Education

Click on topics to learn more about the Muskingum SWCD Education programs

	2009 Camp Adventure	Go Green 2010 Camp Adventure	Click below for the most recent issue of our Teacher Newsletter "The Mud Puddle"
Education Specialist, Nicole Hafer nicole.hafer@muskingumswcd.org	Muskingum SWCD Office 225 Underwood Street Suite 100 Zanesville, OH 43701 (740) 454-2027	2010 Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats	Click on the link below to view available 2010 - 2011 School Programs

Conservation Education programs help people of all ages understand and appreciate our country's natural resources and how to conserve those resources for future generations. Through educational experiences and hands-on activities, conservation education enables people to realize how natural resources and ecosystems affect each other and how resources can be used wisely.

2010 College Scholarship

In an effort to increase knowledge and leadership in the areas of agriculture or natural resources in Muskingum County, the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District each year provides local high school students with the opportunity to apply for a college scholarship.

2010 Scholarship applicants have to be residents of Muskingum County, carrying a GPA of 2.5 or above, and must to be studying an agricultural, natural sciences or a closely related field of study. Also considered is the students’ extracurricular and community activities. A total of two scholarships of $250 will be awarded.

Recipients of the 2009 scholarships were Alexandra Burris and Katherine Riley.

Alexandra Burris is the daughter of David and Sarah Burris. She is a graduate of West Muskingum High School and will be attending Miami University in the fall where she will be majoring in Zoology.

Katherine Riley the daughter of Rodney and Maureen Riley. She is a graduate of Licking County Christian Academy. She will be attending Muskingum College, where she will be majoring in Biology.

The Muskingum SWCD extends congratulations to the winners and wishes each the very best in pursuing their future goals.


Alexandra Burris	Katherine Riley

2010 Conservation Educator of the Year

Each year the MSWCD honors an educator for his/her work in conservation education. The program began in 1984 with the goal to create an awareness and appreciation of the value of conservation education and the advancement of the wise use, protection, and enhancement of the nation’s soil, water, and related resources. The winner(s) will receive an award and recognition at our Annual Meeting and Banquet and may be featured in our District Newsletter. Nominees must have taught soil and water conservation concepts to students of Muskingum County for a minimum of three years. Educators do not need to specialize only in environmental education. The award is based on the quality and scope of the educator’s conservation education program and activities in the last three years. Items that will be considered include: knowledge of conservation concepts, requirements of the job description and how the nominee goes beyond those requirements, creativity and innovative teaching methods, and how the students have applied the knowledge of conservation principals to individual, group, school, and/or community projects. For a list of past winners of the Conservation Educator of the Year award, click here.	2009 Conservation Educator of the Year Winners:
		Bob Daniels West Muskingum High School
		Tami Meaige Westview Elementary School
		Stacey Mohler Westview Elementary School

Envirothon Contest

The Area 3 Envirothon is a sixteen-county competition which was held May 5th at Perry County Gun Club in Perry County. This year’s theme was “Protection of Groundwater through Urban, Agricultural and Environmental Planning. The Philo High School Gold team took seventh place, out of fifty-five teams, with a total of 74 points. Philo High School Gold team members included: Eli Woodrow, Catlyn Silvus, James Hock, Jamie Sprague and Joe Parker. The team was accompanied by their instructor Mr. Bill Boston. Mr. Boston teaches Science at Philo High School.

The Envirothon is a competitive event for high school students. The program tests student's knowledge in five categories: soil, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and current environmental issues. It is designed to stimulate and reinforce their interest in the environment and our natural resources. It also encourages cooperative decision making, team building, and problem solving. Teams consist of five members from the same school who have worked together to prepare for the competition.

This year, five teams from local high schools represented Muskingum County. Students from Mid-East Career and Technology Center, Philo High School, and Tri-Valley High School participated in the event. Mid-East CTC1 placed 12th. Congratulations to all!

In Ohio, the Envirothon Competition is sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (OFSWCD) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Soil and Water Conservation. They are assisted by natural resource and environmental specialists from many agencies, organizations, universities, and businesses to develop the Envirothon questions and staff the testing stations.

Click here for more information about Envirothon Contests!

Philo High School Gold Team

Left to Right:

Eli Woodrow, Catlyn Silvus, James Hock, Jamie Sprague and Joe Parker.

2009 Camp Adventure

Camp Adventure 2010 will be held this year at Friendly Hills Grange Camp on July 1st and 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

We created tasty soil profiles.	Soil Critters!!!
Our sponsors for 2009 Camp Adventure.
Camp is Fun!
We painted fossils.	We learned about earthworms.
Archaeology	Archaeology

Classroom Presentation Topics

Our Education Specialist, Nicole Hafer, is available to present hands-on activities to Muskingum County classrooms free of charge. In order to accommodate the increase in requests for conservation classroom presentations and to enable her to visit more classrooms, there will be a limit to the number of programs each grade can schedule per school for the 2010-2011 school year. Each grade level will be able to schedule a total of three presentations each school year.

2010-2011 School Program Topics

All programs meet Academic Content Standards for Science grades K-12

Check out our Middle and High School Programs!

Forest Forensics - (Grades 9-12) Students will use several methods of data collection to discover that a forest is a complex, dynamic and constantly changing ecosystem. Access to a wooded area on school grounds is needed for high school students to get the most out of this program.

Biodiversity in Ecosystems - (Grades 9-12) This presentation is designed for students to discover the interconnectedness of all components in an ecosystem. Students will be able to define carrying capacity and limiting factors and how they relate to population fluctuations. They will also discover how environmental factors affect heredity and the impact of non-native species in an ecosystem.

Soil Ecology - (Grades 5-10) New presentation!! In this new presentation, students examine the life under their feet, compare soil ecosystems to other ecosystems and learn about the complex relationship among soil organisms. The presentation can be scheduled in the fall or spring when the ground is not frozen!

H2Olympics – (Grades 4–12) New presentation!! Students learn about the properties of water molecules and better understand the forces that contribute to these properties. Students discover how adhesion and cohesion work as well as surface tension and capillary action. Includes demonstrations and hands-on activities.

Changing the Land – (Grade 4-8) Students compare historical aerial photographs with current aerial photographs to determine what factors influence land use decisions, the impact of different land uses in an area and future changes in land use and their effects. Activities include discussion of human impact on natural environments and carrying capacity within those environments.

Food Webs and Forest Ecology - (Grades 4-6) This presentation meets academic content standards for life sciences in the 5th grade. Students experience the interdependence of plants and animals in a forest ecosystem and how living things adapt to changes in their ecosystems.

Enviroscape Demonstration – (Grades 3-9) A land use model of a watershed demonstrating the effects of the surrounding land use on water quality. Students learn about non-point source pollution and the best methods to manage our land so as to protect our water resources.

Go Green with Recycling - (Grades 3-6) Learn about the importance of recycling, what items can be recycled, and how we can all help reduce the human impact on our environment.

Watersheds and the Water Cycle – (Grades 3-6) Students become water molecules and go on an incredible journey through the water cycle. They record their journey and identify the states of water while on their journey.

Soils with Weathering and Erosion – (Grades 3-6) This program was developed to meet the Science Content Standards’ third grade soil requirement. Students learn about soil composition, formation and the importance of soil conservation.

Fall Forestry – (Grades 3-5) Learn why leaves change colors and how trees prepare for winter. Students also learn how to identify several common Ohio tree species by their branch arrangement and how to use a dichotomous key. Available August through October but can be modified for a spring tree identification activity.

Our Ohio Mammals – (Grades 2-5) Students learn about the life histories of many common Ohio mammals by examining their skulls, fur and tracks. This program discusses the change in the populations of many of these animals as well as endangered species in the state from past to present.

Reptiles and Amphibians – (Grades 1-6) Discover the wonders of these groups of animals and the role they play in a healthy ecosystem. This program also discusses their declining population worldwide and the importance of biodiversity. Live animals are utilized during this presentation.

Monarch Madness - (Grades 1-5) Students learn about the amazing life journey of the Monarch butterfly. This presentation includes information on the lifecycle, life history and migration of this amazing insect.

The Wild Turkey – (Grades 1-4) Students learn about this interesting game bird and how they have returned to Ohio after years of absence. Activities include a game, turkey calls and lots of fun facts. This can be modified as a lab activity for middle and high school students.

The Amazing Eastern Box Turtle – (Grades K-2) Students get up close and personal with Ohio’s only land turtle. Activities include a story, game and live turtles.

Earthworms! - (Grades K-3) New Presentation!! In this new presentation students learn about the fascinating life of the earthworm and visit with Squirming' Herman, our six foot long earthworm friend. Activities include observation of live earthworm behavior and a great worm story!

Please schedule early to ensure we are able to visit your classroom in the upcoming school year.

Available Teacher Resources

Our office has a variety of resources available to teachers to help supplement the curriculum. We offer a variety of publications and fact sheets as well as many great ideas for bringing nature into your classroom. Contact Education Specialist Nicole Hafer @ 454-2027 to schedule classroom programs or for assistance enhancing your current curriculum.