to confront the uncomfortable feeling that we are never quite enough and why we fill that void with consumption rather than compassion. Barber challenges us to challenge the system and our role in it. The less you buy into the consumer culture, the more power you have. Consumed will teach you how to be a citizen and not a consumer. Check out a summary of the book, Consumed for more details.

• For details on all our meeting dates, times, selections, and how to log in, go to our Upcoming Events Page.
• Make sure you receive reminder announcements! Sign up to our mailing list.
• See previously selected books and discussion questions in our Book Club Archive.

 --------------------------------------------------------

16 de abril, y el 24 de abril, 2024 I 7 p.m. Hora del Este

¡Saludos a todos! ¡Deseamos invitarlos a un evento muy especial, gratis y abierto a todos y en español! Júntense con nosotros para una conversación sobre la novela El Quetzal Azul – una historia inolvidable escrita para lectores de todas edades – escrita por Dennis Avelar. El autor estará presente con nosotros durante dos noches: el martes 16 de abril, y el miércoles 24 de abril, las dos noches a las 7:00 PM (hora del este). Escojan la fecha que más les convenga y estén listos para aprender más de una historia que jamás olvidarán. ¡Todos son bienvenidos a este evento virtual!

¿De que se trata El Quetzal Azul?

El equilibrio natural del mundo está en peligro. Los seres responsables del bienestar de nuestro planeta fueron obligados a seguir las órdenes egoístas de un poderoso líder, quien está dispuesto a destruirlo todo para restaurar lo que fue robado del ecosistema natural.

¡No se lo pierdan!

Y Recuerdan:  Las Aves Siempre Están Vigilando

En nuestro sitio web se publica una descripción completa del libro, las preguntas de discusión de la reunión, la información de inicio de sesión y todas las fechas y selecciones para todo el año académico 2023-2024.

Para obtener detalles sobre todas las fechas, horarios, selecciones y cómo iniciar sesión de nuestras reuniones, vaya a nuestra página de Próximos eventos.

¡Regístrese para recibir anuncios recordatorios en nuestra lista de correo!

Vea libros previamente seleccionados y preguntas de discusión en nuestro Archivo del Club de lectura NOAA Planet Stewards.

Apply to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) National Summer Teacher Institute (NSTI) to:

• Work with USPTO experts, inventors, and teacher ambassadors to explore IP, innovation, and STEM concepts: creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, and collaboration and teamwork.
• Design and build prototypes as part of a week-long invention project.
• Learn how to engage students in authentic, real-world projects and problem-based learning across all fields of study.
• Collaborate and share best practices with educators from across the country.
• Receive free, ready-to-use, educator-tested teaching materials, lesson plans, and activities to take back to your classroom.

The application and program are free! If selected, flight, lodging, and meals are covered for teachers who live more than 50 miles from Alexandria, Virginia. Teachers who reside less than 50 miles from the NSTI venue will receive all the benefits of the program except travel and lodging support.

Where do I get more information and apply? Interested individuals can find more information about the program and apply on the NSTI webpage. Check out this Instagram reel to see NSTI teachers in action. Apply for the Summer Teacher Institute today!

Apply for the Inland Seas Education Association's 2024 Great Lakes Watershed Field Course (GLWFC), a 4-day free professional development experience for teachers from throughout the Great Lakes region in Suttons Bay, MI. Training in the course includes watershed and environmental concepts, place-based education and environmental education pedagogy, and curriculum development. Educators will learn how to engage students in local environmental issues, investigate solutions, devise a plan, and take action during this course. Inland Seas supports teachers as they implement their watershed-based stewardship action projects.

There is no cost for this experience, but space is limited to 21 participants. Interested educators can learn more and apply at the GLWFC webpage.

The Gloria Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education. Encourage the young heroes you know to apply online by April 15th!

Young people are invited to apply by completing an online application. It includes an essay and three letters of recommendation, which references submit through our online platform. Many applicants also include supplemental materials such as links to their websites and social media pages.

Applicants can now access the 2024 online application and begin compiling their materials. Winners will be announced in late September.

Apply here!

Apply the engineering method and help your students become environmental stewards as you repurpose recyclables into seaworthy vessels! Master buoyancy, engineering, and physics obstacles to race your boat creations to victory.

The Recycle Regatta is a free, fun, hands-on competition for K-12 students to participate in from anywhere! Students build a model sailboat from recycled and repurposed materials and race to victory while discovering engineering, mathematics, sailing, buoyancy, and stewardship. Two awards will be given for each fleet, including the fastest and most creative vessels.

Resources to teach during Women’s History Month:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repeat!: Lesson plan with waste management activity for Grades K-2. Check out the guide.

Solutions to Multiplying Plastic: Math problems about single-use plastics for Grades 3-5. Check out the resource.