Tag Archives: STEM Education

Change the World, Dani's Dreams Club, Donations and Fundraising, Special Activities, Special Events, Special program, Sustainability, Teacher Resources

Get UPCLOSE with butterflies Wed. Sept. 16 at Dani’s Dreams!

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butterflies up close poster

Get UpClose with Monarch Butterflies Wed. Sept. 16, 3:30-5 p.m. at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center!

Teacher Brenda Kreutz and the Zion second graders have been working hard, feeding and recording the growth process of close to 50 Monarch caterpillars! The second graders will be conducting tours of the new butterfly pavilion, demonstrating how to feed and hold a butterfly and passing out specially designed stickers.

Willing Hands Designs will be facepainting. Enjoy free treats and check out the debut of Dani’s Dreams newsmat! The event is free and open to all area families.
Donations will be accepted.
Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Girl Scouts Badge Day, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Activities, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Step up to the ‘Change the World’ Challenge – Support Dani’s Dreams

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useDSC_0674We’re all looking to “change the world”…the funny thing is we don’t realize that every day our actions, big and small make a difference in our families’ lives, our schools, our jobs and our communities.

Kids are often told they are too young, that they must wait to “change the world.” But at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center kids are changing the world every day – by learning, by growing and by caring about God’s great creation.

Events like Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge, “Dig It” day, “Remember Our Roots” tree day, Children’s Museum Nights, Weird Animals presentations at VBS, and Girl Scouts Badge Days are only possible through the generous donations of Southern Hancock families, businesses and community members who support innovative education activities for our children.

Next up, Dani’s Dreams will be developing the Butterfly Garden and adding a pavilion for the “Butterflies Up Close” project this August. Teachers and Scout Leaders who would like more information on how to be a part of the project (at no cost), email director Donna Griffin at dgriffins96@gmail.com or call 640-4430.

CLICK HERE to SIGN UP  to register for the eighth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, donate or become a business sponsor .

Even if you can’t be there Aug. 1 for the walk/run, you can still register or donate and get a one-of-a-kind T-shirt. Groups of 10 or more who sign up can get their name on the back of the race T-shirts.

Download registration forms for the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run:

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Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Events, Teacher Resources

A grand day for an Earth Day Challenge!

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We’re all looking to “change the world”…the funny thing is we don’t realize that every day our actions, big and small make a difference in our families’ lives, our schools, our jobs and our communities.

Kids are often told they are too young, that they must wait to “change the world.” But at Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center kids are changing the world every day – by learning, by growing and by caring about God’s great creation.

At Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge April 17, children teamed up with their grandparents to make crafts, take a “How well do you know me?” quiz, plant bulbs and had old-fashioned fun with bubbles, made paper airplanes and shared a Frosty Boy ice cream treat. Every child who attended the challenge received a prize – a “Change the World” wristband!

In celebration of Earth Day, families also learned how their home can be a Certified Wildlife Habitat, and about the importance of sustainability in protecting the planet.

Those attending cast their votes for the winning T-Shirt Design for the Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run Aug. 1 at New Palestine High School.

Events like Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge are only possible through the generous donations of Southern Hancock families, businesses and community members who support innovative education activities for our children.

Sign up now to register for the eighth annual Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, donate or become a business sponsor by clicking here!

Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Go Green Discovery Center, Special Activities, Special Events

Change The World – One moment at a time! Start today…

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Today’s the day for old-fashioned fun and learning at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge April 17, 3:30 p.m.

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Support innovative STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) education projects for grades K-8 by donating to Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center. Next school year alone Dani’s Dreams will be expanding the Butterfly Garden with a pavilion and a campaign to help the endangered Monarch Butterfly, opening our solar power exhibit at the Go Green Center and starting an internship program for area college students.

You can donate today to support Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s innovative projects and register for the Aug. 1 Dani’s Dreams Memorial Walk/Run here. Help kids “Change the World with your donation. Dani’s Dreams does not charge for special events, activities and teacher resources and relies solely on donations and grants for funding.

Email dgriffins96@gmail.com for more information.

 

Change the World, Donations and Fundraising, Special Events, Special program, Teacher Resources

How does a paper airplane fly? Find out Friday at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Challenge!

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Grandparents and grandkids  – the challenge is on this Friday at Dani’s Dreams! Kids, get your grandparents and have some old-fashioned fun from 3:30-5 p.m. on April 17. Crafts, activities and fun are planned. One stop on the challenge is the “How Far Can It Fly? station. Here are some tips on how to soar above the rest!

IT’S ALL ABOUT AERODYNAMICS

imgresWhat makes a paper airplane fly? Air — the stuff that’s all around you. Hold your hand in front of your body with your palm facing sideways so that your thumb is on top and your pinkie is facing the floor. Swing your hand back and forth. Do you feel the air? Now turn your palm so it is parallel to the ground and swing it back and forth again, like you’re slicing it through the air. You can still feel the air, but your hand is able to move through it more smoothly than when your hand was turned up at a right angle. How easily an airplane moves through the air, or its aerodynamics, is the first consideration in making an airplane fly for a long distance.

Change the World, Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Earth Day Dedication Event, Special Activities, Special Events, Teacher Resources

Change the World at Dani’s Dreams!

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1useDSC_0496Set up a recycling bin at your house…turn off lights that you are not using…find out about your world and share that with others – each action will Change the World!

Enter the Dani’s Dreams Outdoor Education Center’s annual T-shirt design and essay contest.
The theme for this year’s event is “Change The World” and all Hancock County classrooms, Scout and youth groups are invited to environmental educational activities and crafts at Dani’s Dreams Earth Day Dedication Event April 17, 3:30-5 p.m. 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 eighth annual memorial walk/run Aug. 1. 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. 1 at the beginning of the walk/run at New Palestine High School.

2. WRITE AN ESSAY based on the theme “Change the World!” Entries from all ages will be accepted. The winner 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 or bring it to Dani’s Dreams April 17, 3:30-5.
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 17 3:30-5 p.m. Keep up with all the Dani’s Dreams news at http://www.danisdreamsoutdooredcenter.com. Email dgriffins96@gmail.com for more information.Here’s the entry form for the T-shirt design and essay contest:
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Dani's Dreams Memorial Walk/Run, Donations and Fundraising, Dream It - Do It!, Remember Our Roots, Special Activities, Special Events, Special program, Teacher Resources

Expanding Our Reach….

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With innovative environmental education events and activities, more children than ever took advantage of the chance to make a difference in the world around them at Dani’s Dreams in 2014. Girl Scouts, daycare kids and elementary, middle and high school students and teachers created, learned and discovered during Dani’s Dreams events, sharing their knowledge with others on Dani’s Dreams website, Facebook page and in video reports, stories and posters.

 

How does Dani’s Dreams gardens grow?

useIMG_5510Quite well, thanks to Zion Lutheran Daycare children who provided the necessary TLC through planting, watering and weeding throughout the growing season. Dani’s Dreams provides children with hands-on learning experiences while developing responsibility and appreciation for the environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

useDSCN7271VBS Weird Animals

Dani’s Dreams brought Weird Animals activities and a Family Educational Presentation to Zion Lutheran Vacation Bible School in June 2014. Students planted and took their seeds home to “Watch ‘Em Grow!” and made tree badges with their names or pictures and words that showed how they can take care of God’s world.

 

useDSC_0626Ooey, gooey Ooblick!

Zion Lutheran students took a moment to get in the goo at the Dani’s Dreams table during registration in August 2014. Donations to Dani’s Dreams makes learning moments like this possible. Dani’s Dreams will design a unique learning opportunity for your class, preschool, Scout Troop, daycare or other community group. Email dgriffins96@gmail.com or call 317-640-4430.

 

Our walk/run is all about growing dreams…

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Dani’s Dreams is all about the little things – seeds, children and moments that remind us all what’s really important. Our run walk is unique – we really do have the “coolest T-shirts on the planet”, designed for the eighth year by a Zion Lutheran student, Audrey Poole, but the walk/run day is a family celebration as well as an athletic event. We’re celebrating how one person’s life and dreams can continue to have a positive impact even after she leaves this earthly world. Children learn how truly powerful they are and what they can accomplish – whether it’s running around the track just one more time, and crossing the finish line with their great grandfather, seeing hundreds of people wearing your design, knowing your drawing is on the door of an educational facility, and above all, discovering and appreciating your small role in God’s awesome creation.

We so grateful for the opportunity to share Dani’s Dreams with the Zion Lutheran Church and School she loved so much and all of the support over these last eight years. We really believe we are just beginning to take root, and are so grateful for the New Palestine community who supported Dani’s Dreams through either signing up and attending the Run/Walk, or donating and volunteering. Thanks to all who signed up and came to walk, to run (even a few feet) to enjoy and to celebrate seeing children reach their dreams!