High school students can take advantage of internship opportunities through the Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education program.
Education interns work with the Trees are Terrific kindergarten program or the Arlington Echo fourth grade program, teaching students through outdoor experiential learning.
Research interns undertake research projects at Arlington Echo. Current topics include SAV research, phytoplankton monitoring, establishing a database for water quality measurements, and mapping rare and threatened native plants. Interns develop authentic research questions and collect data to test a hypothesis based on their question.
Environmental horticulture interns assist Arlington Echo staff with environmental horticultural processes such as removing invasive species from natural areas, designing and maintaining native garden habitats for butterflies, humming birds and other organisms, worm and kitchen composting, natural fertilization, mulching, pruning, growing submerged aquatic vegetation, caring for Atlantic White Cedars and maintaining the cold frame.
Chesapeake Connections interns support classroom outreach and field projects that lead to environmental stewardship. Topics include aquatic grasses, terrapins, storm water restoration projects, and monarch butterfly gardens. Interns assist with all aspects of the project, including classroom outreach, maintenance of plants and animals used in the projects, and the end of year projects that involve plantings and the release of terrapins.
Contact Tanya Marushak at Arlington Echo 410-222-3822
The Envirothon is a statewide competition for high school students. Students study topics such as aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife and participate annually in an outdoor competition. Envirothon teams are made up of five students who work together to study Maryland’s natural resources over the course of the school year. All topics are hands-on and include practical skills. Training is conducted by experts in each field. Students train in the fall and spring with resource professionals in four content areas and one topic that changes annually. County competitions typically occur in April, and the county winners compete at the state level in June. The Arlington Echo site is used for training and competitions. Our staff also provide instructional support to teachers and students.
Contact Tanya Marushak at Arlington Echo 410-222-3822
Every AACPS fourth grade class visits Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center in Millersville, MD as part of their environmental literacy learning. We offer the experience in two different formats: a one-day or an overnight experience. Arlington Echo programs are linked to the science curriculum throughout the school year. Through exciting, hands-on activities, students investigate the human impact on climate, land, water and living things in the Chesapeake Bay in its watershed. They are challenged to put environmental ideals into action.
Students travel to different learning stations on site, gathering information to develop an educated and environmentally responsible answer to an overarching question: How can we help the Chesapeake Bay? Activities include canoeing, seining, stormwater investigation and more.
Supervision and instruction are provided by Arlington Echo staff and Chaperones recruited by classroom teachers. All Chaperones undergo background checks.
Meals are provided in the dining hall through AACPS Food and Nutrition Services. We challenge students to minimize their food waste by following the philosophy “Take what you like; Eat what you take” and by participating in our on-site composting program. Students aim for a “Zero Waste” meal.
Climate controlled cabins with bunk beds and bathroom facilities provide overnight accommodations. Arlington Echo is a 24-acre outdoor education site owned by AACPS. It includes forest, stream and wetland habitats and is located on the Severn River.
Contact
If your school has an upcoming experience scheduled and you are volunteering, you will receive an email with detailed information from EHall@aacps.org. If you have not received an email and your program is scheduled with in the next 2 days please contact Ted Hall at EHall@aacps.org.
In conjunction with the Environmental Literacy initiative, Arlington Echo introduces its newest unit on the Monarch Butterfly. The unit, How Can We Help Monarch Butterflies? has been developed as part of the first grade curriculum. The Monarch unit began in fall of 2011 for first grade classrooms around Anne Arundel County, MD. Arlington Echo plans to roll out the program to the rest of the first grade classes over the next few years. By the spring of 2015 the program will have been implemented in 81 schools, 300 classrooms and had over 20,000 students participate in it.
Why the Monarch Butterfly?
The Monarch butterfly was chosen to be the focus of our first grade Environmental Literacy unit for a variety of reasons. One being that “Human impact” plays a significant role in Environmental Literacy. In the case of the Monarch, human impact has greatly affected the species to the very mention of extinction. To lose a species like the Monarch would be a tragic loss. We feel it is our duty to educate and inform about the issues surrounding the Monarch butterfly, so that conservation efforts can be made to help secure their future.
Facts:
The worst year on record was 2013, with the Monarch population at 80% below average
Top threats include: Pesticide/herbicide use, weather related events, mowing of natural areas, deforestation, and development
The largest population of Monarchs can be found throughout the United States of America, Canada and Mexico
The lifecycle of the Monarch has four stages- Egg, Larva(Caterpillar), Pupa(Chrysalis), Adult (Butterfly)
Monarch caterpillars have 5 instars (stages)
There are 3-4 (Occasionally 5) generations in a single year
The Monarch caterpillar eats ONLY the leaves of milkweed plants
Monarch migration behavior still contains many mystery’s
95% of the population migrates to Mexico, the other 5% to California
During migration, Monarchs can travel between 1,000-3,000 miles
AACPS and the Anne Arundel Department of Public Works (AADPW) collaborated to create the AA County Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA), a unique community outreach and environmental action program. Watershed Stewards Academy builds capacity in Anne Arundel County by training Master Watershed Stewards to help neighbors reduce pollution in our local creeks and rivers. The certification course gives Stewards the tools to implement change in their communities, turning knowledge into action. Stewards work with their communities to install projects such as rain gardens or conservation landscapes and to reduce pollution at its source. Collectively, these small community-based actions are improving the health of the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed. Since 2009, WSA has certified over 160 Master Watershed Stewards from Brooklyn Park to Herring Bay. Each year, these Stewards collaborate with neighbors, businesses, schools and each other to install hundreds of projects that reduce pollution in our rivers and streams.
The Initiative and Confidence course at Arlington Echo is designed for students and adults to build communication and cooperation skills. Through a series of field games and low elements, participants work as a team to solve problems and overcome challenges. These team building activities help participants become more self-confident as individuals and more collaborative as members of a team. Completing these activities is also a great way for participants to build trust. This course works well with students at the beginning of the school year, faculty groups, clubs and sports teams. All groups must be led by a certified instructor. Certification requires a two-day, 16-hour workshop, which is offered at Arlington Echo three times a year.
Initiative and Confidence Certification – OUT22003 Unified Talent
This two-day, 16-hour workshop provides the certification required to use the Initiative and Confidence Course at the Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center. AACPS personnel sign up on ERO. Non-AACPS personnel contact the Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education Office 410-222-3822.
Initiative and Confidence Recertification – OUT83601 Unified Talent
Recertification is required every two years. AACPS personnel sign up on ERO for this half day workshop. Non-AACPS personnel contact the Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education Office 410-222-3822.
Contact Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center 410-222-3822
The AACPS Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education instructional programs, provide both in-classroom and out-of-classroom experiences. Students participate in authentic, interdisciplinary, hands-on, environmental and outdoor learning. The lessons and programs enhance, extend and enrich classroom curriculum. Students connect with their local environment, investigate the impact of their actions on our planet, and learn to make and act upon responsible environmental decisions. Students also prepare for college, career and civic life while they build environmental literacy.
The Water Ready Program is a comprehensive aquatic safety program for fifth grade students in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Students learn personal water safety skills through classroom and pool instruction. At school, water safety readiness lessons are taught by classroom teachers. Students are transported to one of two pools used for the water portion of the program. The Anne Arundel County Recreation & Park’s Arundel Olympic Swim Center in Annapolis is used throughout the school year. The pool at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center is only used for a few schools. Water Safety instruction is taught in by certified aquatic safety instructors. Lessons focus on personal water safety, use of personal flotation devices (PFDs), safe rescues of others, cold water survival techniques, hypothermia and ice safety. Volunteers are needed to supervise students at the pool and assist instructors.
The Water Ready curriculum aligns and supports the 5th grade Language Arts and Physical Education standards. The preparation, action, and reflection that is embedded into the Water Ready program satisfies 5 of the 75 hours of service learning required for graduation.
For more information about water safety, click HERE.
Students
In preparation for the Water Ready, please follow the guidelines below. Classroom teachers will also share this information with students before the program.
Students are to wear/bring the following equipment to the pool:
Students wear their bathing suits under their school clothes
Pack underwear for changing into after the aquatic’s lesson.
Pack 2 towels
Pack extra set long sleeve shirt and long pants to get wet
Suggestions to make things run smoothly:
School clothes should be easy for students to put on when changing after swim time. These clothes should be worn over their swim wear and will be put into a locker to stay dry during instruction. These clothes will be dry for changing into when the students travel back to school.
For a simulated Cold-Water Survival lesson, students will bring an extra set of winter clothes to put on over their swim wear. (Long sleeve shirt and long pants) These should not be too tight as the students will be wet when putting them on.
2 towels- 1 for the pool deck gets very wet; 1 for the locker room to dry off at the end.
A brush or comb and a ponytail holder for students with long hair.
Glasses case is recommended for students who wear glasses.
Goggles may be worn if they do not cover the nose, but will not be allowed if they interfere with instruction.
A T-shirt or shorts may be worn over the swimsuit or swim trunks for swimming but should not be baggy or get in the way while swimming.
Neutral scented lotions and hair de-tangler can be brought, but not shared.
Students are NOTto bring:
Money or valuables such as watches or jewelry.
Cell phones or electronic devices.
Hair dryers, shampoo, soap or hairstyling products such as hair gel or hair spray.
Students will not be showering.
Perfume, body spray, or scented lotion.
Glass or mirrors.
Snorkel masks, nose plugs or aqua shoes.
Volunteers
Volunteers are an integral part of the Water Ready Program, helping to meet the safety and instructional needs of the students. They serve as Readiness Assistants and sometimes Aquatic Assistants under the supervision of a program instructor. Volunteers do not need to get into the water.
In preparation for Water Ready, please follow these guidelines:
All Volunteers must have a fingerprint supported background check completed through Anne Arundel County Public Schools prior to volunteering.
Please call 410-222-5045 to make an appointment. Recommended to complete THREE WEEKS prior to the trip date.
Complete Sexual Harassment and Child Abuse Prevention training.
Arrive at the pool THIRTY MINUTES prior to the students and remain for the last group from your school.
Attend a volunteer orientation at the pool before students arrive.
Read through the volunteer information for more details on responsibilities.
Check Volunteer Board in classroom upon arrival at the pool for your name.
Aquatic Assistants bring swim wear and towel. Lockers are available for a fee or items can be stored on volunteer tables in the classroom.
Dress for the climate of the pool and locker room areas: Readiness Assistants should be prepared for the warmth of the pool while Aquatic Assistants should be prepared for the chill.
Younger siblings are not permitted to attend.
Volunteers may want to bring a water and snack. The students will be eating after their aquatic’s instruction ends and they have changed into their dry clothes. Volunteers are assisting all 5th grade students and may be on site longer than the students. There will not be time for a lunch break.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
Reinforce pool rules at all times.
Assist in supervising the students while at the facility.
Supervise in the locker rooms from outside the privacy curtain.
Assist instructors with adhering to a fast paced time schedule of getting students ready for instruction and ready to load bus.
Be alert to the needs of students and instructors.
Be at the pool edge monitoring students’ safety.
Be enthusiastic, patient, persuasive and encouraging.
Use positive statements when giving instructions.
Positive verbal reinforcement is crucial! A smile also helps!
Instructional Program
Water Ready is an aquatic safety education program. Swimmers and non-swimmers will gain water safety skills according to each individual’s ability. Students have an option to take a deep water test if that is something they have done before. Students that are more comfortable being where they can touch the bottom of the pool, will be in the shallow area of the pool where they can stand up. Students will complete a handbook and lessons in the classroom in addition to in-pool lessons.
Personal Safety: How do I save myself if I were to get into trouble in the water?
Briefly discuss the causes of drowning.
Discuss expectations and student responsibilities.
Screening will be done based on swimming ability to place students in instructional groups.
Skills will be taught based on where the assessment has placed the student: deep water or shallow water.
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): Your Friend for Life
Discuss proper size, shape and types of PFDs.
Demonstrate how to put on a PFD on land and in water.
Observe a demonstration on the use of the five classes of PFDs.
Non-Swimming Rescues: How do I save someone safely without endangering myself?
Discuss and demonstrate the proper steps when evaluating an emergency situation.
Perform a non-swimming rescue.
Cold Water Survival: Cold Water Can Kill
Briefly discuss hypothermia and cold water survival.
Swim with a long pair of pants and long-sleeved shirt.
Inflate clothing to make a flotation aid.
Non-Swimming Rescues: How do I save someone safely without endangering myself?
Discuss and demonstrate the proper steps when evaluating an emergency situation.
T.E.R.P. (Terrapin Education and Research Partnership) is a supplemental classroom program. It operates under a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Scientific Collection Permit. Northern Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are placed in classrooms in October and released in May/June of the following year. Teacher training is required for participation. Students research the natural history of our state reptile, collect weekly growth data, make behavioral observations, and record husbandry protocols. Growth data are also collected during tagging just prior to release on the beaches of Poplar Island in May and June. The terrapins are implanted with a PIT (passive integrated transponder) microchip for identification. Upon recapture in future years, terrapins are scanned for tags and growth data compared to information collected in the classroom.
By raising and releasing these terrapins, students support important terrapin conservation research, conducted byDr. Willem Roosenburg, Associate Professor of Biology at Ohio University and noted terrapin researcher. Classroom terrapin hatchlings are obtained from Poplar Island Environmental Restoration Site through an agreement with the Maryland Environmental Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Maryland Port Administration. Staff at Poplar Island provide assistance and support throughout the project. All terrapins are cared for with the oversight of Dr. Eileen Manyin, D.V.M. of theGreater Annapolis Veterinary Clinic.
Supporters: Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Environmental Service, Chesapeake Bay Trust
Reed & Eddy were released back to Poplar Island on 5/24 Hatched on 9/17/2020 these terrapins are a part of T.E.R.P. (Terrapin Education and Research Partnership)
Congratulations to the winner of the Arlington Echo terrapin naming contest for ’20-’21 Lily M., 8th grader from Severn River Middle
Chesapeake Connections reaches every 6th grade student through an engaging, real-world restoration program. Learning starts in the classroom when Chesapeake Connections visits the students for a pre-trip lesson aimed at building background knowledge and generating excitement. Students then embark on an environmental stewardship field experience where they explore a local ecosystem and engage in a number of activities. Chesapeake Connections combines learning, stewardship, and exploration in a local setting and encourages students to apply their in-classroom learning to real-world environmental problems and their solutions. The Chesapeake Connections restoration project varies for each school and may involve participation in a stormwater restoration planting, oyster restoration, reforestation project, or climate data collection study.
*The Chesapeake Connections Program fulfils the 10 hour service learning requirement for the 6th graders.
In conjunction with the Environmental Literacy initiative, Arlington Echo introduces its newest unit on the Monarch Butterfly. The unit, How Can We Help Monarch Butterflies? has been developed as part of the first grade curriculum. The Monarch unit began in fall of 2011 for first grade classrooms around Anne Arundel County, MD. Arlington Echo plans to roll out the program to the rest of the first grade classes over the next few years. 
