April 21, 2009
Technology Encourages Sharing of Earth Day Projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  4/20/2009
Further information:
Steve Gorski, The Source for Learning, 703-860-9200, sgorski@sflinc.org
Candace Shively, TeachersFirst, 703-860-9200, cshively@sflinc.org
John Cosgrove, Cosgrove Communications, 412-621-3668, jc@cosgrove.com  


Reston VA – Two innovative Earth Day projects supported by a national nonprofit organization are encouraging students to explore the environment and use technology to share their findings with other students across the country and around the world. Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22.

The nonprofit organization—The Source for Learning (www.sourceforlearning.org)—creates technology-based content for the parents and teachers of preschool and K-12 children. Through its TeachersFirst service (www.teachersfirst.com), SFL is supporting Earth Day projects in Costa Rica and Portland, Oregon.

In Costa Rica, a group of American students in Grades 8-12 has spent a week exploring the tropical rainforest in a project of the RiverRidge Foundation for Environmental Research and Education (www.riverridgefoundation.org). TeachersFirst is cosponsoring the project, in which the student scientists uploaded their ecological observations and adventures to the Web. On Earth Day, teachers and students worldwide can share the results and participate in live discussions with the student researchers. More information is available at www.teachersfirst.com/riverridge.cfm. 

In the U.S., elementary grade students at the Meriwether Lewis School in Portland, Oregon will host classrooms across the country and beyond during a live “virtual visit” to their school’s working garden. The visit will focus on subjects such as organic vegetable gardening, composting, and rainwater collection. The video visit will remain online in archived format for those who cannot attend in real time, or who wish to recap the concepts explored. Technology to assist with this live webcast has been provided by the Clear WiMAX service (http://www.clear.com/what_is_clear.php). Details of the virtual visit are online at http://www.teachersfirst.com/lewis-elem.cfm.

Steven J. Gorski, President and CEO of The Source for Learning, says, “Public interest in environmental issues is reflected in schools worldwide, increasingly coupled with an emphasis on student-centered exploration. With our mission of enhancing learning through technology, The Source for Learning and our TeachersFirst service are in a great position to help both teachers and students make the best possible use of these excellent learning opportunities.”

There are many more Earth Day resources on TeachersFirst for schools to use, all reviewed by professional educators. Editors' Choice highlighted resources are available at www.teachersfirst.com/holiday/earthday.cfm.

The nonprofit Source for Learning offers teachers, students, and parents the web’s best collection of learning resources. Compiled and reviewed by education professionals, the resources cover countless subjects and support diverse learning styles. Together, they enhance education at every level. SFL’s services include www.TeachersFirst.com, www.PreschoolFirst.com, www.TeachersAndFamilies.com, and the upcoming www.GrowUpLearning.com, slated to launch in 2009.