EWEB Grant
About the EWEB Grant
Bethel School District is fortunate to be supported by an EWEB School District Education Grant. EWEB has supplied funds that support teaching and learning in the areas of energy and water for many years. This includes the development of educational resources, the delivery of instruction and the involvement of students in real world energy issues and activities.
There are twelve program areas covered in the grant. The connecting pages will expand upon each of these areas and allow staff to request funding, information, or other support. Please contact Cathy Bechen, the EWEB grant administrator if you have questions at cathy.bechen@bethel.k12.or.us.
Let's get ready!
Fourth grade students in Bethel are learning all about earthquakes and how to be prepared for them. Students watch a short video about what an earthquake is and what to do if the ground starts shaking. They then put together a kit for their classroom with things such as a flashlight, first aid kit, battery operated radio, water jug and games. They practice a quick "Drop, Cover, Hold" drill before designing posters about what to do before, during and after a quake to share with their student body.They know what to do if an earthquake should strike and can also share it with adults at home!
And the winners are....
"The Twinkies", as the 7th grade team named themselves, won the annual Kidwind Challenge held on April 27th at Meadow View School by producing the most energy, combined with their interview score of 48 out of 50 points. This team was from Sara Baumann's class at Meadow View School. The second place team was, "The Nothings" also from Meadow View and in third place there was a tie between, "The Rats" from Prairie Mountain, (Ellie Owen's class) and "The Boiz" (Justin Day's class)from Shasta. Students enjoyed the competition, being interviewed by EWEB employees, and playing Energy Bingo and Clean Energy Empire!
Students learn about renewable energy
It is that time of year again where 7th graders study all types of renewable energy, and then dive more specifically in to the study of wind energy. They build and test turbine blades by varying the length, number of blades, pitch, blade shape etc. in an attempt to build the most efficient blades. The top two teams producing the most energy go on to compete at the annual Bethel/EWEB Kidwind Challenge where they will meet other 7th grade students from around the district. Who will be the winner this year? The event will be held on April 27, at Meadow View School from 9-12. Come check it out!
Why save energy?
This is a question asked to second graders throughout the district. In the presentation by Cathy Bechen, the students soon learn about all of the different ways they can save energy. Through a short video or a story entitled, "Why should I save Energy?", the kids get excited about sharing these ideas with adults at home. To end the lesson, the students design and color a vinyl light switch cover that can go on a switchplate at home, reminding them to turn off the lights when they leave.
Pledge to Prepare
January! What a great time to start planning for the future around emergency preparedness! Believe it or not, there is always the possibility that a natural disaster could take place here in the Pacific Northwest. Things like an earthquake or wildfire can severely impact our water and electric systems, and even other public services that we rely on. In an emergency, some of these services could be disrupted for weeks. That is why we should be prepared!!
EWEB has created the Pledge to Prepare in order to help our community prepare for such a disaster. Sign up and you will receive a monthly reminder about what supplies you can start putting together. Check out their 12-month blueprint that can help you get organized and ready with necessary supplies!
To get started today, here is the January checklist! Good luck!
Salmon Watch Trips a Success
It was so great to get back out in the field for our annual salmon watch trips at Whittaker Creek, which have been on hold for the last couple of years. Almost every 6th grader was able to enjoy the field trip in which they witnessed salmon spawning, tested water quality, identified macroinvertebrates and learned about the riparian zone. So much was learned, and fun was had by all!
Practicing Testing in Class
In preparation for Salmon Watch Field trips at Whittaker Creek, students practiced different water quality tests with local Amazon canal water. They were able to test pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity which are the same indicators they test for on the field trip. Students are attempting to determine if the stream is healthy enough for salmon to live there, based on the results of their tests. Practice makes perfect!
Bethel Raises 1000 Salmon Eggs
Salmon eggs from the McKenzie River Fish Hatchery were delivered to 5 classrooms throughout the district. Every year 6th grade science teachers ready their aquarium for the eggs and students learn how to take care of them, test the water quality, pH and ammonia levels when necessary. They also log temperature units in order to predict a hatching date. Salmon will be released in mid-November. Thank you to all the participating classrooms!
Water Bottle Refilling stations installed
Thanks to the EWEB grant from the City of Eugene, water bottle refilling stations are beginning to get installed in all Bethel schools. Many students carry water bottles with them during the day, and this allows them to keep a full bottle, as well as negating the need for plastic, one-use, store bought water bottles. Throw away plastic bottles often end up in our streams and rivers or the landfill and do not decompose for hundreds of years. These stations are a welcomed addition for our students and Planet Earth!!
Elective class builds water turbines
Students in Amy Jessie's sixth grade class at Meadow View School have had the opportunity to work with STEM building K'nex kits to build water turbines among other working machines, in their study of wind and water energy. This project offers students a program of study that uses hands-on exploration in conjunction with an engaging inquiry-based approach to learning. As students work cooperatively they are encouraged to work together as they build, investigate, discuss and evaluate concepts, ideas and designs. Ms. Jessie's students have learned a great deal about these concepts, while also having a lot of fun!
Prairie Mountain installs Water Refilling Station
Watch the student made video by the Green Team at Prairie Mountain to see why this is so important!!!
Watch the student made video by the Green Team at Prairie Mountain to see why this is so important!!!
WaterFiller.MOV - Google Drive
Published October 28, 2021 | By Cathy Bechen
Many things have changed in the world of school, but luckily some things remain the same! 6th graders in Bethel do indeed get to watch the development of salmon eggs hatching in their classroom aquarium. Eggs were delivered on Oct. 26th.
Unfortunately, students will not be able to go on the annual salmon watch field trip, but they will be able to watch livestream videos of each of the stations that they would normally visit out in the field. It won’t be quite the same, but the concepts studied in class will still be reinforced!
Published September 8, 2021 | By Cathy Bechen
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”
Each week in September, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities.
Week 1 September 1-4: Make A Plan
Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the Coronavirus.
Week 2 September 5-11: Build A Kit
Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.
Week 3 September 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
Natural disasters don’t wait for a convenient time. Preparing for them shouldn’t wait either. Start today by signing up for alerts, safe-guarding important documents, and taking other low cost and no cost preparedness actions to lessen the impact of disasters and emergencies for you and your family.
Week 4 September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness
Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.
(see more at: www.ready.gov)
Create your own Emergency Kit-video