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CPF Green Girls – Strack Pond – NYC – 2019 ©Sean J. Rhinehart For more of me: http://seanjamar.com/
Do you have a middle school-aged daughter who is interested in science and environmental studies? Or who just loves to play in the park? The CityParks Green Girls Empowered by ING Program is a great way for them to engage digitally with the parks and science during pandemic lockdown and beyond.
The innovative science-and STEM-based after school and summer program has a long history of inspiring middle school girls from underprivileged neighborhoods to explore parks and become environmental scientists. It was created nearly 20 years ago to increase awareness about the important role that green space plays and to address the lack of science programs for girls. Now, as we all struggle with the “New Normal” of living in a pandemic, it’s more important than ever for young New Yorkers to take respite (safely) in local green spaces and participate in environmental education.
CPF Green Girls – Strack Pond – NYC – 2019 ©Sean J. Rhinehart For more of me: http://seanjamar.com/
The Green Girls program turns NYC’s public parks, forests and waterways into learning laboratories where kids engage in experiments and community service. Students also learn about potential careers in the sciences from primarily female environmentalists and scientists such as park rangers, foresters, ornithologists, and wildlife experts. In addition to STEM lessons, the program facilities social-emotional learning through discussions with former students and team-building activities.
While they have transitioned their current after school program to distance learning (through mid June), the online lessons educate students on how they can continue to engage with nature through activities at home, on their blocks or at local parks (at a safe distance) to continue STEM learning. At this point, no determinations have been made about whether or not they will continue distance learning in the summer program.
In honor of Earth Day this week, the City Parks Foundation and ING announced a three-year partnership to support the CityParks Green Girls program and double the size of their summer intensive program for young New Yorkers beginning in 2021. They will also adapt and share their digital curriculum with teachers around the country free of charge beginning in late 2020.
“This new partnership will create opportunities for Green Girls locally and nationally,” said Chrissy Word, Director of Education at City Parks Foundation. “This support will help educate young women to become the next generation of environmental changemakers, as well as provide educators nationally with innovative tools that will result in meaningful science lessons in outdoor classrooms as well as advocacy for and restoration of our natural areas by young women.”
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Margel Nusbaumer is a local writer and mom in Brooklyn. Thoughts? Reach out to margel@achildgrows.com.
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