Environmental Intern Summer 2014
 

Plant and soil biology (restoration)
All meetings are on Thursday,  from 4-6 pm

The Math Science Nucleus is looking for a few dedicated high school students who are serious about restoration in the local area.  We are conducting a class during the summer for students entering 9th-12th grade who want to learn not only about plant and soil biology, but to understand how you use science to fix environmental problems.  Students will learn different composting techniques.  These students can also help during the year on other restoration projects at these same sites.   Students can earn community service or service learning hours for their participation.   

Funding for these projects come from different sources including Lam Research Foundation,  Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District,  Alameda County District 2, Altamont Education Advisory Board Grants and the Math Science Nucleus.

 The following are some of the activities and meeting places:  

June 19  -  Tule Ponds - Basic plant and soil biology (native vs non native)

June 26 -  Stivers Lagoon/Duck Island -  Planning restoration – defining the need (How do you design a study)

July 10    California Nursery/Masonic Home  -  Caring for trees;  visit to composting facility  (Reforestation on a grand scale)

July 17    Tule Ponds -  Composting basics – temperature, pH, and mixing (Learning how to take chemical parameters)

July 24    Tule Ponds -  Plant propagation (How to germinate seeds, requirements and other ways to grow plants; plant genetics)

July 31    Sabercat Creek -  Restoration of Historical area (How do you determine the plant communities)

Aug 7     Mission Creek -  10 years after restoration (Defining what was done, and how it can be maintained)

Aug 14   Tule Ponds  - Restoration projects for school year, and end of class party

Contact Dr. Joyce Blueford at blueford@msnucleus.org if interested (please do not call).  Volunteers needs to commit to most of the sessions. We are looking for about 10 students.  Please email Dr. Blueford with your name, address, school, commitment of dates, and email.  Please write a short paragraph of why you should be chosen as an intern.

INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Joyce Blueford, Geologist (Board President, Math Science Nucleus)
Stanley Gu (Mission High School, senior)

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