“The Art and Science of Sustainable Living”
Kids ages 8 to 15 are invited to join us for six weeks of field-based, small-group experiential learning activities exploring our connections to the natural world and their relation to our lifestyle choices. We’ll practice the skills of a scientist and artist with a Field Journal, explore beautiful local natural settings, join together in creative collaborative learning activities, study the science behind gardening and composting, discover Green Design, and celebrate the joys of sustainable living with our own home-grown arts festival to end the course. This is just the beginning of a lifetime adventure!
Who: Kids ages 8 to 14 with accompanying adult (optional)
What: “The Art and Science of Sustainable Living”
Where: Field-based study locations include the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve in Murrieta, our 3-acre homestead in Wildomar, and additional field trips to a privately owned Sustainable Living home and garden in Tenaja.
When: Thursdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. beginning September 16, 2010.
Why: Read the class descriptions below! We’ll have so much fun learning together!
How much: $90 for six 2-hour classes. Tuition due Monday September 13. Sibling discount: 10% each child.
Class size limited to 10 for mentor-style, small-group collaborative learning. Parent participation encouraged! Interested parents may join enrolled student(s) for free.
Please email EniciaFisher@gmail.com today to reserve your space!
PROPOSED WEEKLY CURRICULUM:
Topics and locations subject to change; I’ll send email reminders to confirm location each week.
Week 1
Theme: “Green Hour: Nature Appreciation and Field Study”
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Granite Loop Trail in Murrieta
Practice the skills of a naturalist as you gain an appreciation for our local ecology and our role within our own ecosystem, and set a goal to make a weekly “green hour” date with your family. Begin your field journal as you learn how to observe and record your environment in an artistic and scientific fashion.
Week 2
Theme: “Today's Victory Gardens”
Location: Sage Hill Homestead in Wildomar
Just in time for planting your cool weather crops!!! Join America’s “Freedom gardeners” to promote sustainability through home-grown, local, and organic food. Learn the science behind companion planting, exercise math skills in square foot (or indoor “square inch”) gardening, and discover the fascinating world of heirloom produce as you sketch "portraits" of these unique fruits & veggies in your field journal. Learn about local CSA’s you can join if you’re not ready to grown your own food. . . or arrange to plant your own plot in our Community Garden at Sage Hill Homestead.
Week 3
Theme: “Earth Cycles: A Scientific Investigation”
Location: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Vernal Pool Trailhead in Murrieta
Learn about Earth’s carbon and water cycles and your role within them through a creative role-play activity; learn about the amazing ecology of this rare ecosystem; and make additional entries in your Field Journal to develop your ability to communicate keen and careful observations of your surroundings. Take a carbon and water survey of your home and bring the results of your “ecological footprint” study to share with the group next week.
Week 4
Theme: “Composting: A Scientific Investigation”
Location: Sage Hill Homestead in Wildomar
Learn about the life cycle of trash and how to turn kitchen trash to garden treasure through a variety of composting techniques. Apply the scientific process as you determine the life cycles of organic and inorganic waste, and enjoy a “hands-on” experience with fungi, microorganisms and insects that help with the important task of decomposition.
Week 5
Theme: “Green Your Room! Designing an Earth-Friendly Room”
Location: Sage Hill Homestead in Wildomar
It’s time to clean up your room, kids! Explore earth-friendly materials and design elements that can make your home environment a sustainable ecosystem for you and your family! Design your own personal greenspace including furniture, bedding, flooring, and décor to make you feel good.
Week 6
Theme: “Sustainable Living Arts Festival”
Location: Sage Hill Homestead in Wildomar
Share the joys of a more sustainable, self-sufficient life through domestic science and arts projects (reclaimed and recycled arts, nature handcrafts, home-grown music and more). Celebrate our new community centered on this exciting journey—what will we do next???
