Sunday Blitz? (Is that a word?)

If blitz isn't a word, My claim will now stand upon that word, but what should it mean?
By the way Jim...That bus is Pimp!
So yeah, this sunday I have a big day scheduled, and the woods take up most of the time so I've sectioned it off,
1st hour- Meeting room

• After everyone has arrived that are going to be there, we will discuss the camp, and whatever other topics come to mind, on the twisted scapes of our brains (don't mind me I had caffeine earlier; 1 coffee, 1 tea; both were loaded with sugar!)

2nd hour-Science Lab

• Learning the water quality testing equipment.

Next 5 or so hours

• Exploring the woods, getting samples from the ponds, exploring, bring equipment back, test samples so we learn equipment by example, then go back out exploring!

(Note: I like exploring! <('.'<))

~Kit Kat

Kit Kat:

Indeed, BLITZ is a word. It usually conatates some IMMENSE ACTION!

Best,

Jim

LATEST Informtion on Sol Summer Camp Initiative

Hi Guy's:

I'm sure some of you have recieved the LATEST (and I do mean late) information from Renee Kaspar. However, I thought I would "post" it for others whom may not have recieved same. What action would you recommend in response to this information? Your comments and understanding would be appreciated.

Best,

Jim

Jim,

I am so sorry, I have let the ball drop -- life has been overwhelming ! I was pulled in every direction from starting 2 new jobs to re-arranging my living situation, and getting a car -- it feels as though life has just been a big errand. Unfortunately, I am not going to able to move this forward, but Carol Gorelick has offered to see what she can do. Though we know it is late, we are thinking there still might be hope of resurrection. I just wanted to give you heads up that Carol will be directly in touch with you very shortly.

Here's hoping it all comes together,

Renee

Renee M. Kaspar

4 Westland Street

Watertown, MA 02472

617.924.8714

renee.kaspar@verizon.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Renee M. Kaspar [mailto:renee.kaspar@verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:33 AM
To: Martha Brown; Colonel Gary J. Mayo; Jross2@earthlink.net; coolgirl13tjb@aol.com; Sotun Krouch; kesmith882006@yahoo.com; dean@deansbeans.com; Carol Gorelick; Jseligma; Paula Harris; Todd Langton; Joe Laur; Anim Steel; Renee M. Kaspar
Subject: Steering Committee Meeting for the Youth Summer Program.

Happy New Year everyone. Carol and I are still on the track of trying to launch some kind of summer youth program this upcoming summer. Sorry, that I have been deliquent in getting this material out, but I just started a full time job which has been a bit more demanding than I thought it would be.

Anyway, late Decemeber we moved forward with the call, though the meeting was small it was quite productive. The group that showed up with the Detroit Youth. And they made quite and impact as they were filled with many great ideas. Attached you will find a copy of the minutes.

What I would like to do next is set up another call. And I think I am going to take a different approach. This time I am asking you to share what you availability might be next week - particularly after 5 in order to get me on board and the youth represented on the call. Once I see everyone's availability I will try to schedule another call. Can't wait to speak with you all !

All the best,

Renee

Renee M. Kaspar

4 Westland Street

Watertown, MA 02472

617.924.8714

renee.kaspar@verizon.net

Youth and Education for Sustainability Camp Retreat

Meeting Notes – December 27, 2004

Attendees:

Carol Gorelick cgorelick@notes.interliant.com

Renee Kaspar

David Oliver (Detroit student)

Caitlin Smith (Detroit student)

Amber ?ch?? (Detroit student)

Jim Ross (observatory-director)

Linda Terroni (Detroit teacher)

Planned Agenda

Introduction: Why we are here? – Renee

Agenda:

· 12:05 -12:15 Check-in

· 12:15 -12:20 Review Agenda

· 12:20 – 12:30 Purpose – Review/Discussion/Adoption

· 12:30 – 12:40 Review Concept (has everyone read it?)

· 12:40 - 1:00 Value Proposition – Brainstorm—Why is this a good idea?

· 1:00 – 1:30 Next Steps Discussion—who by when

o Steering Committee

o Time for Camp (1, 2, 3 weeks?)

o Age Range

o Selection process

o Location, venue (we have some connections with Duke or Cornell or Detroit)

o Program curriculum

o Number of students we will host

o Infrastructure requirements

o Costs to run the program

o Sponsors

Actual Discussion:

Introduction to Carol

· involved with SoL as research member and Trustee.

· Involved with youth through a primary school in Cape Town South Africa

· business school professor

· personal goal to create a Youth & Education branch of the Sustainability Consortium

Why are you here?

David: We are all willing to back up Renee

.

Renee-Others willing to participate in camp but not on this call-- Jeremy (Ford), Paula (Slumberger-SEED project), Dean from Dean’s Beans (fair trade, agriculture, coffee industry), Joe Laur (Sustainability Conference organizers)

Jim –description of “Observatory”—75 years old, solar observatory, 1^st to take motion photos of sun. We all met here. We connected through Ken Roberts and the Sustainability Consortium (we suggested Ken attend the conference). Sustainability part of observatory. Work at the observatory is extracurricular for students... Volunteers help to expand education/ knowledge in the classroom through REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE. It’s a way to give k-12 students real world experience that can’t be gotten at school.

John Iras--Iris (former principle of school, 37 years business, associated with Observatory for 12 years.—on board). Observatory was originally U of Michigan—bridge builders, amateur astronomers built 3 towers. It was the first research facility at U of M. They did film on the development of the sun (over 40 years)—no where else has this been done. We have applied digital technology to bring research into the 21^st century—open door policy. K-12 and university education= mission of Observatory. Partnered with discovery channel, Johnson space center. Make sure we are preparing people for work force. “Out of box thinkers” as young people are unusual today—need to have this for future.

Renee asked: # students involved in Observatory—level, age, model of operation.

John –number 20-150 depending on who you solicit for participation. 4 community centers (urban underserved population)—interesting CORE and backgrounds for work at the camp.

The model is based on:

6 hats De Bona—project based---thinking model that empowers young people to take an issue to next level….You have to DISCOVER answers. Socratic model of discovery, increase preparation for students. 50-100 kids go through the Observatory summer camp. Art, astronomy, chem. Lab, technology (observe sun) and they have capability to deliver content all over country. Web site being worked on.

Jim Ross—experience in 3 industries (automotive) using these systems thinking principles—graphics arts, automotive, HDTV. Rich heritage—out of box thinking, intellectual capacity, automotive industry….Few are invited to sit at this table—you have to have an open mind. We need to make sure that we are research based to be successful in the 21^st century.

What do you know about SoL?

Caitlin- From conference I learned that from a sustainability perspective we are not prepared. Significant learnings: 1^st day prep with Jamie Cloud—fishing game, 2^nd learning from Dean—fair trade (brought that home with me). Most memorable—they actually talked to us. Shared, helped us, we asked questions and they answered... TREATED US AS PEOPLE. Building on each other’s ideas.

Interests

· 2 young folks want to become hydroponics farmers and have bed and breakfast

· 1 student working on his own invention for alternative energy using self contained kinetic energy

Students’ concept for SoL:

To bring people from around the world learning how we can help each other move into the 21^st century (reason for hope). Get more creativity into SoL.

Suggestion: hold it at Observatory—they have a farm and can plan many experiences. Oakland University dorms can provide housing.

SoL Background-Carol

See: www.solonline.org

Note: Observatory has a web site—blog (chat room)—you can pass on information in an instant. They will set up the blog for this committee.

www.comsc.blogspot.com

Check-in

What would you like the camp to be?

David Oliver—I’d like interaction between students (students in project team and camp participants)—because it’s key for students to have a good memory of meeting people, interacting and take back [content] to spread wisdom. Scope and shape activities each person would be doing.

Caitlin- Going to see people from around the world (if possible). Interacting, knowing what they do at home—daily life.

Amber-Put a new face on the world—perception of Americans.

Linda-Participating since first Earth Day in 1969. Helping build alternative energy housing since 1978. Children should be exposed to project based learning and experience necessities of environmental concerns as it impacts us around the world.

Renee-excited to create a space for young people to interact with government, business, and so young people learn skill sets to make projects come into fruition. Also to have adults learn from young people what they have forgotten.

John Iris-do you have capacity to get video conference capacity? It would increase our ability to communicate—body language, commitment understood. We have video conferencing equipment. We have partnered with for profits….at minimal cost to have video events.

Most looking forward to general public understanding how sophisticated K-12 learners are compared to teachers. Teachers are not as prepared technologically as students are. Focus bringing public education and students around world to that realization. Funding sources need to know that it is not only technology but professional development that is necessary going forward. Young people will showcase talents to the rest of the world….switch paradigm for k-12.

Carol- story of Annual meeting where young person said “you won’t be here in 50 years we will—why don’t you include us directly in the meeting? My desire is to integrate government, ngo, education, youth and corporates for mutually desired outcomes...

Jim- from the point of view of Presence, I see the camp as a fresh canvas and we get the opportunity to paint it. These young people practice the tenets of SoL even if they don’t know it explicitly. They want to DO it and learn and experience it. They will be supported by Observatory…SoL event added awareness (broadness)—to issues at the crux of their understanding as young adults. The camp should be something engaging—young people involved in design if not development. Design is synthesis of environment around us. Development is the process control.

Process Check (20 minutes)-Renee

1. Purpose

2. Scope Issues

3. Next call

Review Purpose (as written)

John—Overall purpose—right re: SoL--appropriate

Linda—Second and keep it open

Caitlin--Not just social issues. It should also include the environment

David-About smaller schools that need to learn (10 years behind the business world).

John –“Schools that Learn”---tell us that smaller environments are better learning environments. It is NOT about money but purpose under which schools operate. State mandates versus learning how to think is a detriment to sustainability. You get sustainability through teaching thinking.

Renee—purpose based on David’s thoughts—small school model but not only selecting students from small schools.

Caitlin—small schools mean learning communities not physically small schools.

John-effectiveness increases exponentially in small environments.

Camp Purpose

· Diversity—area, cultures, religions to come together to share what we do, why and how it makes us feel. Create controversy that we can learn from.

· David Oliver’s grandfather—you are missing the point of the young people….they don’t want old guys with old ideas. They want young people with fresh ideas to build from. I am 64 learned more from young people than everything else on earth. Don’t want big wigs coming to take over the place. They want youngsters from other parts of the world to pick brains. Note: from Jim-Grandpa Oliver—has taken David to the Observatory for a year—He [Grandpa Oliver] co-creates with the young people. The Observatory is devoted to making sure that young people have opportunities.

· Intergenerational diversity is desirable at the camp.

Request—one Detroit participant co-lead camp with Renee (Carol can be facilitator, advisor). This student will represent youth on the Steering Committee. All the students can actively participate but this person will be the “spokesperson”.

Availability for next call—early January.

Action Items

1. Look up meaning of Iris. Is it really wisdom?—John Iras

2. Keep doodles and share—all students

3. Reports on research—opportunities for future get cites from John Iras.

4. Send e-mail’s and get blog for Observatory-Renee

5. Research better communication modalities-Renee/Carol

6. Schedule next meeting-Renee

7. Look at next steps in original proposal email. Provide guidance with rationale—Detroit sub-committee

8. Review purpose once more-all

9. Identify co-leader (student)-Detroit sub-committee

An Example of Virtual Education

Guys:

If you remember Don Carli and Oya Demirli from the Sol Conference 2005, you might be interested in this.

http://www.ive.kbcc.cuny.edu/

Best,

Jim

21st Century Classrooms and Wireless Oakland

Guys:

Something to consider.

http://www.techlearning.com/content/epubs/laptops/

Best,

Jim

Observatory Looking For Volunteers

Folks:

The observatory wetlands and nature trail committee particpates in this activity every year and is looking for like-minded voluteers.

Group seeks volunteers for frog count
Of The Daily Oakland Press

Quick! Before they croak!

The North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy needs volunteers to listen to frog and toad calls this spring.

The conservancy has been wanting to do a frog and toad survey for several years now, said Cynthia Balkwell, "because for one thing they are a good indicator of water quality."

Balkwell has participated for three years with the Friends of the Rouge listening for croaks, trills and other calls in the Rouge watershed. She's coordinating the conservancy's frog study as well as listening.

"I personally am going to be surveying in the south part of Springfield Township," she said. "What we would like to do is have survey groups in each of the four headwaters. Those would be the Shiawassee, Flint, Clinton and Huron rivers."

Each volunteer will be asked to visit a particular site three times during the spring to listen for frogs and toads.

And, despite the snow on the ground and the ice on the ponds, frog and toad season is not that far away. The western chorus frogs and spring peepers will get started soon.

"Soon as it gets above 46 degrees, somewhere in there and the snow starts to melt off the ground," Balkwell said.

Volunteers can attend a training session at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Holly Nature Center in Sorenson Park, 5142 East Holly Road. Volunteers will receive information and recordings of frogs and toads to acquaint themselves with their calls.

For information, or to register for Thursday's workshop, call the conservancy office at (248) 846-6547.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/032305/loc_20050323011.shtml

THINKING is the BEGINNING to STARTING

Folks:

Something to Ponder at the Observatory and the OSTC/NW Agri-Science Advisory Council Sub-committee.

THINKING LIKE SCIENTISTS: Birmingham district center focuses kids on environment


BY LAURA ANGUS
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

March 17, 2005

Bingham Farms Elementary School teacher Michelle Zibell's fifth-grade class spent a recent morning studying energy flow and ecosystems, not as students in a classroom, but as scientists in a lab.

Students peered into microscopes to study organisms and dipped thermometers into insulated containers containing hot water to see how energy flows.

Welcome to the Environmental Center in the Birmingham school district, where for more than 30 years students have learned about everything from pollution to pollen by doing, not just reading.

"It's all hands-on," said Zibell. "It's really a good thing for us."

Located on 10 acres behind the Bingham Farms Elementary School on 13 Mile Road, the center, with its surrounding nature trails and swamps, is a regular stop for elementary classes full of kids studying science.

Next month, the center will host its fourth annual fund-raiser to raise money for extras the district can't afford in these tough economic times. The center's office and teaching supplies budget, for example, has been trimmed from about $3,500 to $2,000 in recent years. Prior fund-raisers have raised thousands of dollars and paid for items such as carpeting and an outdoor shelter.

"The whole mission of the environmental center is to be, and to teach students to be, environmentally responsible," said Barbara Pepper, the center's teacher-consultant.

The Environmental Center property was originally part of the land intended for Bingham Farms Elementary School in the 1970s. After the school was built, a group of parents, teachers and students proposed it be used to create an outdoor learning lab.

After gaining support from the school board, the center opened in October 1972.

The center serves as a complement to the science curriculum for the district's elementary schools, while middle school students come for special projects and clubs, and high school students often volunteer to help with projects.

Third-graders come to study insects outside, for example, while second-graders have hunted for tracks in the snow while studying habitats.

"It's kind of cool looking at the creepy, crawly things," said Brad Benghiat, 11, of Southfield, as he looked at a display of animal skulls as part of a lesson on the food chain during a recent visit of Zibell's class.

Additions to the center this coming school year will include an observational beehive, expected to be built where students can watch the pollination process take place.

Also, a recent donation from a student's family means the center now has an extensive fossil and mineral collection. Pepper said she hopes to incorporate this into the second-grade program with a simulated fossil dig.

"It would be like the kids were doing a real dig," Pepper said.

THINK GREEN

•WHAT: Garden Garage Sale and Birdhouse Auction to benefit the Birmingham School District's Environmental Center

•WHEN: 1-3 p.m., April 30

•WHERE: At the center, 23400 W. Thirteen Mile Road in Bingham Farms

•WHY: To raise funds for projects and supplies at the center

•CONTACTS: To make a donation for the auction, or for information, contact Barbara Pepper at 248-203-3403 or bp03bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us

Copyright © 2005 Detroit Free Press Inc.

Variation on OUR Theme / Youth Leadership

Guys: (FYI)

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Metro teens such as Roma Bhata, left, Eryn Koehn, Arielle Forbes and Laura Miller have become more involved in local government. For example, the Mayor's Youth Council raised money for a teen hangout at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena.

Students' ideas take shape from Troy to Plymouth

Metro teens add their voices to boards and councils

By Amy Lee / The Detroit News

Getting involved

Several communities in recent years have placed teens on municipal boards to get a younger perspective on everything from city growth to libraries to historic preservation. Some cities also have youth councils, which are boards made up entirely of kids 18 and younger. Teens interested in serving their community on boards and commissions can contact the following officials to find out more.

Birmingham: Seaholm High School students can contact community services liaison Cheryl Shettel at (248) 203-3702.

Farmington Hills: Call Youth & Family Services at (248) 473-1841 for information about the Mayor's Youth Council or on opportunities to sit alongside adults on city boards.

Northville: The city's Youth Advisory Committee can be reached at (248) 374-0200.

Plymouth: The city's Community Youth Advisory Commission can be reached at (734) 354-3201.

Royal Oak: The city's Youth Assistance office can be reached at (248) 546-8282.

Southfield: Call the city's clerk's office at (248) 796-5150.

Troy: Applications are available on the city's Web site, or by calling the community affairs department (248) 524-1147.

FARMINGTON HILLS -- Concerned that there was nothing to do in their city, a group of students raised $60,000 and turned the unfinished second floor of the Farmington Hills Ice Arena into an attractive teen hangout.

The sleek, 3,500-square-foot space now draws crowds on weekends, thanks to the kids' group called the Mayor's Youth Council.

"I want to make sure that my opinion is heard because if I don't get out there, maybe other people will and I'll lose the chance to make a difference," said Laura Miller, a sophomore who got active partly because "my mom always wants me to sign up for stuff I can put on my college application."

Farmington Hills is one of a growing number of communities that are turning to students for input on how to improve their towns, either by appointing them to formerly adult-only boards or to youth-only advisory committees. Novi this month joined cities such as Northville, Plymouth, Troy and Birmingham in finding new ways to get student input.

For cities, it's a chance to get a younger perspective on issues as diverse as library services, city beautification and historic preservation. For kids, it's a chance to have a say.

"I definitely have some opinions and beliefs that would benefit the city, and I know other kids do, too," said Chris Jodoin, 15, a sophomore at Novi High School who is excited about the opportunity.

"We're the future and what they do right now affects us. We should have a say in it," Jodoin said.

Novi's City Council agreed to allow 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to become nonvoting members on four of the city's 15 appointed boards and commissions.

"This is a chance for them to be more civic-minded and be able to participate and share their thoughts on how they want their community to look," said Lynne Paul, Novi councilwoman who pitched the proposal. "I've said many times before that as hard as I try to think like a teenager, I just can't."

Evolving from grief

In Farmington Hills, the growing youth involvement began when a car accident killed classmate Dan Lee in front of the high school. A group of students persuaded the city to install a left-turn sign at 12 Mile and Rollcrest in front of Harrison High School.

"Kids pushed and brought that to the forefront," and adults became more accepting of student input on city matters, said Todd Lipa, the city's director of youth and family services.

In communities where student involvement on boards has developed, school districts often serve as a liaison between the city and the students who want to participate. Students typically apply in writing for a position. Some communities ask students to write an essay about their concerns and how they can assist board members.

Commitments range from quarterly meetings to weekly meetings, depending on the board. And not all students can be counted on to dedicate the time, said David Waller, who has worked with several student advisers during his 11-year tenure on Troy's planning board.

"Showing up -- that's the dilemma. It's not often apparent the level of commitment a student will have," he said. "But regardless, I applaud it. We have to keep trying to impress upon them the value and importance of what we do."

Troy a leader

Troy may be a model for students involved in their community. Students serve on an all-teen Troy Youth Council and can also apply to serve as a nonvoting member of 14 adult boards. The city began appointing kids to adult boards in 1999.

Kids have offered advice on everything from traffic issues near the high schools to entertainment and activities at the Troy Daze festival to an analysis of open space and wetlands within city limits.

The city's two student library board advisers can largely take credit for the library's ongoing initiative to become a wireless hot spot, enabling anyone with a laptop computer to link up to the Internet from anywhere in the 50,000-square-foot library, said library director Brian Stoutenburg.

"They want to be wired all the time," he said. "We love having them because a large part of our clientele is our teenagers and they're traditionally very difficult to serve because, well, we don't know anything about them."

Library board teen advisers Lauren Andreoff, a junior at Detroit Country Day, and Chang Chen, a junior at Troy High School, are vocal and persistent in their desire to see Troy's library become "technologically more avant-garde," as Stoutenburg put it.

"They're maybe not as familiar or comfortable with technology as we are," Andreoff, 16, said of her counterparts on the library board.

She got involved with the adult board because she spends much of her time doing homework or studying at the library.

"Being in a leadership position and being involved makes me feel like I'm doing something to help the world around me," she said. "I've always been interested in what goes on behind the scenes at the library and the things they have to deal with. The community there fits me."

Aiding Birmingham, Plymouth

Familiarity drew Kyle Astrein, 17, a senior at Birmingham Seaholm High School to serve her city's popular downtown. Astrein's family owns Astrein Jewelers and the teenager also works part time at the upscale retail shop Caruso Caruso.

Astrein served on the city's principal shopping district board, which is made up of about 15 retailers and community members. She felt retailers were missing out on the cash teens have to spend, even in the pricey downtown boutiques.

The group was willing to listen to her concerns and Astrein said she could sense a slight change in the downtown vibe after about a year.

"I saw the new advertising around Birmingham move away from being so sophisticated to having a more youthful and broader feel," she said.

In Plymouth, teens have undertaken their biggest challenge -- to design and raise more than $75,000 to replace a toppled fountain in Kellogg Park. Members of the city's youth advisory commission held a design contest and, in February, selected an 11-year-old girl's submission for the design of the new Fountain of Youth, as it has been dubbed. The teens hope to begin fund raising in April.

"It will take time and a lot of money, but it's just weird there without the fountain," said Sarah Pursell, 14, a freshman at Plymouth Salem High School. "We've never done anything this big, so we're pretty excited. We'll do anything to make this happen."

You can reach Amy Lee at (248) 647-8605 or alee@detnews.com.

Thanks To Sherry Kuchon! (3-15)

See the above heading for the magic password! Anyway I am glad to hear that this meeting is still in a forward position. I also think it would be beneficial to go over the graphics design for this presentation considering that the agenda is still in the bank. I also was thinking about that idea of turning lemons into lemonade quite frequently because I thought something else was going on. I don't think anyone would appreciate what I was thinking so I decided to keep my words soft and sweet.

Thanks to Sherry, because without you this meeting wouldn't be possible! Your other efforts are to numerous to mention! She is number one in my book!

Best to all, -John Ott

Well folks, it appears the prize goes to Mr. Ott for being the slueth of the moment. Much continued success John (SEE posting of PRIZE on his blog-site).

Best,

Jim

10 Point Toss-up Prize For the First CFG Person Who Responds!

Hi Guys:

Look for the Magic Prize Password...................

Hi Tom:

It appears the V-Tel will be winging its way back to the campus for a Friday deans meeting as you can see. When would you like to reschedule?

Hope all finds you well.

Best,

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 2:47 PM
To: 'Kuchon, Sherry'
Subject: RE: V-tel unit

Sherry:

YOU are the magician! We were attempting to schedule for 9:00AM however I don't believe Tom Smith gave them the paperwork after being told it was not possible. I will inquire with him and see if he did and/or we will reschedule.

THANKS for the quick action. There are some kids (and teachers) that are going to be very happy and thankful that they know Sherry Kuchon!

Best,

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Kuchon, Sherry [mailto:Sherry.Kuchon@oakland.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 2:12 PM
To: Jim Ross (E-mail)
Subject: V-tel unit

Jim,

I just spoke with technology services. They said the Kodak V-tel unit at the northwest campus had a problem with the mother board and it was brought here for repair. It should be back at the NW campus for a Friday morning video conference with the Deans. What time is your meeting scheduled for?

I was told that the V-tel unit looks like two units, but it is only one with two monitors.

Also, I left a message with Brooks Patterson's communication specialist about tomorrow's meeting. If I learn anything, I'll share.

Hope that helps ;-)

Sherry

Magic Prize Password is Sherry Kuchon!