Category Archives: Teacher Resources

Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Learning, Dreaming, Doing – Sugar Creek Students Share Their Knowledge

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The highlight of Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Event was a special presentation by Mrs. Deb Weiler’s fourth grade students at Sugar Creek Elementary in New Palestine. They are partnering with Dani’s Dreams on a composting project. Look for more information on this endeavor in the future. Thanks so much Mrs. Weiler and her smart and caring students who shared their knowledge – Sarah Adam, Sierra Patrick, Madison Schmitt, Mia Thomas, and Laney Scott.

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is a resource for Hancock County schools, teachers, Scouts and all community groups for hands-on, innovative environmental education opportunities and state standards-based activities and projects. We’ll design a one-of-a-kind tour, activity or project for YOUR CLASS, based on YOUR NEEDS at NO CHARGE. Email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 – Dream It, Do It!

Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Create, Explore, Discover – Dream It, Do It!

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

More than 30 students from Zion Lutheran Sugar Creek and New Palestine elementary schools became Nature Detectives, went digging for fossils, arrowheads and bones, learned about the water cycle and created bird feeders and other crafts April 12 at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s Earth Day Dedication Event. The afternoon was topped off with Mama Nita’s pizza, a supporter of Dani’s Dreams, and a special Dani’s Dreams video report by Katie and Kara Morris and Sarah, Emily and Sam Adam. A special thanks goes to all of Dani’s family who helped to make the event happen and who are the heart of Dani’s Dreams — you are all fantastic people!

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is a resource for Hancock County schools, teachers, Scouts and all community groups for hands-on, innovative environmental education opportunities and state standards-based activities and projects. We’ll design a one-of-a-kind tour, activity or project for YOUR CLASS, based on YOUR NEEDS at NO CHARGE. Email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 – Dream It, Do It!

Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources, Uncategorized

Celebrating Earth Day – Making Ideas Happen at Dani’s Dreams

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Recycling and the water cycle became hands-on learning experiences for Zion Lutheran School students thanks to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Dani’s Dreams partnered with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to bring special Earth Day presentations to all grades on April 12.

Preschool through grade four students learned how to recycle and saw the products made from recycled materials. Students in grades 5-8 became water drops and traveled through the phases of the water cycle, picking up beads for their water cycle bracelets

Thanks to Stacy Jones, of IDEM who conducted the presentations.

Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is a resource for Hancock County schools, teachers, Scouts and all community groups for hands-on, innovative environmental education opportunities and state standards-based activities and projects. We’ll design a one-of-a-kind tour, activity or project for YOUR CLASS, based on YOUR NEEDS at NO CHARGE. Email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 – Dream It, Do It!

Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Do you have big dreams?

Leave a comment

dreamitdoitflyer
The deadline is fast approaching for the T-shirt design contest at Dani’s Dreams — April 10. Come to the Earth Day Dedication Event April 12, 3:30-6 p.m. and vote for your favorite design! Fun, food and lots of activities are planned – be a part of it!

Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Dream It – Do It!

Leave a comment

dani logoTO ALL KIDS IN HANCOCK COUNTY:
Enter the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s annual T-shirt design and essay contest.
The theme for this year’s event is “Dream It – Do It!” and all Hancock County classrooms, Scout and youth groups are invited to participate in environmental educational activities, crafts, a movie and dinner at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event 3:30-5 p.m. at the new Go Green Center, located at Zion Lutheran School in New Palestine.
There are now TWO WAYS for you to show your talents.
1. DRAW A PICTURE using the theme for the front of T-shirts. Your drawing could bring Dani’s Dreams to life on T-shirts for the sixth annual memorial walk/run Aug. 3. If your picture is chosen, you will receive a free T-shirt and $50 and your name will be on every shirt. You will be introduced Aug. 3 at the beginning of the walk/run at New Palestine High School.
Last year’s winners:


2. WRITE AN ESSAY based on the theme “Dream It – Do It!” Entries from all ages will be accepted. Winners will be chosen in the following groups: grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners in each age category will receive a free T-shirt and $25. Money raised at this event will go to fund the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center open to all students in Hancock County.
Turn in your drawing or essay to your teacher by April 10.
Entries will be picked up at each school April 10 or they can be dropped off at Zion Lutheran School. The best of the T-shirt designs and essays will be on display for voting during the Earth Day Dedication Event at Dani’s Dream Outdoor Education Center April 12 3:30-5 p.m. Keep up with all the Dani’s Dreams news at http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com. Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

Here’s the entry form for the T-shirt design and essay contest:
danifundartcontestindd

Special Events, Teacher Resources

Families Get Creative at Children’s Museum Night

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


For the third year, Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center sponsored Children’s Museum Night at Zion Lutheran School. Creativity was the theme of the day with students learning about the art of blown glass and the artist Dale Chihuly who created the sculpture that greets visitors at the Children’s Museum. Families collaborated to create a replica that now graces the halls of Zion. Students and their parents also created paintings and simulated “glass-blown” art.

Special Events, Teacher Resources

FREE Family Time at Children’s Museum Night

Leave a comment


Join Dani’s Dreams for an evening of free, educational and entertaining activities designed for families to learn and interact together when the Children’s Museum comes to Zion Lutheran School Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m.
Bring your family, friends and neighbors

Here’s a Sneak Peek at some of the fun
(7 activities and 2 presentations planned):

Balloon Sculpture
Have you seen the Fireworks of Glass sculpture by renowned artist Dale Chihuly at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis? Families can join in the fun as they try to create their own curly, colored, twisty art pieces out of balloons! Then, by adding each piece to an armature just like Chihuly’s team did, we hope to leave a sculpture at your school that is similar to our museum sculpture.
Hot Shop
Hot’ shop’, n.—A glass working studio containing a furnace, glory hole and glass blowing team. Families can step into our mock Hot Shop to see some glassblowers’ tools and learn about the studio in which glass art is created. Families are invited to match the tool with its name and try to “gather glass” and keep it on a “punty.”
Shape Scape
What do macchias, seaforms and baskets all have in common? In the glass world, they are some of Dale Chihuly’s titles for very eye-catching art! Families create their own versions of these 3-D forms using the closest thing we could find to glass (transparency film) and “safe” heat from a heat gun to form sculptures. We use heat guns for this activity, so adult supervision is a must!
Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center is sponsoring the FREE EVENT for all Southern Hancock children. The Zion PTL will provide a Taco bar for concessions.

Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Go Green Discovery Center Update

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


Work is continuing on the Dani’s Dreams Go Green Discovery Center. The outside is nearly completed and inside the walls are going up and soon activities will begin. Remember there are seven learning centers available for area classes, preschools, scout troops and other community groups – Dani’s Dreams is FREE! We will design a lesson and activities around your class or group needs. Special activities will be held each month after school involving environmental education. Be a part of Dani’s Dreams team! For more information, email Donna Griffin, director, at dgriffins@netzero.com.

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Teacher Resources

The Go Green Center is Growing – Check It Out!

Leave a comment


Watch our Go Green Center Grow and enjoy exhibits, music, demonstrations, snacks and crafts from 12-2 at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center following the Memorial Walk/Run at 8 a.m. that morning at New Palestine High School. Find out about solar and wind energy, how to protect our planet and what you can do to make a difference in your world!
If you have a band or are a musician and would like to perform for the Dani’s Dreams Open House and Music Festival Aug. 4, 12-2, email dgriffins@netzero.com.
Thanks to Dave Griffin, Austin Pope, Mike Dirr, Randy and Mark Caster, the Go Green Center is taking shape and will soon be under roof (see more pictures on the “Watch Us Grow!” page) – anyone who would like to help or donate materials, email dgriffins@netzero.com.
Teachers, Scout leaders, preschools and community groups come to the Go Green Open House Aug. 4 and see how Dani’s Dreams can help you with hands-on science education for this fall!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Go Green Discovery Center, Teacher Resources

Top 10 Tips to Save Energy and Money This Summer

Leave a comment

By John Chu, a Senior Communications Specialist at the Department of Energy, from the Energy Savers Blog:

June 20 marked the first day of summer, and for many of us that means trips to the beach, outdoor concerts, and cool drinks. Summer is also a great season to save energy and money in your home. Here are some tips to get you started:

Lighting makes up about 10% of home electricity costs. You can save up to 80% of that energy by simply replacing your traditional incandescents with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). They will also last you for years after the summer is gone, saving money on replacements.

Another good reason to switch to energy efficient lighting choices is that it can lower your cooling costs. Only 10% of the energy from traditional bulbs is used for light—the rest is wasted as heat. By using CFLs and LEDs that give off less heat, you can reduce your need for air conditioning and save money.

If you plan to remodel your home, take advantage of the longer, sunnier days with daylighting. You can bring more sunlight in your home by upgrading to today’s highly energy-efficient windows and reduce the need for artificial lighting (and electricity!)

Another way to take advantage of the prolonged sunshine is to install outdoor solar lighting. They are easy to install, virtually maintenance free, and provide free electricity.

Switch to a high-efficiency air conditioner—you can reduce your energy use by 20% – 50% and save money.

Install a cool roof for your home. Cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat—reducing your energy bills by decreasing cooling needs. For more on selecting cool roofs, read this guidance from our EERE Building Technologies program.

You can reduce your cooling costs with landscape shading. Planting trees, shrubs, and plants around your home strategically can reduce heat radiation and cool the air before it reaches your home’s walls and windows.

If you have a swimming pool, you can reduce your heating bills by installing a high efficiency or solar pool heater or using a pool cover. Read more about solar pool heating.

Enjoy the summer wind, get exercise, and save money by walking or biking to work instead of driving your car. If you have to drive, check out these tips to reduce the amount of gas you use.

By properly insulating and air sealing your home, you can reduce your air conditioning costs by keeping more of the cooling in your home. Read more about insulation and air sealing.

What other tips do you have for saving energy and money in the summer?

Please share them and watch for the opening of Dani’s Dreams Go Green Center Aug. 4!