Environmental Festival
Environmental Festival is held each year in March. Fifth grade teachers and their students are invited to attend hands-on interactive workshops offered on a variety of environmental topics.
The purpose of this great event is for students to meet professionals who work in the environmental sciences every day, thereby gaining an understanding of how the science concepts they are learning in school apply to real life situations.
Students attend several presentations on environmental topics that allow them to be engaged in hands-on activities. The festival also provides students with the opportunity to learn about careers in various fields of environmental science and make a connection between science learning in the classroom and applied science in the workforce.
2010 marked the 11th year Gateway to Science has hosted Environmental Festival. 1,025 5th grade students and their teachers and chaperones attended from three counties: Burleigh, Morton, and Stutsman.
Every year is a success! Our presenters, volunteers, and fifth grade teachers are already planning to attend the 12th Annual Environmental Festival next year!
Environmental Festival is made possible each year because of the generous support of volunteer presenters (37 in 2010) and classroom guides (25 in 2010). Community sponsors contribute to ensure that this wonderful opportunity is available to fifth grade teachers and their students free of charge.
If you would like more information, or if you are a fifth grade teacher and you interested in attending the next Enviromental Festival, please call Christie Weixel, Program Coordinator, at 701-258-1975.
AE2S
Basin Electric Power Coop
Stutsman County SCD
The Coteau Properties Co.
Burleigh County SCD
ND Chapter of the American Public Works Association
ND Water Environment Association
ND Forest Service
MDU Resources ECO Fund
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation
Great River Energy
ND American Waterworks Association
ND Natural Resources Trust
10 Simple Ways to Use Energy Wisely-Lyndon Anderson, Great River Energy
Air Pollution: “We are the Solution” – Nick Phillips & Justin Otto, ND Dept of Health
Airport Projects & the Environment – Curt Cady & Alexis Morlock, Kadrmas Lee & Jackson
Animals/Fire on the Prairie – Charles Betz, Sharon Small, & Paula Johnston, Dakota Prairie Grasslands
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining – Steve VanDyke & Kay Lacoe, Lignite Energy Council
Deadly Links – Laura Kohn, Cross Ranch State Park
Environmental Protection at a Coal Mine –
Jessica Unruh, Coteau Properties Company
Every Tree for Itself – Glenda Fauske, ND Forest Service
From the Surface Down: A Soil Experience – Susan Samson-Liebig, Kristin Brennan & Lynette Lennick, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
H2Olympics – Bill Sharff, ND Water Commission
How Weather Works – Vic Jensen, National Weather Service
Incredible Journey – Hank LaBore, Project WET
Mystery Minerals – Lorraine Manz, ND Geological Survey
Recycling & Energy Reduction Measures – Galen Bren, Diana Trussell, & Christy Smith, City of Bismarck
Storm Water: Only Rain Down the Drain – Colleen Peterson, City of Bismarck
Thunder & Lightning & Hail, Oh My! – Mark Schneider, ND Atmospheric Research Board, Rob Martin, KFYR-TV
Tree Survivor – Trent Bristol, ND Forest Service
Water Filtration – Laith Hintz & Sarah Volk, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
Water Jeopardy – Kathleen Rowland & Sue Morman, US Geological Survey
Water Quality Testing – Bill Gefroh & Dan Woehl, City of Bismarck
Whale of a Tail – Sherry Niesar, MSU-Bottineau
Wildlife of North Dakota – Pat Lothspeich, ND Game & Fish Dept.
