Hand’s WOODS Hand’s WOODS Service LearningService Learning

Millersville UniversityMillersville University

Nick Dower, Phelan Piehota,Nick Dower, Phelan Piehota,

Gary Weiberg, Rachel WengertGary Weiberg, Rachel Wengert

Goal Goal

Primary focus of the Hand’s WOODS Foundation Primary focus of the Hand’s WOODS Foundation support both financially and educationallysupport both financially and educationally facilitating and initiating relationships with facilitating and initiating relationships with

volunteers who teach through using some volunteers who teach through using some aspect of the woodsaspect of the woods

assists teachers in incorporating the woodlot into assists teachers in incorporating the woodlot into their curriculumtheir curriculum

Most of the foundation will consist of students Most of the foundation will consist of students and other members of the local community and other members of the local community (lawyers, teachers, administrators, etc.) (lawyers, teachers, administrators, etc.)

Mission StatementMission Statement

The mission statement of the The mission statement of the Hand’s WOODS Foundation is that Hand’s WOODS Foundation is that from K-5 to college the project will from K-5 to college the project will offer the opportunity for students to offer the opportunity for students to learn about all components of learn about all components of environmental awareness and action.environmental awareness and action.

Board Structure ProposalBoard Structure Proposal Executive DirectorExecutive Director- - Andrew DuncanAndrew Duncan

Public Relations Liason- Public Relations Liason- Larry Mays, Ana Pabon, and Larry Mays, Ana Pabon, and Diane PattonDiane Patton

Safety and Security Liason - Safety and Security Liason - Officer Diaz and Mike Officer Diaz and Mike SaladikSaladik

Funding Director - Funding Director - Schirlyn KamaraSchirlyn Kamara

Education Director - Education Director - Schirlyn KamaraSchirlyn Kamara

Labor Planning Director - Labor Planning Director - Carl Martin, Chris Hardy and Carl Martin, Chris Hardy and Mary Gattis-SchellMary Gattis-Schell

Program Coordinator - Program Coordinator - Paid position with assistance from Paid position with assistance from Mary Gattis-SchellMary Gattis-Schell

SecretarySecretary

BackgroundBackgroundEdward Hand Middle SchoolEdward Hand Middle School Opened in 1925- East Junior High SchoolOpened in 1925- East Junior High School 1995-renamed Edward Hand Middle School (6, 7, 8)1995-renamed Edward Hand Middle School (6, 7, 8) General Edward Hand (1744-1802)General Edward Hand (1744-1802)

-Born in Ireland- originally studied medicine-Born in Ireland- originally studied medicine-18-18thth Royal Irish Regiment Royal Irish Regiment-1767-Moved to America-1767-Moved to America-Settled in Lancaster practicing medicine-Settled in Lancaster practicing medicine-Personal physician to George Washington (Revolutionary war)-Personal physician to George Washington (Revolutionary war)-A figurehead locally and nationally with political and civil affairs-A figurehead locally and nationally with political and civil affairs

George Washington ElementaryGeorge Washington Elementary Built in 1932Built in 1932 ~625 students- grades K-5~625 students- grades K-5 Diverse backgroundsDiverse backgrounds Full-day kindergartenFull-day kindergarten Use of Boys and Girls education model which teaches social skillsUse of Boys and Girls education model which teaches social skills After school programsAfter school programs

- L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone) - L.I.F.E. (Learning Is For Everyone)

Woodlot HistoryWoodlot HistoryConestoga Indian TribeConestoga Indian Tribe Inhabited the land before white settlement in Inhabited the land before white settlement in

Lancaster (1718)Lancaster (1718) Killed on December 27, 1763 right in the center of Killed on December 27, 1763 right in the center of

Lancaster City Lancaster City

Current WoodlotCurrent Woodlot Trolley tracks leading to vacation area in Sunny SideTrolley tracks leading to vacation area in Sunny Side Has had numerous property ownersHas had numerous property owners False myth- Barney Google TownFalse myth- Barney Google Town ShantytownShantytown Glue factories (1884)Glue factories (1884) Phosphate worksPhosphate works

1864

1875

Utilizing the WOODSUtilizing the WOODS

•Increase/reinforce Biological concepts by seeing actual Increase/reinforce Biological concepts by seeing actual processes in actionprocesses in action•Enhances the classroom environment by involving the Enhances the classroom environment by involving the studentsstudents•Increase the students’ feelings of involvement in their Increase the students’ feelings of involvement in their surrounding community, as well as school pridesurrounding community, as well as school pride•A place they can call their ownA place they can call their own•Increase awareness of their environmental footprints at Increase awareness of their environmental footprints at an early agean early age

EducationEducation Introduction material for outdoor integrative Introduction material for outdoor integrative

activitiesactivities Sustainability and GardeningSustainability and Gardening

-Experiments with plants renewable/non--Experiments with plants renewable/non-renewable energyrenewable energy

1. “Children Gardening: First Steps Toward a 1. “Children Gardening: First Steps Toward a Sustainable Future”Sustainable Future”

2. “Long Term Plant Biodiversity Study”2. “Long Term Plant Biodiversity Study”

3. “Primary Osmosis: Plants, Growth, and 3. “Primary Osmosis: Plants, Growth, and Needing Some Inspiration”Needing Some Inspiration”

Education…Education…Earth, Soil, and HabitatsEarth, Soil, and HabitatsLab Experiments: EarthLab Experiments: Earth

Grade 1 science packet: Describe the features of the earth’s Grade 1 science packet: Describe the features of the earth’s surface, describe basic rocks and soil, and discuss the surface, describe basic rocks and soil, and discuss the characteristics and uses of air.characteristics and uses of air.Grade 2: Appreciate the intricacy of the environment and Grade 2: Appreciate the intricacy of the environment and recognize interactions in the environment.recognize interactions in the environment.Grade 3: Describe the structure of the Earth and describe Grade 3: Describe the structure of the Earth and describe some characteristics of the crust.some characteristics of the crust.Grade 4: Provide evidence of the Earth’s history, describe Grade 4: Provide evidence of the Earth’s history, describe how fossils are formed, and recognize how inferences are how fossils are formed, and recognize how inferences are made.made.

Education…Education…

Plant DynamicsPlant DynamicsExperiments with PlantsExperiments with Plants::1.1. Packet 1- Grade 1: Science PlantsPacket 1- Grade 1: Science Plants2.2. Packet 2- Grade 2: Science PlantsPacket 2- Grade 2: Science Plants3.3. Packet 3- Grade 5: Science Plant Structure Packet 3- Grade 5: Science Plant Structure

and Functionand Function4.4. Packet 4- Middle School Science Fair Projects, Packet 4- Middle School Science Fair Projects,

by Anne Marie Helmenstine Ph. D.by Anne Marie Helmenstine Ph. D.5.5. Packet 5- Writing Prompt Experiment with Packet 5- Writing Prompt Experiment with

PlantsPlants

Education…Education…

Watershed ActivitiesWatershed Activities

1. “My Watershed” - An early elementary 1. “My Watershed” - An early elementary curriculum exploring local hydrology.curriculum exploring local hydrology.

2. “Shedding Light on Watersheds” - More 2. “Shedding Light on Watersheds” - More advanced content is covered, including basic advanced content is covered, including basic terms and experiments.terms and experiments.

3. “What is a Watershed?”- A simple runoff 3. “What is a Watershed?”- A simple runoff demonstration in a watershed.demonstration in a watershed.

Education…Education…

Physical EducationPhysical Education

1.1. ““Alternative Environment Activities” Alternative Environment Activities” (packet)(packet)

2.2. ““Evaluation of a Ropes Course Evaluation of a Ropes Course Experience for At-Risk Secondary Experience for At-Risk Secondary School Students”School Students”

By: Laura Conley, Paul Calderella, and By: Laura Conley, Paul Calderella, and Ellie YoungEllie Young

N S

Plant MaintenancePlant Maintenance

• Ivy and Clamatis ground cover needs to be removed• Open canopy in this area provides good sunlight for newly planted species• Possible area to engage in forest restoration and plant native species• Possible area for experiments in planting and/or farming

• Woodlot is full of the potentially invasive species: Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii)• This species should be removed and replaced with: Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin).• Spicebush is a non-invasive species and will attract birds to the woodlot

SecuritySecurity

Lot aspects: surrounding community, geological Lot aspects: surrounding community, geological formations, diverse plant lifeformations, diverse plant life

Records obtained of significant events in surrounding Records obtained of significant events in surrounding areaarea

Security measures should be implemented based on Security measures should be implemented based on greatest security riskgreatest security risk

Police ‘recent incident reports’-9/9/07 to 10/22/07Police ‘recent incident reports’-9/9/07 to 10/22/07 Surrounding area of Hand Middle School- 200 Block of Surrounding area of Hand Middle School- 200 Block of

every street towards the school groundsevery street towards the school grounds

Security…Security…

Prominent FeaturesProminent Features•Constant presence of school and/or law enforcement Constant presence of school and/or law enforcement personnelpersonnel-365 days a year-365 days a year-summer/winter camps through the school-summer/winter camps through the school-scout/outdoor organizations-scout/outdoor organizations-random patrols by community members, police officers, -random patrols by community members, police officers, or teachersor teachers•Development and maintenance of established pathsDevelopment and maintenance of established paths•Establishing entrances and exits to the wooded lot Establishing entrances and exits to the wooded lot -natural obstacles (boulders, logs, etc.)-natural obstacles (boulders, logs, etc.)-allow pedestrian movement but deny the entrance of all--allow pedestrian movement but deny the entrance of all-terrain vehiclesterrain vehicles

Financial SupportFinancial SupportMelinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation – Grants available up to $1500 for Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation – Grants available up to $1500 for

environmental educationenvironmental educationIn contact with Dan Ardia (President) who is interested in the Hands’ WOODS project and In contact with Dan Ardia (President) who is interested in the Hands’ WOODS project and

would like us to submit an application asap.would like us to submit an application asap.  Stauffers of Kissel Hill – give VERY small monetary donations, may be able to get native Stauffers of Kissel Hill – give VERY small monetary donations, may be able to get native

plant species donated (Contacted through email, have not received a response)plant species donated (Contacted through email, have not received a response)  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Grants available U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Grants available

Applications must be submitted by 12/20Applications must be submitted by 12/20  SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards –– awards awards

$10,000 to k-12 or non-profit group for helping the environment. $10,000 to k-12 or non-profit group for helping the environment. (Deadline has passed for 2008, will have to wait for 2009). (Deadline has passed for 2008, will have to wait for 2009). http://www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters/eea/about.htmhttp://www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters/eea/about.htm

  PA Department of environmental education PA Department of environmental education –– Provides grants for projects like Provides grants for projects like

Hands WOODSHands WOODShttp://www.depweb.state.pa.us/enved/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=473483http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/enved/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=473483

Works CitedWorks Cited

Edward Hand Middle SchoolEdward Hand Middle Schoolwww.lancaster.k12.pa.us/middle_school/hand/index.htm.www.lancaster.k12.pa.us/middle_school/hand/index.htm.

George Washington Elementary SchoolGeorge Washington Elementary Schoolwww.lancaster.k12.pa.us/elementary/washington/index.htm.www.lancaster.k12.pa.us/elementary/washington/index.htm.

Lancaster School DistrictLancaster School Districtwww.lancaster.k12.pa.us/index.htm.www.lancaster.k12.pa.us/index.htm.

Lancaster Police DepartmentLancaster Police Department(717) 664-1180(717) 664-1180

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that

will provide a sustainable future" 

-- John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day