Embedded Files
Department of Natural Resources: Power Plant Research Program
Department of Natural Resources: Power Plant Research Program
Our longest-standing partnership provides the very environment in which we teach: 400+ acres of Chesapeake Bay-front coastal plain. DNR's PPRP has been one of our most steadfast supporters,
DNR conducted a biological and wetland delineation survey of the Elms property in 2017, the first since it was acquired over 30 years ago, and welcomed Elms staff and Master Naturalist volunteers for some on-the-job training. Here biologists and Master Naturalist Melanie McGinnes note the damage caused by the Emerald Ash Borer on an ash tree on site.
St. Mary's County Garden Club and Historic Sotterley
St. Mary's County Garden Club and Historic Sotterley
Our second-longest-standing partnership has been with the St. Mary's County Garden Club (SMCGC), which just marked its 80th Anniversary, and Historic Sotterley. The Garden Club's top two goals are to "create an interest in horticulture and civic improvements throughout our county", and to "present programs promoting member interest and awareness regarding our environment." The St. Mary's County Garden Club provides annual financial support for our 2nd grade Pollinator Field Study at Historic Sotterley. Elms provides an annual educational exhibit for the Garden Club Flower Show at the St. Mary's County Fair
2016 County Fair SMCGC Flower Show exhibit on Native Plants.
2nd Grade students search for insects and the plants they use at Sotterley.
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)
Our newest partnership was initiated by Elms Volunteer and Watershed Steward Liz Curtz, founder of the Friends of St. Clements Bay Watershed Association. Working with CCA to help restore St. Clements Bay, she knew that they were interested in extending their oyster reef ball building program to schools in Southern Maryland. Through this partnership, CCA has already provided technical assistance to the SMCPS STEM5 program, with plans to extend it to STEM7. SMCPS staff will observe a reef ball build at the Schmidt Environmental Education Center (Prince George's County Public Schools) in March 2019.
Email summarizing 8-20-18 Reef Ball meeting with Coastal Conservation Association and Friends of St. Clement's Bay.
CCA member and NOAA aquaculture scientist Dr. Jim McVey works with STEM 5 students on their oyster study.
University of Maryland Extension: Maryland Master Naturalist Program
University of Maryland Extension: Maryland Master Naturalist Program
In 2017, the Elms facilitated the first Maryland Master Naturalist Training in St. Mary's County. In 2018, we facilitated a second cohort, and provided technical assistance to Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center (Charles County Public Schools) to launch the first one in Charles County.
SYLLABUS
Monthly Work Day at Elms.
Graduating class of first Elms Maryland Master Naturalist Training Program.
St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Masters of Arts in Teaching Students
Masters of Arts in Teaching Students
The Elms began partnered with the Masters of Arts in Teaching program in 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years. The Elms worked with Elementary Science Methods students as they developed and taught their own lessons to align with our 3rd grade program objectives, while providing 3rd grade students with more small-group-focused student/teacher ratios.
SMCM MAT students teaching third grade wetland lessons at Elms that they developed during their Elementary Science Methods course in Fall 2015 and 2016.
Student Interns
Student Interns
The Elms hosts upper level undergraduate student interns, as well as being a possible placement site for MAT (Masters of Arts in Teaching) students completing their enrichment placements.
St. Mary's College Senior (and current MAT student) Meghan Rice teaching a Kindergarten program for which she helped develop curriculum during her Senior St. Mary's Project Internship.May 2018
St. Mary's College MAT student Tess Roper teaches a rain-delay lesson on horseshoe crabs as part of her Enrichment Placement.
May 2017
3-13-17 email confirming MAT students in Secondary Science Methods class trip to Elms.
Environmental Studies Student Service Learning Volunteers
Environmental Studies Student Service Learning Volunteers
The Environmental Studies Program provides students with 20 hours of useful, engaging volunteer opportunities through Dr. Barry Muchnick's Advanced Topics in Environmental Science: Cultural Landscape Ecology: Chesapeake Natural History class in Fall 2017 and Spring 2019.
SMCM student Tyler weeding out expired water chemical tests.
Class Tweets from SMCM ENST 2019 Natural History course Student Service Learning at Elms.
Advanced Topics in Environmental Science: Cultural Landscape Ecology: Chesapeake Natural History SMCM course catalog listing.
St. Mary's Project
St. Mary's Project
Some students chose to complete their St. Mary's Project (SMP) to benefit the Elms. The SMP is an independent, sustained endeavor supervised by a faculty mentor and presented at a public forum. It is required for graduation.
SMCM student Reed (left) is creating an aquaponics system for the Elms, which ties with the 5th grade science curriculum.
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
The Elms partners with the Southern Maryland Audubon Society to bring annual public programs to the Elms:
- Fall and Spring Birding 101 field course,
- Christmas Bird Count,
- Winter Owl Prowl, and
- Great Backyard Bird Count
Owl Prowl Flier
Great Backyard Bird Count Post
Christmas Bird Count Tweet
Southern Maryland Astronomical Society
Southern Maryland Astronomical Society
The Elms partners with the Southern Maryland Astronomical Society to bring an annual Star Party to St. Mary's County. SMAS members erect multiple large telescopes that are available for use by students, their families and the surrounding community. They describe celestial bodies that are in view that evening. Our last Star Party on November 17, 2018 was led by 8 volunteers and hosted approximately 60 star gazers.
eFlier sent to schools for 11-17-18 Star Party.
Newsletter featuring Star Party on 8-16-16.
Town of Leonardtown, Maryland: Earth Day Celebration
Town of Leonardtown, Maryland: Earth Day Celebration
The Elms annually presents an interactive table at the Town of Leonardtown's annual Earth Day Celebration.
Staff and Master Naturalist Volunteers sharing the natural world with participants in Leonardtown's Earth Day.
Report abuse