SPARK (Shore People Advancing Readiness for Knowledge) is an intergenerational program that aims to provide experiences for families of all backgrounds to learn together through nature. The program was created by Grace Cormons in 1998 and has recently been taken under CBFS's suite of programs. I initially became involved in SPARK in order to find sustaining funding after many years on a shoe-string budget but was soon facilitating the program and creating new opportunities for engagement.
In 2016 we were awarded a $91,000 grant through the Environmental Protection Agency to implement climate-education into a number of our programs including SPARK. Most recently the SPARK program has been identified one of five programs nationally to be awarded the UL Innovative Education Award in partnership with the North American Association of Environmental Educators.
In 2016 we were awarded a $91,000 grant through the Environmental Protection Agency to implement climate-education into a number of our programs including SPARK. Most recently the SPARK program has been identified one of five programs nationally to be awarded the UL Innovative Education Award in partnership with the North American Association of Environmental Educators.
SPARK Nature Detectives
An experiential program for families with children in grades Pre-K to 4th. Nature Detectives receive packets through the schools every two weeks which they complete as a family and then attend monthly Family Learning Family Fun days. This program is aligned with Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) and teaches families how to learn together using nature as a springboard for teachable moments outside of the classroom.
An experiential program for families with children in grades Pre-K to 4th. Nature Detectives receive packets through the schools every two weeks which they complete as a family and then attend monthly Family Learning Family Fun days. This program is aligned with Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) and teaches families how to learn together using nature as a springboard for teachable moments outside of the classroom.
SPARK Creekwatchers
A citizen science-based program for families with children in middle school. Creekwatchers meet during the first Saturday of each month to test water quality at two streams in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Families learn to test water chemistry, to make physical observations, and to draw connections between factors that might affect the health of a watershed. Data collected during this program is submitted to Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality and is supported by a VA DEQ grant. During the program families also learn about typical flora and fauna of coastal ecosystems and begin to explore themes related to climate change.
A citizen science-based program for families with children in middle school. Creekwatchers meet during the first Saturday of each month to test water quality at two streams in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Families learn to test water chemistry, to make physical observations, and to draw connections between factors that might affect the health of a watershed. Data collected during this program is submitted to Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality and is supported by a VA DEQ grant. During the program families also learn about typical flora and fauna of coastal ecosystems and begin to explore themes related to climate change.
Living Shoreline Team
The Living Shoreline Team (LST) is comprised of families with children in middle and high school, as well as college students and faculty from CBFS's member universities, Sea STAR interns, and other community members. The LST meets monthly to implement measures to improve coastal resiliency on the Eastern Shore. Examples of projects have included: Oyster Castle (c) installation, planting native marsh grasses, removing invasive species, building oyster bags, and more. Families learn about how climate change is impacting the Shore and work together to create community solutions including family-action plans to lessen their carbon footprint. In 2016 this project was funded through NOAA Climate Stewards.
The Living Shoreline Team (LST) is comprised of families with children in middle and high school, as well as college students and faculty from CBFS's member universities, Sea STAR interns, and other community members. The LST meets monthly to implement measures to improve coastal resiliency on the Eastern Shore. Examples of projects have included: Oyster Castle (c) installation, planting native marsh grasses, removing invasive species, building oyster bags, and more. Families learn about how climate change is impacting the Shore and work together to create community solutions including family-action plans to lessen their carbon footprint. In 2016 this project was funded through NOAA Climate Stewards.
