Greetings from ANJEE

Yes, it's that time of year again, there's snow, there's ice, so there must be ANJEE. Okay, there's not always winter weather when we travel to see our friends in New Jersey at the annual conference for Environmental Education, but we certainly remember the years when the weather has turned white. This was certainly one of them with the conference preceded by piles of snow and nowhere to park.

NASA's Climate Kids Makes Global Warming Fun!

Well it doesn't actually make global warming fun, but it makes learning about it fun and proves that even kids are smart enough to see this phenomenon is actually happening. Includes activities for kids, information on Green careers, teachers resources, and more. I just added the link to my page of books on Environment Issues and Action. You can visit there for this and other great links to free online materials. Click here to visit Climate Kids.

MAEOE Early Registration

Last year Randy's Books made our first appearance at the MAEOE Conference after YEARS of promising to try next year. We made lots of new friends and met some old ones who were as surprised to see us as we were them. We plan to be there again this year. Do you? It's a great EE conference if you're in Maryland, or any other place on Planet Earth for that matter. Register NOW!
Check out the MAEOE Conference page here.

Great Insect Web Page

I just added a link on my Insect and Arthropod page to a great resource for... well insects and arthropods.
You'll find tons and tons of insect photos on the Bug Guide. In their own words:
"We are an online community of naturalists who enjoy learning about and sharing our observations of insects, spiders, and other related creatures.
We enjoy the opportunity to instill in others the fascination and appreciation that we share for the intricate lives of these oft-maligned creatures."
I especially like the clickable guide that gets you started with a simple line drawing of the type of creature you're looking for... or at. Click HERE and enjoy. 

Wild About Waterfowl

I attended a great workshop at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. Presenters Bert Myers and Theresa Alberici along with other Game Commission specialists put on a tremendous program. In the morning we all got hands-on with waterfowl, mostly Wood Ducks and this one Mallard, and in the afternoon in the classroom had a tour of species, a population counting exercise, and of course TONS of resources. I'll be taking a good look at my waterfowl titles and of course looking for more. Look for some new links to free materials in the web calendar (at the bottom of each topic page there are links to free materials). In this case birds and/or habitat may be updated soon.
And click HERE for over a hundred pictures of the event. If I get the chance I'll be adding captions and weeding some out. Enjoy

Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards

Check out the draft of the new framework for new standards. Feedback is sought by August 2. Draft and other materials can be found here.
This project funded with generous support from the Carnegie Corporation is to develop a framework to guide the development of new science education standards. The project will be led by a committee of experts in the scientific disciplines, cognitive science, learning theory, and educational policy. The framework developed by the committee will identify and articulate the core ideas in science in the disciplines of life sciences, physical sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering and technology, cross cutting ideas and scientific practices. The committee will draw on current research on science learning as well as research and evaluation evidence related to standards-based education reform. This will include existing efforts to specify central ideas for science education including the National Science Education Standards, AAAS’s Science for All Americans and Benchmarks for Science Literacy, the 2009 NAEP Science Framework, and the redesign of the AP science courses by the College Board.

Pennsylvania Geology vol 40 no 1

Check out the latest copy of Pennsylvania Geology. Learn about Mammoth Spring, the third largest spring in PA. What county is it in? Read the article to find out.
Also check out a geological primer on organic geochemistry using the Geochemistry of the Marcellus Shale.