Tag Archives: Discovery Center

Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

NOW you kNOW…How seeds grow

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Diagram courtesy hubpages.com.

If Plants Get:

Sun,

Air (CO2 carbon dioxide)

Water

Soil (nutrients)

Then they make energy that helps them grow

And then they give us:

Oxygen we need to breathe and

Food for animals and people (like Dani’s Dreams green beans, corn and pumpkins)

It’s all part of God’s wonderful plan!

Let us know how your garden is growing… Post your pictures and comments here or on the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s Facebook page.

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The first 10 kids to post a photo of them in their garden will receive a free Dani’s Dreams T-shirt!

Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

So Grow and Do It…

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At Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center, we’re growing vegetables and flowers. Volunteers are weeding, watering and watching the plants grow.

Thanks to rain barrels donated by the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, watering is easier. Zion Lutheran Daycare children gave the green bean, pumpkin and corn seeds their first drink with water from the rain barrels – conservation in action!

You can grow your own green beans:

Use a container filled with dirt or find a spot for a garden in your backyard.

Get some green bean seeds, (Bush beans are easier to grow than pole beans.)

Dig a hole about half a finger deep and drop in two or three seeds every four inches.

Cover them up lightly with dirt.

Watch, water and weed  – you should see a sprout in about a week.

In about 55 days, you will have green beans to pick just like at Dani’s Dreams!

If you want to be a part of Watching ‘Em Grow in our Community Garden, email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430.

Let us know how your garden is growing… Post your pictures and comments here or on the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s Facebook page.

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

They did it and so can you!

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Children at Zion Lutheran Daycare joined with Dani’s Dreams to plan and plant the four plots in the Community Garden at the Go Green Discovery Center June 14. Students then put on their reporter hats and will keep the community up to date with progress at the gardens.

If your Scout, Daycare, Preschool or School group wants to have a unique outdoor activity or project, email dgriffins@netzero.com or call 317-640-4430 and Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center will work with you to make it happen – Dream It – Do It!

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

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

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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!

Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center

“It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.”

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Dani’s Dreams is all about growing, discovering, becoming – little seeds are planted, take root and reach toward the sky. The Go Green Discovery Center is in the seedling stage, changing and morphing to meet the needs of Hancock County schoolchildren. Be a part of the process – meaningful, environmental activities, crafts and demonstrations are planned this Friday 3:30-5 p.m. We’ll end with a showing of “The Lorax” and snacks.

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Dream it – Do it!

Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Go Green Discovery Center Update

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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

Running for Dani’s Dreams. . .

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PHOTOS BY ELYSE SOMBKE, ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL
New Palestine residents, friends and family of Dani Griffin and others showed up in force for the fifth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 4 at New Palestine High School, on what would have been Dani’s 30th birthday. The event raises funds for the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center at Zion Lutheran School, New Palestine.
Watch ‘Em Grow is the theme for this year’s event and the title of the new Go Green Discovery Center, open this fall, funded in part by the Hancock County Community Foundation. The Go Green Center is open to all Hancock County students and will be powered by solar and wind energy and contain interactive exhibits and activities to enhance science education in the area.
Hancock County students talents were on display at the walk/run and T-shirt design and essay contest winners were recognized: Katie Taylor, Zion Lutheran School is the winner and her design is on all the race shirts. Second place went to Lee Ann James, Sugar Creek Elementary and third place to Sarah Maynard, Sugar Creek Elementary. Drake Shadle, New Palestine Elementary and Ireland Crabtree, Zion Lutheran, are the essay contest winners.
Christina Harkleroad was also honored as the 2012 recipient of the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Scholarship.
Race winners are: Riley Wilson, men’s division and Sue Gaudreau, women’s division.
Thanks to all the race and event sponsors: Hancock County Community Foundation, Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, who donated four rain barrels to the Go Green Discovery Center; Hillcrest Tree Farm, Noll Landscape Group, Team Image Screenprint and Embroidery, Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation, Dr. Brian Schoppel, McDonald’s of New Palestine, Mama Nita’s Pizza, K&K Fence Company, Auto Air and Heating, Greenfield Walmart, Greenfield Home Depot, Dr. Sharon Paluga, New Palestine Gentle Dentist, Sam’s Club, Greenfield Home Depot, 10th and Post, Johnson-Melloh Solutions and Michele Conti.
A special thanks goes to the Dani Griffin Innovation in Education Memorial Committee (you know who you are) who provide their time, talents, love and commitment to keeping Dani’s Dreams alive, including Claudia Griffin, Buttons and Bows, whose face painting made the day so special.
Love, you all!

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

The Go Green Center is Growing – Check It Out!

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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

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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!

Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events

Vote for Dani’s Dreams!

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Dear Family, Friends and Friends of Friends – basically anyone within shouting distance – Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center needs your help! We are a finalist for a 2K Solar Renewable Energy System for our Go Green Discovery Center under construction. This would be a fantastic way to teach thousands of kids in Hancock County and surrounding areas about alternative energy and taking care of their world.
FIRST log on to WIBC’s Innovation in Action page
THEN REGISTER to VOTE
SEARCH for Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center
VOTE
Only one vote per email but you can register and vote twice if you have more than one email.
VOTING ENDS JUNE 27 – PLEASE spread the word to your friends. We’re up against some big organizations but we’re the only ones in New Palestine:)
Thanks so much!!!