THE LEARNING BARN
a t W i l l o w C r e e k F a r m
Sowing organic learning in a simple social setting.
STUDENT LIFE
"Playrooms and games, animals and plants, wood and nails, must take their place side-by-side with books and words." --Angelo Patri
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Within the one-room-school-house environment, students will have the advantages of an intimate classroom experience tailored to meet the needs of individuals, combined with group learning that builds social and emotional skills. In the micro-school setting, students will find spaces designed for reading and reflection, making and tinkering, as well as more traditional classroom activities, all intended to promote exploration, efficacy, and discovery. Students will develop grit, curiosity, creativity, and ingenuity through art and engineering design projects. Students will also participate in citizen science through farm school activities and through associations with local, national, and international organizations.
The Learning Barn is proud to be associated with...
KID WIND
Through their KidWind Challenge program, REcharge Labs seeks to engage and inspire today’s students to become the innovative renewable energy leaders of tomorrow. Their mission is to provide effective hands-on learning resources that bring renewable energy education to teachers and their students worldwide. When students participate in a KidWind Challenge they will:
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Discover the promise and limitations of wind energy technology
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Design a functional wind turbine based on their knowledge of wind energy
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Create a wind turbine of their own and test its performance
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Compete against peers for the most creative functional turbine.
More info at www.kidwind.org
Trout in the Classroom
Trout in the Classroom is an educational outreach program sponsored by Trout Unlimited. Trout in the Classroom (TIC) offers students of all ages a chance to raise Salmonids in a classroom setting and then release them into a nearby stream or river. Caring for the fish fosters a conservation ethic in the students, and the act of walking to a streambank and directly releasing the fingerlings into the water makes a concrete connection between caring for the fish and caring for the water.
National Fishing In Schools Program
The National Fishing in Schools Program is a nationwide, in school program, that teaches the positive lifetime activity of fishing to students in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. NFSP educates students about fish, insects, aquatic environment, resource stewardship and conservation using fishing, and learning the skill of casting, as the instructional tool.
World Water Monitoring Challenge
World Water Monitoring Challenge is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.
The Globe at Night
The Globe at Night program is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure their night sky brightness and submit their observations to a website from a computer or smart phone.
Project Wild
From the tiny minnow to the majestic grizzly, wildlife and humans are integrally connected. Project WILD links students and wildlife through its mission to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. Through the use of balanced curriculum materials and professional training workshops, Project WILD accomplishes its goal of developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment. This results in the making of informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive action concerning wildlife and the environment.
4H
4-H is the nation’s largest positive youth development and youth mentoring organization, empowering six million young people in the U.S.
In partnership with 110 universities, 4-H life changing programs are research-backed & available through 4-H clubs, camps, afterschool & school enrichment programs in every county & parish in the U.S.
4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System & USDA
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4-H’ers across the nation are responding to challenges every day in their communities and their world.
As the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of land-grant universities, 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, empowering six million young people throughout the United States. Cooperative Extension of 1862 and 1890 land-grant universities provide the leadership to engage young people in 4-H in all 3,007 counties of the United States. The impact of the Cooperative Extension partnership is profound, bringing together National Institute of Food and Agriculture of USDA, land grant universities and county government to resource learning opportunities for youth.
Through America’s 110 land-grant universities and its Cooperative Extension System, 4-H reaches every corner of our nation—from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. With a network of more than 6 million youth, 611,800 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 25 million alumni, 4-H helps shape youth to move our country and the world forward in ways that no other youth organization can.
With 611,800 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 25 million alumni, the 4-H movement supports young people from elementary school through high school with programs designed to shape future leaders and innovators. Fueled by research-driven programming, 4-H'ers engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of science, citizenship and healthy living.
World Food Day
World Food Day is a day of action against hunger. On October 16, people around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger in our lifetime. Because when it comes to hunger, the only acceptable number in the world is zero.
World Food Day celebrates the creation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on October 16, 1945 in Quebec, Canada. First established in 1979, World Food Day has since then been observed in almost every country by millions of people.
In North America, grassroots events and public awareness campaigns engage diverse audiences in action against hunger. From hunger walks and World Food Day dinners to meal packaging events and food drives, there are many ways for people to be a part of solutions to hunger.
Each year, advocates come together to raise awareness and engage Americans and Canadians in the movement to end hunger. Led by the FAO Liaison Office for North America, the World Food Day USA & Canada Network includes over 60 organizations, universities and companies that are working to achieve a zero hunger world.
National Arbor Day
We inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
This is the mission statement of the Arbor Day Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation and education organization.
Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners.
The impact we make on our world is accomplished through our conservation and education programs.
National Arbor Day is always celebrated on the last Friday in April. On Arbor Day, people are encouraged to care for their natural environment. It's a time for people to get their hands in the dirt and plant and/or care for trees, bushes and plants. Events include: communal tree planting, exhibitions, fairs, music performances and open days in garden centers. Arbor Day awards are also presented in communities, schools, and organizations throughout the United States.
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.