FALL INTO WINTER
JANUARY 2020 NEWSLETTER
 

Hi ,

What an exciting school year it's been thus far. We're so grateful for how our community and supporters have stepped up to help the Katahdin Learning Project grow by leaps and bounds in the 2019/2020 academic year.

You'll read below about some of the exciting learning opportunities students have enjoyed. So far this school year there have been 1,283 student experiences through this program - that's 26% more student experiences than all of the school year before! 

Thanks for all you do!

Kala Rush
Education Coordinator, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters
WINTERKIDS IN THE KATAHDIN REGION
Kids at BikeMaine
Katahdin Learning Project was proud to take part in the WinterKids opening ceremony that took place at Katahdin Elementary School on January 3. Students and teachers alike joined in on the festivities to kick off the month-long events. Students will participate in a number of educational, outdoor activities over the next four weeks thanks to a partnership with the folks at WinterKids. For three years, the Katahdin Learning Project and WinterKids have been sharing resources and best practices, with the long-term goal of bringing this collaboration to life. We’re thrilled to continue our work with WinterKids this month and beyond! Learn more about this organization at WinterKids.org.
STARS OVER KATAHDIN
Students at Stars Over Katahdin 2019
Lee Academy and Mount Desert Elementary School came to Stars Over Katahdin for an overnight adventure that included an educational hike, nature yoga, and a lesson with astronomers and night sky enthusiasts. Each group gathered around for campfire chats and then explored the night sky with the help of Astro-VIPs (Volunteers in Parks), Tim Hudson, Superintendent of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and Michael Marion, Lead Education Ranger from Acadia National Park. 315 students were also visited at their school by John Meader, Director of Northern Stars Planetarium, where they engaged in a planetarium lesson.
 
Planning is underway for Stars Over Katahdin 2020. If you're interested in bringing a school group for the day or weekend, please reach out!
FALL LEARNING JOURNEYS
Fall Learning Journeys
258 students and 29 teachers joined the Katahdin Learning Project on educational hikes throughout Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument last fall. Student learning journeys, for grades pre-K to eight, included nature bingo and lessons on lichens and trees.
BIKEMAINE 2019 & 2020!
WinterKids at KES
The volunteer crew from Katahdin Middle High School joined BikeMaine for the third year as the tent and porter crew. The BikeMaine event travelled from the Kennebec Valley to Mid-coast Maine for seven days. Chaperones, CariLynn Hanson, Patty Sponheimer, and Tyler Morin helped students dismantle and reconstruct tents at the new site each morning. Each afternoon, the crew had the opportunity to learn about the history of the area, including a journey on a schooner out of Portland and a meet and greet with Bill Green.
 
Recently, Bicycle Coalition of Maine released a report showing that BikeMaine 2019: Coastal Connections' total economic impact was $906,000. Where's BikeMaine 2020? The Katahdin Region!!! The students of the Katahdin Learning Project, who have been an integral part of BikeMaine for three years now, can't wait to help welcome cyclists from near and far to this special part of Maine! 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Head North Ski Days - March 2nd - March 13th
March Professional Development- March 19th
Casco Bay High School Visit - April 13th - 17th

Please reach out to learn more or to sign up for the above events!
 
Our mission is to create opportunities for students to engage in learning through real projects in nature and the communities of the Katahdin Region. 

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Phone:
(406) 728 - 5692

Email:
kala@friendsofkww.org

Mailing address:

PO Box 18177
Portland ME 04112