The Environmental Cost of AI

I have been embracing AI and trying out a multitude of platforms: ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, Claude, Google Gemini, Canva's "Magic Media Tools," and more. Increasingly, AI is integrated into existing platforms for teachers, students, everyone. I've used it for planning a trip to Spain, for the scrapbook commentary of my pics from that trip, for recipes, for lesson planning, for photo creation, for revising & summarizing, and  on and on more. Additionally, I'm planning a one-day teacher professional development workshop for one day this summer--so I've been living in it a lot!

Along my research travels, I ran across this infographic from Educators Technology that Med Kharbach, PhD. It describes the environmental impacts of AI. With us all on our computers all the time, we don't think that one more website might have as big of an impact as it does. But clearly, as it shows below, it's not just the website. There's the energy consumptions, carbon footprint, mineral mining & resource depletion, multiple levels of pollution, and transporation costs. It's a lot to consider here while technology's innovation solves many of our problems, it also creates new ones too... all of which highlights the importance of addressing environmental issues and making it a planetary priority!

Images from https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1092111519614816&set=a.558590699633570

Pride Month: Out In the Wild

June. Pride Month. A time to honor our right to joy, resilience, and a reminder

that we all have the right to be free and to be our own personal selves. 

Nothing in nature asks for permission to grow--nor should we feel like

we have to ask for similar permission.

 

Pride month is a month of identity. It's biodiversity in human form. It's a good time to grapple with deeper questions like: Who gets to feel safe? Who gets to be seen? Who gets to belong? The answer is--we all deserve that right. 

The waving rainbow flags are pretty and the parades and events can be entertaining. But more importantly, they are empowering. Just as the planet needs biodiversity to thrive, so do we as humans. There's no thriving in nature on sameness. We need the richness of diversity to keep our food webs and habitats healthy; in doing so, we keep our plants and animal species from becoming endangered or extinct. Our wild variety is what maintains our environmental resilience. Our communities and cultures, like our ecosystems, are the healthiest and most vibrant when varied and diverse. Skin colors, sexual/gender orientations, religious beliefs, and all the differences in between. 

Nature seemingly is neutral--and yet, that isn't always the reality. Politics have creeped into environmental issues in more ways than one--and with the onset of social media, there's certainly way too much politics.

Additionally, the outdoor world isn't as gender-non-specific as you'd imagine. A lot of the outdoor industry is geared to straight, white males. That can make it hard for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) folks to feel comfortable out in nature. Instead, they can feel more "outsiders" than "out in nature-ers." Outdoor spaces may not always feel safe--both physically and as a place to feel emotionally safe to be out and openly queer. Hate crimes are real, and sadly, LGBTQ+ people are at a higher risk of being victims of these.  People not only deserve safe places, but they want and need to feel included, represented, and like they are a part of a community of like-minded individuals...where they are surrounded by connection versus limitations, segregation, or exclusion.

Along those lines, representation and seeing yourself in certain circumstances matter. People matter. Everyone's uniqueness matters. The right to feel comfortable in spaces where you want to be...they matter. Everyone is entitled to the right to be comfortable in their own skin, living a life that works for them, being treated with kindness and respected for who they are. Outdoors or environmental education affinity groups can help to build a more inclusive outdoors, as can the knowledge, the acceptance, and the intersection of LGBTQ+ pride along with racial or environmental justice and outdoor recreation too.

There’s a growing field of study known as Queer Ecology.  Queer Ecology counters the assumption that nature is rigid or binary. There's a lot of fluidity out there in nature: species that change sex (clownfish and slipper limpets) and same-sex partner paired animals (penguins, bonobos monkeys), and male-birthing seahorses. Imagine if we had that level of openness in our human species and greater communities.

So maybe for the remainder of this Pride Month, now that schools are out and kids, teens, and grown-ups alike are all out and about, playing outside more than before, we can celebrate not only the healthiness of nature's biodiveristy but that of our human kind too. Inviting anyone to climb trees, hike trails, and find their space and place in nature, in a safe way, in a welcoming way, in an everyday way!

For more resources that embrace the intersection of pride, planet, environmental & social justice, check out the following:

• National Forest Foundations' article: These LGBTQIA+ Leaders are Creating Space for Pride Outdoors

• Sierra Club's article:  Out, Proud, & Outdoors: 5 Organizations that Help Members of the Queer Community Experience the Outdoors 

• Pride Outside's resource page: Organizations and Initiatives Connecting the LGBTQ Community and the Outdoors

• National Park Foundation's article: Finding Pride Outside: The LGBTQ Community is Overcoming Barriers, Finding Joy, Sharing History, and Creating Space Outdoors

• Children & Nature's Celebrating Pride Month (which includes links to many resources, organizations, and inspirational stories)

• Muddy Paddle Club's post: Why We Need Pride in Outdoor Learning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Postscript:

This Pride Month post was already in the works when this past Wednesday's decision came out that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is closing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, effective July 17, 2025 (30 days after the announcement).

Timing, as they say, is always everything.

Given this, please take note if you or a loved one need these of a crisis lifeline service, the Trevor Project is here for you. The Trevor Project provides advocacy, affirmation, eduation, and crisis support 24/7 for LGBTQ+ youth. Crisis services include:  

• Lifeline—The only national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ+ young people under age 25, available at 1-866-488-7386.

• Chat—A 24/7 free instant messaging service for LGBTQ+ youth that provides live help from trained counselors, open daily.

• Text—A 24/7 free service through which LGBTQ+ young people can text a trained counselor of The Trevor Project for support and crisis intervention, available daily by texting START to 678678.

• To learn more, go to the Trevor Project's website.

"Biodiversity" image from https://www.muddypuddleclub.co.uk/post/why-we-need-pride-in-outdoor-learning; "Our Minds Matter" from https://ourmindsmatter.org/2022/05/31/lgbtq-minds-matter/, "It's Pride Month" image from https://www.nathab.com/blog/wild-about-pride-the-nature-of-belonging; Trevor Project logo from https://www.thetrevorproject.org/; Pride Month quote picture created at www.canva.com using their Magic Media tools

The Invisible Rights That Hold Us: Flag Day 2025

Today is Flag Day, 2025. There's a lot of fanfare going on in and around Washington, D.C. today to honor that and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. All of which has caused me to reflect on our the flag and the heart of some of our founding American documents:

❤️ Our 1776 Declaration of Independence and it's powerful theme: “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

🤍 Our 1777 adoption of the flag and how Flag Day was first formalized in 1916 by President Wilson then officially recognized by Congress in 1949 as an annual day of honor and celebration.

💙 Our Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, naming the first 10 Constitutional Amendments and our fundamental freedoms worth fighting for: free speech, religion, due process, right to assemble, and more.

Embedded in all of this is the knowledge there are other freedoms that aren't printed in these doctrines, but they are equally important. Ones with environmental impact, ones without which we cannot live. Maybe they aren't etched in marble or housed in the National Archives, but they are necessary. Quieter, simpler, maybe softer, silent, and invisible. Yet, they are vital and hold us all the same.

Click through the slides below to see the 10 Invisible Rights That Hold Us (and that we should hold dear):

“The Invisible Rights That Hold Us” by Dabrowka, Ms. Vicki

So this Flag Day, while the flags are raised for our country--a country with a long, layered history based on principles, resilience, strength, and democracy while also flawed and imperfect--let’s raise our awareness too of these other rights. These invisible rights. Let's protect them, and in doing so protect each other. 

Sometimes that comes quietly in observation, and sometimes we need to speak up when it counts. Here are three places that can help you do that:

• Learn how environmental law protects invisible rights at Earthjustice.
• Explore how enviornmental rights & human dignity are intertwined at The Center for Human Rights and the Environment.
• See how businesses are rethinking their impact in protecting our shared future via climate action at We Mean Business Coalition.

Images created at canva.com.

Ahhhh, Summer! The Glory Days for Teachers!

I don't think I can fully put into words what it means to be a teacher who reaches summer vacation. No matter how much we love our job, summer is a sublime respite. 

By the time we get there, there's total truth to the statement: "There's no tired like end-of-the-year-teacher tired." 

This year, my school did a total box-up, prepping for the next school year in portables (aka: "educational cottages") as our school undergoes a major rebuilding project. So it takes the above statement to a new level: "There's no tired like end-of the year-teacher tired topped with packing an entire elementary school." The movers started in earnest, carrying away boxes and furniture the day after school got out this week. It's going to be a multi-day event! My room was already packed, so I was helping others with fully-packed rooms of instruments, art supplies, and science equipment. There's a lot of stuff in schools, that's for sure!

So as I'm sitting at the cusp of summer, with the glory of summer days, down time, pool fun, day trips, personal projects, and more ahead... I know a large part of summer for me (in addition to relaxation and recalibration) is also free exploration and time to soak in what I want to learn. I have my books I want to read (because "reading season is here"), but I also have websites and podcasts to explore. Maybe this is because my profession is me: I'm a teacher and a lifelong learner. The two go hand in hand.

One of my first stops is going to be a recent Facebook page/website discovery I've made: Educators Technology. (He's on all the other socials too--check out his About page.) In addition to the topic being the core of my being, Educators Technology has a wealth of resources, graphics, articles, and more to ponder, investigate, and dive into. It's a blog that was started in 2010 by Canadian educator Med Kharbach, PhD, and now 15 years later is highly acclaimed, referenced, and followed by K-12 educators. His simple yet detailed infographics drew me in from his Facebook page. 

Here are some great resources for my educator friends out there from Educators Technology. (If necessary, click images for clearer versions). Best part--learning happens on our schedule. Maybe at the pool, possibly the beach with sand between our toes, or between naptime and cocktail hour!  Cheers!

Intro image from https://www.secondaryenglishcoffeeshop.com/2017/06/schools-out-for-summer-teacher-challenge.html

Infographic images from https://www.facebook.com/Edtechandmobilelearning?_rdc=1&_rdr

Reading Season Is Here

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, college kids are home, graduations caps & gowns have been donned, and many of us just have a couple of days of school left--or are completely done!

Summer is here! Longer days of sun, pool-beach-boat plans abound.... and life starts slowing down as June, July, and August heatwaves head our way. Sounds like reading season to me!

I read all kinds of books: mysteries, romance, coming of age tales, non-fiction, work-related reads, chick-lit, biographies, young adults/kids books, and more. This past year, I've become a big fan of audio books, especially when driving about the world or doing laundry. It makes for the perfect escape and travel mate!

If you are a bibliophile like me, you might be looking for a few good books for your lazy, hazy days of summer ahead. 

Here are 8 booklists where you can find over 120 books to inspire your eco-reading this season:

• Doing Good Together's Picture Books to Inspire Environmental Justice Seekers

• Doing Good Together's Chapter Books That Inspire Kids to Heal the Earth

• EcoLit's Books: The Best Environmental Books We’ve Read in 2024

• The Revelator's 20 Books to Inspire You in the Year Ahead 

• Earthwatch's 23 Must-Read Science Books About the Environment

• Piqosity's Environmental Literature for Earth Day--divided by genre

• Penguin Random House's Environmental Science Books--divided by topic

• Climate Action's Booklist--divided by reading levels

Images created at Canva.com

Black Birder Week 2025: May 25--May 31

It might seem odd that "Black Birders Week" 

is "a thing."  It is. 

It is an annual even that takes place the last week of May, this year on May 25--May 31st. The first was in 2020--a year we may all remember as being under the cloud of Covid. 2020 was also the year of the murder of George Floyd, which was perhaps watched by many more than perhaps would have seen it because of the pandemic quarantine and so many at home due to the lock down for health reasons. Additionally, this is the year that Christian Cooper, a black man in Central Park, New York City was out watching birds yet was falsely accused of racial discrimination and threatening a woman and her dog. 

It brought about an awareness of the issue that Black people can often face safety issues when out in the field in STEM professions. One wouldn't think that environmentalism would fall on racial lines, as nature and the environment are there for everyone to enjoy and celebrate ... however there are surprising number of social justice issues related to environmentalism. Representation matters, and historically black environmentalists have been underrepresented in outdoor spaces

So began the concept of Black Birders Week, created by TheBlackAFinSTEM Collective and supported by the Audubon Society, the NYC Bird Alliance, and the Feminist Bird Club (started in 2016 for similar representation reasons).

The mission:

"to support, uplift, amplify Black Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics professionals in natural resources and the environment through professional development, career connection, and community engagement."

This year's theme is "Grounded in Community."

To learn more, check out these resources:

• Black AF in STEM's Black Birder Week page
  
• Connor Prairie's Black Birder Week page
• NYC Bird Alliance's Black Birder Week page

Images from https://rtipress.scholasticahq.com/article/125415 and https://www.blackafinstem.com/

Yay or Nay to "No Mow May"?

I’m sitting outside, observing nature, weekend chillaxing, and pondering my words—not an unusual approach to my weekends here at this time of year. Especially as out school days are dwindling. It’s sort of my outdoor office. 

As I gander about at the flowers my green thumb husband has planted to beautify our yard, I’m noticing the heavy doses of rain from the week have made our grass shoot up. It’s time to mow…but it isn’t happening today.

All of which brought to mind the concept of “No Mow May” since we are still here in the middle of that month.

To mow or not to mow…that is the question. And a rather controversial one at that, I’ve come to discover. 

The benefits are striking. By skipping mowing, you …

• Allow your lawn to flourish with wildflowers (preferably native) to provide safe comfort and nectar for pollinating bees and butterflies.

• Promote biodiversity by creating a yard habitat for a variety of wildlife.

• Improve your soil health by letting your grass grow longer, which in turn aids in water retention. 

• Save your own time and effort by letting your lawn go “au naturel.”

• Reduce pollution by leaving your lawn mower in your garage.

• Can create a healthier, more resilient lawn that is more drought resistant.

But the downsides are also numerous:

• If not tended properly, you can inadvertently create an unwelcome pests: ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents, to name a few.

• You grow more weeds than grass or maybe some invasive species take root, which then takes up an unruly life of its own, overtaking the “good grass.”

• You may even get some unwanted tree seed growth that blow your way in the wind. Woody plants over time are harder to get rid of than weeds (should you change your mind later on with the no-mow business).

• Some home owner associations and local municipalities get a little grumbly over the overgrowth. Might be worth checking you HOA rules and bylaws, which might come with fines.

• Long grass gets heavy over time and the blissful meadow you were hoping for may come to look like a neighborhood eyesore and a no-mowed abandoned lot instead. (see HOA above!)

The short term benefits may not be worth the long term costs—to you, your home aesthetics, and the road back to a healthy lawn. So before you make the decision to finish off May in a no-mow-kind-of-way… or if you are pondering jumping on the band wagon for next year, it’s worth doing your research. 

Maybe creating a native plants garden patch in your yard is the best way to get maximum benefits with minimal side effects.!

These are good places to go to learn more:

• Niall Garden's YouTube Video: "No Mow: Yes or No? | Everything You Need to Know! | No Mow May"
• AP New's "No Mow May? Good intentions, bad approach, critics say"  by Jessica Damiano (May 2023)
• Monarch Gardens LLC's "Just Say No to No Mow May" (April 2023)
• Greenwise Team's "No Mow May: Pros & Cons of This Pollinator Movement" (April 2022)
• Rewinding.com's "The Surprising Downside of #NoMowMay" by Sheila Colla (May 2022)

Image from https://wildsight.ca/events/no-mow-may/ and my backyard, grass level

Happy Mother's Day 2025

This weekend is Mother's Day. It got me thinking about all sorts of motherhood as I sat outside watching springtime in action, with birds & squirrels frolicking amidst our flowers in bloom. Just as mothers tend their children, the earth tends us all. 

May all who tend each other out there (including you, Mother Earth), have a glorious Mother's Day weekend ahead.

To the human mother, rocking her child in the wee small hours, tending to knees and needs, always taking care of thankless deeds....

To the animal mother, shielding her young, whether furred or winged, sheltering the den, fiercely protective & guarding them time and again....

To Mother Earth herself, cradler of forests, keeper of ocean currents, arms wide to the sky where birds soar and fly high....

Thank you for your gift of giving, your love of living, your shelter, warmth, protection, guidance, and endless strength you share.

It is through your raising--whether by heart, hands, paws, wings, rain, sunshine, breath--that we are fed,  taught, and shown the path to grow, to heal, to take root, and to soar.

Today, we honor mothers of all kinds—

whether they gave birth to us or shared their hearts in other countless ways,

those who nourished us through laughter and tears, throughout the years, through shared wisdom, gentle encouragement, and unwavering patience,

Never asking for more than our the gift of carrying their care forward, out into the world.

Happy Mother's Day!

Image created using Magic Media tools of Canva.com

Hummingbird Are Heading Back

'Tis the season for hummingbird spring migration. The further south you are, your hummingbirds may already be back. This map and Accuweather's article "Hummingbird Migration Underway in the US: Here's When They'll Reach Your Garden" will help you know when you need to get your feeder out in your own backyard!

Image from  https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/hummingbird-migration-underway-in-the-us-heres-when-theyll-reach-your-garden/1753177#google_vignette

Science Resources for Everyone

Here in the days following Earth Day, as we are starting the roll to the end of the school year, you may still have science on the mind. What a great way to fill the end of the year timeline with some hands-on online student STEM/STEAM activities.

Here are some great science websites to check out:

• Smithsonian Science Education Game Center -- Here you'll find 12 STEM online games and 8 online simulations, all with grade level listings (ranging from Kindergarten to grade 8) with learning objectives & written by curriculum experts.

• Common Sense Media's Resources for Student Science Projects and Experiments -- These 23 online websites & apps lead to grade-level-listed tools where students can put their observation, analysis, data, and research skills to use in a fun way while investing the real world. Each site comes with a full review from Common Sense Media.

• PBS Learning Media: Videos, IInteractives, & Lessons Plans -- Free resources to "bring the world to your classroom" on subjects such as science, social studies, math, language arts, engineering & technology, health & PE, preschool, professional development, and world languages, sortable by grade level bands
  

Image created at Canva.com

Earth Day 2025 Resources

Earth Day is around the corner: Tuesday, April 22nd. 

Here are some ready resources for you...

• EarthDay.org is always has a wealth of information. In addition to a variety of resources, you can also find Earth Day activities taken around the world, ways to take action, Earth Day statements and imagery to add to your social media, lesson plans, quizzes-toolkits-fact sheets, on the Earth Hub, and more.

• Common Sense Media's "Free Activities for Earth Day and Learning About the Environment" has over 45 links to grade-level activities to investigate by yourself or with students.

• Common Sense Media also has a curated list of 27 climate education tools on their "Climate Change Resources for Students and Teachers"

• Columbia Climate School (from NYC's Columbia University) has a wealth of K-12 lesson plans & resources for teachers. Lots of good stuff here and on their whole website.

• Pick up the book Climate Champions: 15 Women Fighting for Your Future by Rachel Sarah. Written for young adult readers, even adults will learn a lot by these inspiring women. The book is divided into 3 categories: "Challenge the System,""Hold Fast to Science," and "Take a Stand for Justice." One of my favorite environmentalists, Katharine Hayhoe, is Chapter 6! 

• Check out PBS's Carmen's Eco-Farm Adventure interactive for 6th through 12th graders.

• Boom Learning's article entitled Activities That Inspire Environmental Stewardship has some great ideas and activities while also good reasons to start environmental stewardship while kids are young.

• For other resources, be sure to check out Earth Day archives here at Green Team Gazette.

Image from https://earthday.columbia.edu/

Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle: 3 Decades of Teaching Materials Go In the Bin

It's Earth Month, so what better time to get your declutter on and go knee-deep-in reducing, reusing, and recycling!

I recently spent about 11 hours over the course of a weeekend doing just that--tho maybe more like neck-high-in! 

My mission: to purge two 4-drawer file cabinets and a dozen tubs and boxes in my garage. Lighten up and make space. 

The contents: 30+ years of teaching materials. 

Having been a teacher since the fall of 1991 (with the exception of one year between schools where I was moving, pregnant, and having my first child), I've accumulated and created a lot of materials over the years. The majority of my career has been in homeroom classrooms in about 6 different elementary schools. Ten of the last 11 years, the majority of these teacher materials have been living in my garage--untouched as I moved from teaching 3rd grade (or 2nd... or Kindergarten... or 5th grade) to teaching Technology. 

In this day and age, files are definitely more digital than anything, and it was time to "let go." No, not retiring yet, but my garage certainly was getting out of hand--just ask my husband! Plus I was settling on the answer of "no" to these questions: "Would I want to go back to a regular homeroom classroom? Would I ever use all of this again, even if I did?"

11 hours of purging about 33 years of materials gives you a lot of time to trip down memory lane. Upon pulling open the first file drawer, I had a pang. Did I really want to do this? I was thinking about the blood, sweat, toil, tears, and lamination/creation time I was about to get rid of. Yes, I'm doing this. It's time to reduce, reuse (via donation), and recycle!

7 garbage bags, 2 filled large yard lidded-recycle bins, at least a dozen bags and boxes of paper stacks of files to recycle, 20 or more dead binders that housed teaching units, and a half a dozen boxes of books to donate, I was in a lighter place. 

Yes--I got to see windows into each and every school I have taught. 

Yes--there's a lot of money that I have put into my teaching career. 

The biggest yes--there's a lot of irony in recycling binders of environment and green school lesson plans a couple weeks before Earth Day. The "circularity" was striking, though maybe not picture perfect when describing the circular economy of true sustainability. But I did mentally hear the "Circle of Life" song from the Lion King going through my mind.

But, also yes--all of this served me at its time. It was there when I needed it. It all helped mold me into the teacher I am today. 

And yes--some of the items (ditto copied resources and even transparency overlays from my early days in mid-1990s teaching) should have already been long gone. Maybe, just maybe, I've been an organized hoarder--or at least compiler of teaching materials. I was "curating" long before Pinterest even thought of it. Mine was just the file cabinet version.

The true moment of circularity for me came when my mission was completed and I realized there were far too many materials to put all out at the curb. Boxes of paper won't weather well when setting them out the night before an early trash/recycling pick up the next day. Given that, I loaded my dozen boxes into the back of the car and trekked to the local recycling center. Up and over the ledge into their bin all the boxes went.

A neat field trip we once took at the Maryland Green School I used to work at was to the local landfill and recycling center. I definitely flashed back as my files when floating in the bin. 

Yes, full circle. 

Graphic from https://www.pactcollective.org/pactresources/circularity, other images from my camera.

Happy 91st Birthday, Dr. Jane Goodall

This past Thursday was Dr. Jane Goodall's 91st birthday. Born April 3, 1934, she is still going strong, living a long, remarkable life! Thinking about her timeline, imagine all that she has lived through in terms of innovation & inventions, world events, social changes, and more. Then, there's her own amazing career as a primatologist, author, speaker, and planetary giver-of-hope. She is an extraordinary woman. I feel lucky to have seen her speak in person. (April 4th, 2008, in fact--the day after her 74th birthday.)

I've written about Jane Goodall several times here at GTG (check out the list below). Given that, it should be no surprise my level of reverence to her as an eco-rockstar. Celebrating her birthday and accomplishments seems like the perfect way to start off the month we celebrate Earth Day! We need to honor and thank champions, and Dr. Jane Goodall is a great place to start! I hope she's having an amazing birthday weekend!

• Happy 80th Bday Jane Goodall!! April 4, 2014
• The Love of Books... And Jane Goodall, August 15, 2014
• Jimmy & Jane (Fallon & Goodall, That is!), Sept 23, 2017
• 60 Seconds with Jane Goodall, May 16, 2020
• A Trio of Messengers of Hope, Feb 9, 2022
• Jane Goodall's 90th Birthday--Environmental Champion, April 17, 2024

Images from : https://bayweekly.com/old-site/year08/issuexvi15/burtonxvi15.html and Eco With Em's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ecowithem/posts/pfbid02xs9W9DuKusEFd69iFbg4jppm66FZGzHKRK3RiXziypR42Z8qns2Jbu4Vt2dH3Rbdl

The ABC Benefits of Travel

We just recently had spring break (a true joy for teachers and students alike). 

During that time, my husband and I went to Spain. Needless to say we had an amazing time, and I keep rolling the experiences over my mind. It was both our first time to Spain & to Europe together. 

It got me thinking that travel is the ultimate learning experience -- outdoor education as we walked miles through the cities we visited, conversations with locals and with travelers learning from each other, awareness of how other countries do things that we take for granted, comparing 'us versus them' and 'new versus old' and noticing that both can be exceptional...and that we are richer for the experience.

All of this during my trip reflection led to these ABC benefits of travel and all of the things I loved about our trip--big, small, important, powerful, significant, and meaningful.

Architecture & art and an astonishment of "how did they do that, so long ago, with less tools and technology to build these amazing structures?"

Bevy of beverages...not to mention bon voyages, backpacks, boarding passes, and bounding into new experiences.

Churches & cathedrals & capturing the visual sensation of old worlds and modern times coming together.

Deepen understanding of others and their diversity.

Exposure to exotic &/or extraordinary experiences, exploring different cultures, and exercising through miles of exploration. 

Food, flavor, fun, flexibility (as things don't always go the way you expect), ....and for us: flamenco!

Gives you a chance to become a global citizen, seeing how interconnected & similar we are despite our differences. 

Hands-on history lessons where you get to be at the heart of where so much has happened and see the impact humans have had on a place over time.

Increases empathy & exposes you to brand new horizons & it impacts your way of thinking and it illuminates new ideas.

Journeys have a way of jump-starting your creative juices as you see things through a different lens.

Keeps you on your toes as you navigate new territory, keenly aware on the kaleidoscope of new sights in front of you.

Learning thru immersion and sometimes even the uncertainty of local languages and getting lost.

Make meaningful memories while meandering, and meeting others along the way.

Novelty, newness, and nature nourish our soul and keeps us energized.

Overcoming small hurdles like getting around and trying to communicate in other languages gives a great opportunity for growth.

Perspectives, people-watching, & opportunities to practice patience.

Quaint little shops & quiet corners are what make new places quintessential gifts along your quest.

Real opportunity to build rapport and relationships with your fellow ramblers, while also reaffirming that rest, relaxation, and reflection are so important in order to emotionally, spiritually, and mentally readjust from the rigors of every day life. 

Stepping out of your own comfort zone and savoring the sights, sounds, sensations, & situations of somewhere brand new to you.

Time takes on new meaning, you are totally “in the moment” when traveling.

Unexpected and unique ways to unplug and step away from the urge to gravitate toward your technology.

Value and validation comes in the voyage, vision, and new-to-you view and vantage point of vacations.

Wanderlust gives you the chance to coddiwample: wander forth freely without a destination.

‘Xcursions can give you ‘xactly what you need if you approach travel with an open mind.

You can feel young at heart as you travel, since you are never to old to learn and experience something new. 

Zeal for life and zen moments abound as travel reignites passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the world around you.

From our virtual travel companion, Rick Steves (who was only a Kindle book away): 

“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.” 

We came home with all of that -- and all of the above -- for sure!

Earth Hour 2025 Is Here... And So Is World Water Day

If you saw my last post, you saw the "Save the Date" for tonight's Earth Hour. (If you didn't, go back and do so to up your learning potential!)

Your mission: Turn off your lights from 8:30-9:30 pm in your time zone. In doing so you take a stand with the environment by being a part of a global event, raising awareness for environmental sustainability, and promoting the importance of conserving energy.

As it happens, March 22nd is also World Water Day, as it is annually. (Earth Hour is usually the 4th Saturday of the March.) This United Nations Environmental Day was created to emphasize the global importance of clean water access to everyone.

This year's theme is "Glacier Preservation.

So perhaps while you are flipping the switch to turn out your lights this year for Earth Hour, you'll stop and think a bit about what a precious resource water is... and of ways to conserve water too!

To learn more, go to the UN World Water Day site and check out their many resources.  You can also check out WWF's list of 8 Water Scarcity Facts.

And, before you leave to go ready yourself for Earth Hour, check out this infographic:

Images from https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day, https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day/resources and https://airtable.com/app94t8jNhtOlADJB/shrcI29B30yOtAbo0/tblHs7wUvNUu12Ex9

Save the Date: Earth Hour 2025: March 22, 2025, 8:30--9:30 pm In Your Time Zone

2025 makes the 19th year of the global event Earth Hour. This annual, global event is organized by World Wildlife Fun, after starting in 2007 as a grassroots effort in Sydney, Australia. Last year marked the biggest one yet, with over 1.4 million supporters in over 80 countries and territories "banking" how they dedicated their hour spent. 

What to do:

Turn off all non-essential lights from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm in your local time. This is for everyone--individuals and businesses. Landmarks worldwide have even taken part in this light's out effort. See this video to see what landmark locations turned off during Earth Hour 2024. What are you going to do: play games by candlelight, go on night hikes, or sit with friends by a bonfire? These are all great ways to celebrate. Need more ideas? Check out the GTG archives!

Why it matters: 

Does one hour of lights out across the globe during one day make a substantial difference? No. However, it is a symbolic commitment to the planet. It is a global moment of unity. It sparks conversation. It raises awareness of energy consumption, promotes environmental sustainability (beyond just Earth Hour), and it serves as a way to advocate on behalf of nature.

 Earth Hour Resources:

• The About Page on the Earth Hour website leads you to lots of information about their history and why this hour matters.
• A History of Earth Hour Milestones Timeline
• Their Give an Hour for Earth inspiration page of ideas about what you can do to spend your time in a meaningful way.
• Earth Hour for Youth--including Education packs and other resources for families and teachers.
• "Up Your Knowledge" with learning links to find out more about environmental issues.
• WWF's Earth Hour website and resources
• Take part in Challenge 60--where you give multiple hours to move us forward!

Video from https://youtu.be/kov2a3XRLyE?si=bhVFcPwQJ8ZA03eT, Image from https://www.earthhour.org.au/event/switch-off-2025/supporter-tools

Lunar Eclipse Ahead: March 13--14, 2025

Mark your calendar, there's a "Blood Moon" ahead. Named due to the red coloring a lunar eclipse offers, it's not as scary as it sounds, however it does come with its own folklore due to the life and times before science figured out what a lunar eclipse is:

• The ancient Incas believed it was a sign of their moon goddess Mama Quilla's being attacked by a jaguar. The noise of howling dogs would help scare the jaguar away and bring back the bright full moon.
• The ancient Mesopotamians hid their king during a lunar eclipse to protect him from danger of attack, parading out a faux king instead.
• In India, it was seen as a bad omen. People covered their food and performed cleaning rituals as a form of protection.
• Native American tribes of Hupa & Luiseno saw the moon as injured or ill, so tribal members would sing songs of healing.
• The people of Togo and Benin in Africa saw it as an argument between Sun and Moon, which helped them put aside old feuds as a sign of reverence.
• Old Testament Christian beliefs tie it to the wrath of God and the beginning of the end.

However, science negates it all. A lunar eclipse is when the sun, Earth, and a full moon all line up, and the moon travels in the Earth's shadow.

We have one ahead here this week during the late night of March 13th and the morning of March 14th. It will be visible in parts of every continent except Antarctica. You can check out a video visualization of the photo below at the NASA Scientific Visualization Studio.

To learn even more about what a lunar eclipse here with SciShow Kids. (Notice, this video is older and details an upcoming 2015 lunar eclipse).

You can also check out these resources to learn more... before going outside and checking it out yourself!

• Space.com: "What is a Blood Moon?"
• NASA.com:  "What You Need To Know About the March 2025 Total Lunar Eclipse"
• Kiddle.co: "Lunar Eclipse Facts for Kids"
• Forbes: ""

This is a screenshot from the Forbes' article on the timing when you might be able to see it in your area of the United States.

Image from https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/moon-to-turn-red-wednesday-total-lunar-eclipse/950118 and https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-march-2025-total-lunar-eclipse/, and https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/03/06/blood-moon-2025-ultimate-viewing-guide-to-north-americas-total-lunar-eclipse/; video from https://youtu.be/_UH_h99CI1Q?si=1oSX06WRrwnvA3Sk

Grist's Interactive Tool on Climate & Inrfastructure Funding

As a person who has been writing an environmental, edtech, and innovation blog for 15 years, it has surprised me from time to time when something that should be very non-partisan becomes very partisan indeed. No truer is that than now with the current U.S. administration and the whirlwind of major changes nationally this last 6-7 weeks following the Inauguration in January.

Theoretically, we all should want a cleaner & healthier environment for ourselves and our children, a strong educational system that helps the youth of America rise to be the best and the brightest, willing to think outside the box to solve current problems to make for a strong and dynamic future. Politics & tech leaders during this administration (and numerous times over the last decade) have made this a harried and sometimes highly loaded conversation these days for sure, with people having strong opinions on both sides in this very partisan place we now all live in my country.

Given all of this, we need resources. We live in an age of data and doing our own research, so here's a resource.

Grist, an online publication dedicated to climate change solutions, has created this interactive tool. Entitled "Where Did Billions in Climate & Infrastructure Funding Go," this clickable map of the United States allows you to enter your zip code to see what projects are being funded--and what are currently being frozen--near you. You can investigate by governmental agency, category (ex: transportation, clean energy, broadband, clean water, etc.), or the act funding it. By funneling in on an area and a project near you, you can find out more details about it's funding, including in some places linked to federal databases which can reveal whether or not the funds have found their way to that project. 

It serves as a really good way to help determine how the federal government freezes can, will, or are affecting your local area. 

Image screenshot from https://grist.org/accountability/climate-infrastructure-ira-bil-map-tool/?utm_campaign=fy25-membership-special-email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=membership-email

Learning Through Laughter: Comedy & Climate Change

Grist is an online environmental publication which has been around since 1999--25 glorious Grist years. Focusing on the intersection of justice, equity, and the environment--particularly climate change. There is always a wealth of news stories on what is going on in the world.

I ran cross this article recently: Moving From Climate Doomerism to Optimism Through Humor (published 1-28-2025). For years there has been talk about how "doomerism" is NOT the way to inspire climate action. Instead it brings a fatalistic approach and heavy duty "doom & gloom" is only exhausting versus inspirational. Remove all hope and people wonder--why try, we're going to hell in a hand basket anyway. Hope is what is necessary, and I've written about that a time or two: here, here, and here.

The premise of this Grist article agrees: 

“Learning through comedy is like the old saying: take a spoonful of sugar, and it makes the medicine go down. I think that is true,” [director Morgan] Sackett said.

We can all take a lesson from content creators on social media: humor can definitely bring both the clicks and awareness to all sorts of issues: social justice, climate & other environmental action, politics, and more. In fact, if you are really creative and met the December 2024 deadline, the Natural Resources Defense Council ran a $20,000 Climate Storytelling Fellowship grant. For the 4th year in a row, 3 winners (either individual or writing teams) will receive the grant for a screenplay or pilot that creates a storyline with an impactful them addressing climate change. You can find an interesting take on comedy and climate change in the Sundance panel discussion "The Last Laugh: Comedy in the Age of Climate Change.”

To bring some levity and hope to climate change and knowing that laughter is indeed the best medicine, these PSAs (public service announcements) and/or commercials made me smile:

Videos from https://youtu.be/T5Us69fSM9M?si=MUnuYxcZZvVyvQe-, https://youtu.be/Y-CAMC8saDc?si=uMlLg3EC6mx1Ur6u, https://youtu.be/-DEc16dEMns?si=_WrILi-IJlfYiIxP; Image created at canva.com

Favorite Finds From FETC 2025

A few posts ago I wrote about my fabulous experience in January at FETC. 

I have been sorting through all of the amazing resources and wanted to share a list of the 25 new favorite websites and online resources--dialing in more than just my favorite sessions, but more into some of the websites I've been diving into since being at home. (I'm sure it won't surprise you the high number of AI-oriented websites. It's everywhere, including built into many teacher/school-oriented websites!)

Items with 🌟 are my personal favorites, and where I'd start if you are just toe-dipping in or looking for just a few tools to try! I most certainly haven't had the opportunity to play with them all, but am looking forward to giving them a go! (Might be a summer project!)

These are the tools I went in knowing about and have had some experience with, so they certainly get honorable mention! I get that they may not be known to everyone, hence why I included this list here!

• 🌟 Canva EDU & the Magic Media tools that are embedded in--I've written about this many times. Start here to learn more. Polls & Quizzes are new and there's an endless amount of cool tools here.

• 🌟 Chat GPT--We've been hearing a lot about this one for the last 2 years. Here's my first post on that subject. 

• Microsoft CoPilot--Think ChatGPT but the Microsoft's version.

• Curipod--Generate lessons & presentations with this classroom tool for teachers

• Khanmigo--click here to read my whole blog post on that.

🌟 Google Notebook LM

• Upload your own documents (ex: standards, operating manuals, your own notes) or website addresses and then you can use it similar to ChatGPT to ask questions off this uploaded data set--your own self-created ChatGPT
• Creates organized note summaries and adds tags for referencing
• Can generate timelines of dates listed in
• The program creates a podcast of the research and questions to assist in your own learning, so your notes literally are talking to you.
• Integrates with Google Tools
• 18 and up in terms of service so this is more of a teacher tool, but one I'm clearly very excited about!

Google Learn About

• Still experimental through Google Labs
• Brings in sources from many and includes exploration links
• Great for ready to use supplemental teaching resources on different topics

Napkin.AI

• Helps you create simple images for presentations through a drag-and-drop interface
• Works as a visual thinking tool for connecting ideas and concepts.
• The beauty of this tool is its simplicity--both in use and the images it creates.

🌟 Quizzizz

• Similar to the gamification of Kahoot but with greater capability and instant feedback
• Make quiz on anything, including pictures or websites
• Integrates with Google Classroom and other learning management systems.
• Allows for teacher reports and analytics to track student performance.
• In the free version, you can create 20 games and then delete and create more--the paid version allows for the creation of more quizzes.

Brisk Teaching

• An AI-powered lesson planning tool that aligns to curricular standards.
• Built-in tools for assessment as well as strategies to differentiate lessons.
• Integrates with Google tools and YouTube.

Gamma AI

• AI presentation and storytelling tool where you can create slides/visuals based on your prompt.
• Includes interactive elements like polls and quizzes to add in.

Magic School AI

• Tools for creating classroom materials like lesson plans, worksheets, activities, and assessments.
• Allows for differentiation and has built in interventions for students who are struggling.
• Has an AI chat integrated to assist students and help answer their questions during assignments.

School AI

• Though the name is similar to the one above, this is more of an AI integration tool for the teachers, their administrative tasks, and tracking student performance. 
• Shows insights into learning gaps or trends from the collected data.
• Free for teachers, paid subscriptions for student use

Suno

• AI music creator tool for generating original songs, narrating lessons, creating voice overs, or adding audible content.
• Has a text-to-speech generator with customizable voice options, including adding in different languages 
• The audio files can be exported for use in lesson plans or presentations.

🌟 WeWillWrite.com

• This is a social & collaborative writing game/tool--kind of like Kahoot with its gamification, but it makes writing more social and engaging.
• Students login with class code that the teacher creates.
• Point out literary elements, grammar, style, and tone in student writing. 
• Energizes writing when you need a boost

Snorkl

• An AI tool for differentiation and intervention for struggling learners
• Teachers can customize learning paths for students by the questions they upload, then set the parameter as to what type of feedback students get. 
• Depending on settings teachers create, students can go back and correct their answers.

🌟 FigJam

• With Google Jamboard gone, this is the next iteration of endless real-time collaboration whiteboard canvas for classrooms.
• It has the online sticky notes that Jamboard had, but also diagrams, templates, and other brainstorming sketch tools.

🌟 Quick, Draw! With Google

• This is great for teaching "machine learning" (the basis of how AI data sets are created), so you could argue it could go in the AI section. However, it does kind of go deeper than that. 
• It's an AI-based doodling game, making it fun to see if Google can guess your drawing.
• Gives instant feedback on drawings 
• Great way to introduce AI concepts & encourage creativity.

Teachable Machine

• A good follow up to Quick, Draw! with Google for exploring machine learning.
• Shows users how to train machine learning models through a user-friendly interface without coding but through images, sounds, or personal poses.
• Allows for real-time training and testing of their models within the browser.
• For all you tech/engineering teachers out there--you can take it to the next tech level and add a computer science component by adding arduinos or Raspberry Pi controllers.

🌟 Code.org's Ocean AI

• Coding lessons combining AI, STEM, ocean preservation, and environmental education! Go green!
• Tutorials using drag-and-drop coding make it great for beginners to see real world problem solving.

🌟 Padlet 

• Padlet has been around for awhile as a way to create collaborative visual boards as a way to share ideas, videos, and links in real time.
• Variety of board formats to choose from: grid, timeline, map.
• It now has AI components built in that include building Padlets by prompt, "I Can't Draw" AI image generators, and multimedia generators based on text prompts to help build out what you want to create.
• The paid version gets you more features and the ability to create more boards.

🌟 Helperbird Google Chrome Extension

• Use this chrome extension accessibility tool to help support anyone with dyslexia, trouble focusing, or other learning challenges. 
• Adapt fonts for readability on websites. 
• Has text-to-speech tools, tools for summarizing text, and immersive reading mode
• There is a paid version, but the free version is incredibly robust for reading and writing support.

🌟 The Achievery

• Free digital learning platform created by AT&T for K-12 covering these subjects: math, digital literacy, English language arts, social emotional learning, technology and engineering, digital arts, and science.
• Features clips from popular WarnerMedia films and TV shows, pairing lessons with standard-aligned activities.
• There are some really great lessons tied to digital literacy, AI ethics, and more.

Elementari

• Like a "chose your own adventure" for coding with kids to connect creativity with digital storytelling.
• Templates for creating interactive digital stories along with student-friendly tools for adding illustrations, animations, and narration
• Library of pre-made stories for inspiration or direct use.
• Free and paid levels are both available.

Header images from my computer! Logos from each website.