Category Archives: Teacher Resources

Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Ongrowing Challenge. . .

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


Sixth graders at Zion Lutheran School are the winners of the first “Watch ‘Em Grow” Seed Starting Challenge at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Students from Zion brought their seedlings and participated in crafts, took a nature quiz and planted flowers and vegetables in the center’s Community Garden May 5.
Those attending the event also voted on designs and essays for the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4 at New Palestine High School.
Plans were revealed for the Go Green Discovery Center, funded in part by a Community Development Grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation. Construction on the facility begins in June. The Go Green Discovery Center will open on Aug. 4 with a music festival celebration following the walk/run.
If you would like to be a sponsor and have permanent recognition, donate $100 and you will be listed on the sponsor’s plaque at the Go Green Center. Email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

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

Come Grow With Us!

Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center hosted a special thank-you event for Zion Lutheran School students April 19. Hedgehog Hannah brought her educational exotic animal show to the school. Students got an up-close view of a tarantula, ferret, chinchilla and more and learned about their habitats and lifestyles. Dani’s Dreams can design an experience for your class or group in our seven learning centers. Email dgriffins@netzero.com.
Mrs. Deb Weiler’s class at Sugar Creek Elementary received a special delivery April 19: a worm farm for the composting station they will create. The class received a Go Green Grant from Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center and will establish the composting station at the center.
Come, Watch ‘Em Grow and participate in nature in action at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event May 5, 12-2 p.m. at Zion Lutheran School, 6513 W. 300 S, New Palestine.
Join the student-led demonstrations, Be a Dani’s Dreams Nature Detective and win a prize, create crafts, plant flowers and vegetables in the Community Garden and get a sneak preview of the plans and the site for the Go Green Discovery Center to be powered by solar and wind energy and that will feature interactive exhibits on environmental and conservation education.
The winner of the Watch ‘Em Grow Seed Starting contest will be revealed, and vote on drawings for the T-Shirt design contest for the Dani’s Dreams Walk/Run Aug. 4.
Be a part of Dani’s Dreams Team! Dani’s Dreams is open to all classes, Scout Troops and community groups for tours, special events and projects at no charge. Log onto to http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.wordpress.com or email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.

Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Teacher Resources

Hancock County Students and Teachers: Think Outside the Classroom!

Leave a comment

Construction of the Go Green Discovery Center at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will begin in spring 2012. But before then, area students have a chance to make a difference in a variety of ways:
• Design The Facility: High School students can submit architectural/design plans to dgriffins@netzero.com or mail to: 6513 W. 300S, New Palestine, IN 46163.
Here are the specifications:
Go Green Center Specifications
The entries will be judged by local professionals and Dani’s Dreams Committee members. Deadline is March 1. The winner will be announced in March and will have recognition in news releases and publicity for the Go Green Center and with a plaque in the facility to be unveiled at the dedication August 4, 2012.

•Be a Dani’s Dreams Ambassador: High school students/cadet teachers:
Volunteer as a tour guide or visit classrooms and create and conduct classroom presentations.

• Hancock County teachers can sign up their students as reporters and anchors for Dani’s Dreams TV, conducting research and compiling multimedia reports on environmental issues answering the questions “What Can I Do?” “How is It Made?” and “How Does It Work?”. The reports will be shown on a solar-powered TV in the Discovery Center and on this website.

•Be a designer/graphic artist: Every aspect of the Outdoor Education Center will be explained inside and outside with signs explaining the irrigation system, solar and wind power, identifying plants and trees.
Inside the Go Green Center will be interactive solar and wind energy experiments – powered by solar/wind energy and rotating exhibits on seed growth (germination), farming, ecology, water conservation, soil erosion and photosynthesis explanation and displays written and designed by Hancock County journalism/desktop publishing students.

EMAIL Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center Director Donna Griffin at dgriffins@netzero.com or call her at 317-640-4430 for more information or to schedule a presentation to your school district, Chamber of Commerce or organization.

The Go Green Discovery Center is a 2011 Recipient of a Community Development Grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation and is also sponsored by the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Teacher Resources

Hancock County Teachers: Get A Chance For A Go Green Grant

Leave a comment

NEWS FLASH!!!! All Hancock County teachers who complete the Dani’s Dreams Teacher Needs Survey by Dec. 15, 2011 will be registered for a $200 Go Green Grant. Design a science classroom project that can be connected to one or more of the learning centers at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center and Dani’s Dreams will fund the supplies and equipment and pay for transportation to conduct the project at Dani’s Dreams. The winner must be from a school in Hancock County and will be announced in January 2012. The winning project will also be featured in the new Go Green Discovery Center sponsored by the Hancock County Community Foundation opening in August 2012. To register for the contest, please provide your contact information at the bottom of the survey.
Check out the teacher resources page on this site for lesson plans and the home page for upcoming events at Dani’s Dreams or email dgriffins@netzero.com for more information.