June 2003
Contact: Holly Brooker
(845) 255-1450 xt.1301

Ulster BOCES Instructional Services sponsored its first Environmental Education Expo this spring. The free Expo was a county-wide event that helped teachers and administrators become more familiar with and experience the various environmental education programs aidable through the Ulster BOCES Environmental Education Coordination cooperative service. Providers were on hand to share ideas, showcase materials, and demonstrate possible activities that could be conducted with students in kindergarten through Grade 12. Guests had the opportunity to speak with representatives from various environmental educational sites and participate in a discussion on how these programs might fit into their school's curriculum.

"The Environmental Expo was a great success," states Cathy Law, an advanced placement environmental science teacher at New Paltz High School. "It's very exciting to see what a rich neighborhood for environmental education we live in."

School teachers, administrators, and local community group leaders perused exhibits of more than 15 environmental education groups at the Ulster BOCES Conference Center in New Paltz. A highlight of the event was the "environmentally friendly" snacks provided by the Ulster BOCES Life Skill's class at Rondout Valley Middle School. The goodies were a trail mix made up of gorp, fruit kabobs, vegetarian pizzas, cheese, and crackers.

"The kids worked incredibly hard to get the snacks ready for the expo, especially since bad weather caused cancelled classes and delays," recalled Janet Schliff, Ulster BOCES Special Education teacher.

The Ulster BOCES Environmental Education Coordination service assists participating districts in planning their educational activities by engaging students in various activities at numerous environmental facilities to help reinforce studies taught in the classroom.